Smart fundraising during FC Utrecht charity gala
Lottery and auction reinforce each other at a charity event
During a charity gala, FC Utrecht showed that it is more than just a football club. Through the FC Foundation, the club supports social projects in the region. To raise funds for these initiatives, they went all out — with an auction and a digital lottery, organized via Lotify platform.
The combination of an auction and a lottery deserves extra attention — because it's that mix that creates maximum engagement during an fundraising event. While the auction brings excitement and competition, the lottery gives everyone a chance to give back to a good cause. And it works: the highest proceeds ever for the Foundation.
"This record-breaking amount of €503.554 exceeded all expectations. This is fantastic."
– Thijs van Es, Algemeen Directeur FC Utrecht 2025
A lottery full of experiences
The digital lottery was tailored to the target audience: loyal FC Utrecht fans and supporters. For just €5 a ticket, participants had a shot at exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime prizes, such as:
A spot on the official FC Utrecht team photo
VIP skybox seats for a home match (for 10 people)
A padel match with two FC Utrecht players
These were experiences money can’t buy—literally. Not available in the fan shop, and all the more desirable for the fanbase. Prizes with emotional value, exclusivity, and true engagement. That’s what makes a lottery such a powerful fundraising tool.
Why a lottery works at charity events
More and more organizations are discovering the value of digital lotteries as a complement to auctions and other fundraising activities. FC Utrecht’s story highlights the key benefits:
A lottery engages a broader audience
It lowers the threshold to contribute
The combination of scale and experience drives higher returns
A lottery is not just a fun addition to your charity event – it’s a strategic tool that can make a real difference.
Take the example of Fonds Gehandicaptensport: during their own charity night, a digital lottery helped raise an impressive €28,900 in a single evening. Read how they did it!
