Chicago Dream House Raffle to Benefit the Hope Institute for Children and Families

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chicago Dream House Raffle?

The Chicago Dream House Raffle is a large fundraiser. The raffle aims to raise funds for The Hope Institute for Children and Families in its continuing effort to help children with developmental disabilities and their families across Illinois. In addition to supporting The Hope Institute, the raffle will be giving away over 350 prizes, of which the grand prize is a $1.2 million Chicago dream home or $1 million in cash.

How do I purchase raffle tickets?

Online at www.chicagoraffle.com
Call toll free 1-800-697-7734, or
Download an entry form from www.chicagoraffle.com and:
- Fax it to: 312-254-5014, or
- Mail the entry form to:
  Chicago Dream House Raffle
  The Hope Institute
  15 East Hazel Dell Lane
  Springfield, IL 62712

What are the prizes?

First Early Bird Drawing:
- 1st Prize: $25,000
- 2nd Prize: $10,000
- 3rd Prize: $5,000
- Entry Deadline: Friday September 30, 2011
Second Early Bird Drawing:
- Prizes: $25,000, $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, $1,000
- Entry Deadline: Friday October 28, 2011
Third Early Bird Drawing:
- Prizes: $15,000, $10,000, three prizes of $1,000 each
- Entry Deadline: Friday November 18, 2011
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 January 20, 2012
Refer-A-Friend Drawing:
- Prize: $10,000
- Entry Deadline: Friday January 20, 2012
Grand Prize Drawing:
- Grand Prize: $1,200,000 Dream House or $1,000,000 cash
- 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 16-350: $150 each
- Entry Deadline Friday January 20, 2012

How long will it take to receive my ticket receipt?

Ticket receipts are sent via email shortly after an order is processed. Ticket receipts may also be picked up in person from our Headquarters, located at 15 East Hazel Dell Lane Springfield, IL 62712. 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. The Hope Institute is licensed by the Sangamon County Clerk to conduct this charitable raffle.

Will the drawing be audited?

Yes, an independent raffle auditor 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 35,000 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 $1,200,000 Dream House or $1,000,000 in cash are based on the number of tickets sold. If all tickets are sold the odds of winner the Grand Prize are 1 in 35,000. The odds of winning a prize of $150 or more are at least 1 in 100.

How many prizes are awarded?

In addition to the grand prize, there will be 349 other prizes ranging from $25,000 to $150.

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 September 30, 2011 will be entered into the Early Bird Drawing 1. The Early Bird Drawing will take place on Friday October 14, 2011.

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 October 28, 2011 will be entered into the Early Bird Drawing 2. The Early Bird Drawing 2 will take place on Friday November 11, 2011.

What are the prizes for entering the Early Drawing 2?

First Prize: $25,000
Second Prize: $10,000
Third Prize: $5,000
Fourth Prize: $2,500
Fifth Prize: $1,000

When is the Early Bird Drawing 3?

All tickets purchased by November 18, 2011 will be entered into the Early Bird Drawing 3. The Early Bird Drawing will take place on Friday December 2, 2011.

What are the prizes for entering the Early Drawing 3?

First Prize: $15,000
Second Prize: $10,000
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 35,000 tickets are sold and in any event by Friday, January 20, 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 35,000 tickets are sold and in any event by Friday, January 20, 2012.

Refer-A-Friend Prize: $10,000

Who benefits from this raffle?

The prize winners as well as The Hope Institute.

When does the raffle start and when does it end?

The raffle begins on September 5, 2011 and ends on January 20, 2012. If all tickets are sold before the January 20 deadline, the raffle will end sooner.

When will the prize drawings be held?

The Early Bird Drawing 1 will be held on Friday, October 14, 2011.
The Early Bird Drawing 2 will be held on Friday, November 11, 2011.
The Early Bird Drawing 3 will be held on Friday, December 2, 2011.
The Grand Prize Drawing, Multi-Ticket Drawing and Refer-A-Friend Drawing will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at The Hope Institute in Springfield, IL.

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 is eligible to enter the raffle. The Hope Institute for Children and Families employees, members of the board of directors, authorized agents and employees thereof, consultants, attorneys, and their spouses and children living in the same household are not eligible to win a prize. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. The raffle is void where prohibited or restricted by law.

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, The Hope Institute 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 Chicago Dream House Raffle web site, a list of winners may be obtained from The Hope Institute by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Chicago Dream House Raffle, 15 East Hazel Dell Lane Springfield, IL 62712, within one week of the Grand Prize Drawing date.