Bingo Fundraiser Checklist: Everything You Need for a Successful Bingo Night

Bingo fundraisers work because they're simple to understand, cheap to run, and genuinely fun for the people attending — which is exactly why churches, schools, lodges, and nonprofits keep coming back to them year after year. But a smooth bingo night depends on having the right supplies and structure in place before doors open, not scrambling once players are already seated.

The Short Answer 

A standard bingo fundraiser for 50–150 players needs five categories of supplies: bingo paper (or cards), daubers, a way to draw numbers, prizes, and a caller's set. Add raffle tickets or pull tabs if you want a secondary revenue stream beyond the entry fee. Below is the full breakdown, plus timing and pricing guidance.

Core Supply Checklist 

Bingo Paper or Cards

• 3on or 6on straight goods for general games (easiest for a mixed-age crowd)
• Consider collated books if you're running 8+ games in one session
• Add pattern paper for 1–2 Special Games late in the night to build excitement
• See our guide, How to Choose Bingo Paper for Your Event, for a full breakdown

Daubers

• Budget one dauber per 2–3 players if you're not selling daubers individually, or stock daubers for sale at the door as an add-on purchase
• Daubers by the dozen are the most cost-effective way to stock a large event

Number Draw Method

• A bingo cage or ball machine (electric blower) speeds up calling and adds credibility that numbers weren't pre-selected
• Bingo equipment and machines — floor models for larger halls, tabletop models for smaller rooms

Prizes

• Cash prizes are traditional and simple, but gift cards or donated items reduce your cash outlay and can double as sponsor recognition
• As a rough guideline, total prize payout should be roughly 40–60% of total entry revenue so the event feels worthwhile to players while still raising money for your cause

Caller Setup

• A calling board or master card so the caller and audience can both verify numbers
• A microphone if your room seats more than ~60 people

Add-On Revenue: Raffles and Pull Tabs 

Most successful bingo fundraisers don't rely on entry fees alone. Two low-effort add-ons consistently boost total revenue:

Raffle tickets sold between games for a secondary drawing. Raffle ticket rolls and raffle drums let you run this with almost no setup time.

Instant win pull tabs give players something to do (and something to win) between bingo rounds, without requiring a caller or additional staff time. See Bingo Pull Tabs & Instant Win Tickets  and our Pull Tabs Guide if you've never run these before.

Staffing a Bingo Fundraiser

For an event of 75–100 players, a workable staffing plan is:

• 1 caller (announces numbers, keeps pace)
• 2–3 floor volunteers (verify winning cards, sell daubers/raffle tickets, answer questions)
• 1 cashier (entry fees, add-on sales)
• 1 setup/prize table volunteer

Smaller events can combine roles; larger events (200+) generally add a second caller station or split the room.

Timeline: What to Order and When 

4–6 weeks out: Finalize expected attendance and game count, then order bingo paper, daubers, and any equipment you don't already own. Bulk paper orders don't expire, so it's safe to round up.

1–2 weeks out: Confirm prize sourcing, print flyers/tickets if pre-selling entry, and do a quick equipment check (cages, blowers) if it's been sitting in storage since the last event.

Day of: Set up the caller's station and prize table first, then tables/paper distribution stations, then raffle/pull tab sales area.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How much does it cost to run a bingo fundraiser?
Core supply costs for a 100-player event typically run in the low hundreds of dollars for paper, daubers, and prizes, not counting venue or equipment you already own — well below the entry fee revenue most groups collect.

What size event needs a bingo blower machine vs. a manual cage?
Manual cages work fine for smaller, informal events (under ~50 players). Once you're running larger or recurring events, an electric bingo blower speeds up calling and reduces caller fatigue over a multi-hour session. See bingo cages and bingo equipment for both options.

Do we need a license to run a bingo fundraiser?
Bingo and raffle licensing rules vary by state and municipality, and often depend on whether cash prizes are involved. Check with your local or state gaming authority before your first event — this guide covers supplies and logistics, not legal requirements.

What's the easiest way to add a second revenue stream without more staff?
Pull tabs are the lowest-effort add-on since players buy and open them independently between bingo games, without needing a caller or verification step.

Bingo Innovation supplies bingo paper, daubers, equipment, and raffle supplies for church, school, and nonprofit fundraisers nationwide. See our full Bingo Fundraiser Supplies page  or contact us for help planning your event.