4th Annual San Francisco Dream House Raffle to Benefit Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Overview
Early Bird #3 Deadline: May 25

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the San Francisco Dream House Raffle to Benefit YBCA?

The San Francisco Dream House Raffle is a large fundraiser. The raffle aims to raise funds for Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in its continuing effort to support the arts in San Francisco. In addition to supporting YBCA, the raffle will be giving away over 100 prizes, of which the grand prize is a $2.9 million San Francisco dream home or $1.5 million in cash.

How do I purchase raffle tickets?

  • Call toll free 1-800-870-7886, or
  • Download an entry form from www.sfraffle.com and:
    • Fax it to: 415-325-5775, or
    • Mail the entry form to:
      YBCA Dream House Raffle
      701 Mission St
      San Francisco, CA 94103

What are the prizes?

  • First Early Bird Drawing:
    • Prizes: $25,000 cash, $10,000 cash, $5,000 cash
    • Entry Deadline: Friday March 30, 2012
  • Second Early Bird Drawing:
    • Prizes: $15,000, $10,000, $5,000, five prizes of $1,000 each
    • Entry Deadline: Friday April 27, 2012
  • Third Early Bird Drawing:
    • Prizes: 1st Prize: $10,000, 2nd Prize: $5,000, 3rd Prize: $1,000, 4th Prize: $1,000, 5th Prize: $1,000
    • Entry Deadline: Friday May 25, 2012
  • Multi-Ticket Drawing:
    • 1st Prize: 2012 Porsche Boxster or $30,000 cash
    • 2nd Prize: European Vacation or $10,000 cash
    • 3rd Prize: Hawaiian Vacation or $5,000 cash
    • Entry Deadline: Friday June 22, 2012
  • Refer-A-Friend Drawing:
    • Prize: A 2012 Smart Car or $15,000
    • Entry Deadline: Friday June 22, 2012
  • Grand Prize Drawing:
    • Grand Prize: $2,900,000 Dream House or $1,500,000
    • 2nd Prize: $25,000
    • 3rd Prize: $10,000
    • 4th Prize: $5,000
    • 5th Prize: $2,000
    • Prizes 6-10: $1,000 each
    • Prizes 11-15: $500 each
    • Prizes 16-100: $300 each
    • Entry Deadline Friday June 22, 2012

Do you accept applications by email or sell tickets on the internet?

No. Pursuant to California statutory regulations and to section 320.5 of the Penal Code, charitable raffle tickets may not be sold or accepted on the internet.

How long will it take to receive my ticket in the mail?

At least four weeks. All tickets purchased before an entry deadline are included in a drawing even if the customer's portion of the ticket arrives after the drawing date.

Is this Dream House Raffle legal?

Yes it is. In the summer of 2001, the California Legislature amended the state constitution to allow eligible non-profit organizations to conduct raffles as a means of raising funds. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is registered with the California Attorney General's Office to conduct this charitable raffle.

Will the drawing be audited?

Yes, an independent accounting agency will audit the raffle as well as supervise the early bird drawings, the multi-ticket drawing, the refer-a-friend drawing, and the grand prize drawing.

How much does a raffle ticket cost?

Each raffle ticket costs $150.

How many raffle tickets can I buy?

You may buy as many tickets as you like.

How many raffle tickets will be sold?

Only 40,000 tickets will be sold. The chances of winning are based on that number. If fewer tickets are sold, the chances of winning the Grand prize and other prizes improve. Purchasing more than one ticket increases the chances of winning.

What are the odds of winning?

The odds of winning the $2,900,000 Dream House or $1,500,000 in cash are based on the number of tickets sold. If all tickets are sold the odds of winning the Grand Prize are 1 in 40,000. There are over 100 other prizes also available increasing your odds of winning a prize.

How many prizes are awarded?

In addition to the grand prize, there will be over 100 other prizes ranging from $25,000 to $300.

What are the Early Bird Drawings?

There are three Early Bird Drawings. This is meant to encourage people to purchase tickets sooner rather than later. If you purchase a ticket before an early bird deadline you are included in the early bird drawing, the subsequent early bird drawings AND included in the grand prize drawing. All tickets entered into the early bird drawings, as well as early bird drawing winners are included in the grand prize drawing.

When is the Early Bird Drawing 1?

All tickets purchased by March 30, 2012 will be entered into the Early Bird Drawing 1. The Early Bird Drawing will take place on Thursday April 12, 2012.

What are the prizes for entering the Early Drawing 1?

  • First Prize: $25,000
  • Second Prize: $10,000
  • Third Prize: $5,000

When is the Early Bird Drawing 2?

All tickets purchased by April 27, 2012 will be entered into the Early Bird Drawing 2. The Early Bird Drawing 2 will take place on Thursday May 10, 2012.

