FAQS

What is the Community Action Marin Dream Home Raffle?

Community Action Marin's Dream House Raffle is the first, and longest running house raffle in the Bay Area. The raffle aims to raise funds for Community Action Marin in its continuing effort to provide assistance to individuals, families, and children most on need in Marin County. In addition to providing much needed funding for Community Action Marin, the raffle will give away cash prizes ranging from 25 thousand to five hundred dollars, and the grand prize; a beautiful, two million dollar home located in Marin County, or $1.5 million as an alternative cash prize.

How do I purchase raffle tickets?

It’s easy. Just call our toll free number 1-888-908-7667, or go to our raffle web site at www.marinraffle.com. There, you’ll find all the information you need to purchase your ticket by mail or fax. Simply print out the form provided and fax it to 415-762-5262 or, mail your entry form to: CAM Dream House Raffle 29 Mary St San Rafael, CA 94901

What are the prizes?

First Early Bird Drawing:
First Prize: $25,000
Second Prize: $10,000,
Third Prize: $5,000
Entry Deadline: Friday September 30, 2011

Second Early Bird Drawing: Prizes:
First Prize: $25,000
Second Prize: $10,000
Third Prize: $5,000,
Entry Deadline: Friday October 28, 2011

Third Early Bird Drawing: Prizes:
First Prize: $25,000
Second Prize: $10,000
Third Prize: $5,000
Entry Deadline: Friday December 2, 2011

Fourth Early Bird Drawing: Prizes:
First Prize: $25,000
Second Prize: $10,000,
Third Prize: $5,000
Entry Deadline: Friday January 13, 2012

Multi-Ticket Drawing:
1st Prize: $25,000 cash
2nd Prize: $10,000 cash
3rd Prize: $5,000 cash
Entry Deadline: Friday February 10, 2012

Refer-A-Friend Drawing:
Prize: $10,000
Entry Deadline: Friday February 10, 2012

Grand Prize Drawing:
Grand Prize: $2,000,000, Marin County Dream House or $1,500,000 cash
2nd Prize: $25,000
3rd Prize: $10,000
4th Prize: (2ea.) $5,000
5th Prize: (5ea.) $1,000
6th Prize (100ea) $500,
Entry Deadline: Friday February 10, 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? ?

Approximately four weeks. All tickets purchased before an entry deadline are included in a drawing even if the customer's ticket receipt 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. Community Action Marin 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 CAM 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 two million dollar Dream Home or $1,500,000 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.

How many prizes are awarded?

In addition to the grand prize, there will cash prizes awarded at the final drawing ranging from $25,000 to $500. There are also four “Early Bird Drawings”.

What are the Early Bird Drawings?

There are four (4) 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, any subsequent early bird drawing if applicable, 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 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 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

When is the Early Bird Drawing 3?

All tickets purchased by December 2, 2011 will be entered into the Early Bird Drawing 3. The Early Bird Drawing 3 will take place on December 16, 2011.

What are the prizes for entering the Early Drawing 3?

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

When is the Early Bird Drawing 4?

All tickets purchased by January 13, 2012 will be entered into the Early Bird Drawing 4. The Early Bird Drawing 4 will take place on January 27, 2012

What is the Multi-Ticket Drawing?

Any individual who buys more than one ticket will be entered into an additional Multi-Ticket Drawing for $40,000 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, February 10, 2012. 1st Prize: $25,000 cash. 2nd Prize: $10,000 cash. 3rd Prize: $5,000 cash.

What is the Refer-A-Friend Drawing?

For every person who purchases a ticket and provides your name as a ticket purchaser at the time of their purchase, you will receive one ticket entry specifically for the ”Refer a Friend” Drawing. If two people you’ve referred 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, February 10, 2012. The “Refer-A-Friend” Prize: $10,000

Who benefits from this raffle?

Well, Community Action Marin’ programs of course, but our raffle has awarded over six million dollars through our first four raffles; this year, we’ll surpass 7 million dollars in prizes given away. For those who don’t win a prize, knowing that the price of a ticket helps those most in need in our community is often personally gratifying. Everyone is a winner in Community Action Marin’s Dream House Raffle .

When does the raffle start and when does it end?

The raffle begins on September 1, 2011 and ends at midnight on February 10, 2012. If all tickets are sold before the February 10th 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 16, 2011. The Early Bird Drawing 4 will be held on Friday, January 27, 2012. The Grand Prize Drawing, Multi-Ticket Drawing and Refer-A-Friend Drawing will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Community Action Marin offices at 29 Mary Street, San Rafael CA. Community Action Marin reserves the right to change the drawing dates to be held earlier if all tickets are sold before February 10, 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.

Who can buy a raffle ticket?

Any person 18 years of age with a United States, Canadian, or US military address. Employees and members of the Board of Directors of Community Action Marin, employees of their agents, 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 Community Action Marin, may be required from prize winners.

Are CAM 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, CAM will withhold required federal taxes for all prizes of $5,000 or more in accordance with federal law and CAM 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 CAM raffle web site, a list of winners may be obtained from Community Action Marin by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to CAM Dream House Raffle, 29 Mary St, San Rafael, CA 94901 within one week of the Grand Prize Drawing date.

How do I get more information on Community Action Marin?

Please visit www.camarin.org or call 415-526-7500.

How can I make a tax-deductible contribution to Community Action

Marin?

Please visit www.camarin.org/donate.html or call the CAM Director of Development, Russ Hamel at 415-526-7500.

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 through Community Action Marin’s Director of Development at raffle@camarin.org or, call 415-526-7575.