Generate More Funds at Your Event with a Quick Game of Heads or Tails
Heads or Tails Fundraising Game
Do you want to add more fun and raise more funds at your event? Why not try a quick game of Heads or Tails. It is a simple fundraising idea, easy to manage and all guests can participate. All you need is a two-sided coin, an energetic presenter, a willing audience and a prize for the winner.
Heads or Tails is a perfect revenue boost for events where your audience is seated. However, it can be adapted to fit most gatherings. We recommend playing it towards the beginning of your program after the introductions, but before the main event; e.g. live auction or speaker. This gets people off their feet and energized for your feature event.
Here is how it works:
You will need to sell chances or entry to play. As in a raffle you can sell to guests as they check-in, as they mingle or at their seats. You can give them something like a gold star, sticker, rubber bracelet or stamp their hand to identify they have paid to participate. Having something other guests can see is better so they question “how did they get or why” they have the star or rubber bracelet which will also help in selling more chances.
Once everyone that wants to play has paid, the fun can begin. Your emcee or presenter will ask that all Heads & Tails participants stand and ask them to choose either “heads” (shown by putting their hands on their head) or “tails” (shown by putting their hands on their rear ends). The emcee will then toss the coin calling out the result, “Heads” or “Tails”. Those whose hands are placed to match side of the coin tossed, remain standing. All others must sit and have been eliminated. The presenter will again repeat the instructions on placing their hands on their heads or their tails and will flip the coin again. This is done until you have one remaining guest standing who will be deemed the winner. Even with a large crowd, this process does not take more than a few minutes and about 6-7 tosses. A smaller crowd will go even quicker. It is interactive and a lot of fun for the guests, goes fast and can raise additional funds for your organization. You may want to offer two rounds if you have two nice prizes.
Things you’ll need, and need to decide for your Heads or Tails game
- Game Price – The price charged should be based on the type of event, audience and the prize offered. For smaller events try a smaller fee for larger more formal events you can charge a larger fee. Increments of $5, $10 or $20 are recommended prices because you will not have as many issues making change. If your event is an auction let guests pay with their bid number and add it to their total event bill.
- Participant Identifier – Consider something fun that will go with the theme of your event; e.g., a plastic beaded necklace, blinking light or rubber bracelet. For smaller events you can use a raffle type ticket, a sticker or a stamp on the hand.
- Prize(s) – You could use a silent auction item for the prize, gift certificates, a nice bottle of wine for the table or a unique opportunity. You could make it a 50/50 prize, but then you will only earn half of the funds. The prize should be nice, but not too high-priced. Most people want to support your cause and really like the thrill of being part of the game.
Add a New Twist to the Traditional Heads or Tails Game
At a recent event, in the middle of a spirited game of Heads or Tails, we had guests offering dollar amounts 4-5 times the entry fee to get back into the game. They were waving cash in the air. What a fabulous opportunity we were offered. We certainly did not want to upset any of the guests still standing and in the game, but also did not want to dismiss this opportunity to raise more funds for this group. Because we had not mentioned a buy-back in option upfront when selling chances to play, we quickly took a poll of those guests still in the game. Fortunately, they were very supportive of this organization and were happy to help raise more revenue for their cause. By allowing guests to buy-back in at 4 times the rate at about the half way mark, an additional $1,000 was raised. Further, we received rave reviews from this interactive game. Guests said they loved being part of the program and getting out of their seats and routing for their friends and table mates.
From this profitable and positive experience, we wanted to offer some details on how to offer a buy-back option for you to consider in your planning.
- First, you should clearly state that you will be offering a buy-back option to keep everyone informed, happy and ready to play.
- Make sure you have a desired prize for the winner to inspire greater interest among all your guests.
- Establish your intervals for the buy-back option and the fees for each interval option. You could offer only one buy-back in opportunity at a specific number of coin flips or two to three, but would we would not recommend more. You don’t want to cut into your other agenda for the event. For example, after three coin flips there will be a buy back option for 2-3 times your entry fee. Then again at the fifth coin flip with a 4-5 times the entry fee.
- Be prepared with plenty of volunteers ready to collect the buy-back in fees to keep things moving. You may also want to give them another form of identification like another colored sticker to identify they have bought back in.
- Remember to thank all the participants for playing to support your cause and what their participation will help fund. They will have a greater sense of satisfaction knowing how they have helped.
Know your audience and review your event set up to determine what options will work best for your group.
The purpose of your event is to raise funds, this is a painless way of boosting your bottom line and will only take a few minutes of your time. Don’t miss opportunities to boost your revenue at an event. Remember, everyone is there to support your organization or cause and won't be adverse about opening their wallets and purses again.