What are the prizes for entering the Early Drawing 2?

  • First Prize: $15,000
  • Second Prize: $10,000
  • Third Prize: $5,000
  • Fourth Prize: $1,000
  • Fifth Prize: $1,000
  • Sixth Prize: $1,000
  • Seventh Prize: $1,000
  • Eighth Prize: $1,000

When is the Early Bird Drawing 3?

All tickets purchased by May 25, 2012 will be entered into the Early Bird Drawing 3. The Early Bird Drawing 3 will take place on Thursday June 7, 2012.

What are the prizes for entering the Early Drawing 3?

  • First Prize: $10,000
  • Second Prize: $5,000
  • Third Prize: $1,000
  • Fourth Prize: $1,000
  • Fifth Prize: $1,000

What is the Multi-Ticket Drawing?

Any individual who buys more than one ticket, will be entered into an additional Multi-Ticket Drawing for $45,000 in luxury prizes. Entrants that purchase two tickets will receive two entries into the Multi-Ticket Drawing. Entrants that purchase three tickets will receive three entries into the Multi-Ticket Drawing, etc. For those entrants who buy more than one ticket, in order to qualify for the Multiple Ticket Drawing, all subsequent tickets purchased must be identical to the first one purchased; same name with matching address. To be eligible, ticket order with payment must be received before all 40,000 tickets are sold and in any event by Friday, June 22, 2012.

  • 1st Prize: 2012 Porsche Boxster or $30,000 cash
  • 2nd Prize: European Vacation or $10,000 cash
  • 3rd Prize: Hawaiian Vacation or $5,000 cash

What is the Refer-A-Friend Drawing?

For every person who purchases a ticket and provides your name at the time of purchase, you will receive one ticket entry specifically for the Refer a Friend Drawing. If two people you refer each purchase a separate ticket, you will receive two entries, if three people you refer each purchase separate tickets, you will receive three entries, etc. Drawing will be held at the time of the Grand Prize drawings. To be eligible, ticket order with payment and referral must be received before all 40,000 tickets are sold and in any event by Friday, June 22, 2012.

  • Refer-A-Friend Prize: A 2012 Smart Car or $15,000

Who benefits from this raffle?

The prize winners as well as Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

When does the raffle start and when does it end?

The raffle begins on February 27, 2012 and ends on June 22, 2012. If all tickets are sold before the June 22nd deadline, the raffle will end sooner.

When will the prize drawings be held?

  • The Early Bird Drawing 1 will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2012.
  • The Early Bird Drawing 2 will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2012.
  • The Early Bird Drawing 3 will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2012.
  • The Grand Prize Drawing, Multi-Ticket Drawing and Refer-A-Friend Drawing will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
  • Yerba Buena Center for the Arts reserves the right to change the drawing dates to be held earlier if all tickets are sold before June 22, 2012.

Do I have to be present to win?

No.

How will the winners be notified?

Winners will be notified by phone based on the contact information provided at the time of ticket purchase. The winning names will also be posted on this website shortly after the drawing.

Who can buy a raffle ticket?

Any person 18 years of age or older. Employees and members of the Board of Directors of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, employees of their agents, consultants, attorney, independent accountant firm, their spouses and children living in the same household are excluded from participating and are not eligible to win a prize. All federal, state, local laws and regulations apply. The raffle is void where prohibited or restricted by law. An affidavit of eligibility, provided by Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, may be required from prize winners.

Are raffle tickets tax-deductible?

No. The IRS does not allow raffle tickets to be a tax-deductible contribution.

Are raffle prizes considered income?

Yes. In addition, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts will withhold required federal taxes for all prizes of $5,000 or more in accordance with federal law and the organization will remit the balance of the cash prizes to the winner. All prize winners of $1,000 or more will be required to submit an IRS Form 5750 and a W-2G in order to be awarded the prize.

Are there legal rules and regulations?

Yes. They may be viewed under the Rules and Regulations section of this web site.

How do I redeem my prize?

Prize winners will be contacted according to the contact information provided at the time of ticket purchase. In addition to a list of winners posted on the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts raffle web site, a list of winners may be obtained from YBCA by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: YBCA Dream House Raffle, 701 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103, within one week of the Grand Prize Drawing date.

How do I get more information on Yerba Buena Center for the Arts?

Please visit http://www.ybca.org/ or call 415-978-2700.

How can I make a tax-deductible contribution to Yerba Buena Center for the Arts?

Please visit http://www.ybca.org/join/donate/ or call the YBCA Director of Development, Charles Ward at 415-321-1341.

Still have questions about the raffle that aren't answered here?

Please visit the Rules and Regulations section of this web site or contact the raffle office: office@sfraffle.com.