Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four major prizes?

Please call (208) 769-3271 if you have additional questions.

Q: What is the cost of a ticket and how many tickets can I purchase? [Back to Top]
A: Tickets are $150 each and there are 5,000 available. There are no limits on how many tickets you can purchase.

Q: How many tickets are sold? [Back to Top]
A: Only 5,000 tickets are available. The drawing will take place as long as a minimum of 4,163 tickets are sold. Tickets have sold out every year for 29 years.

Q: Can I pool my cash with friends to buy a ticket? [Back to Top]
A: Yes, you can buy single or multiple tickets with friends and split the winnings. Be sure to include every participant's name on the ticket. The names listed will have legal rights to any winnings. The details involved in splitting the winnings will be the sole responsibility of the winners.

Q: Why can't I purchase tickets online? [Back to Top]
A: Due to gaming regulations, only Idaho residents can reserve tickets online. See eligibility guidelines.

Q: What is the process if I buy by phone or mail? [Back to Top]
A: Only Idaho residents can order tickets via mail or by phone. Tickets are usually processed and mailed within two weeks of receipt of payment.

Q: Do I have to be an Idaho resident to participate? [Back to Top]
A: Anyone can participate in the raffle, but tickets must be purchased in Idaho and will not be mailed across state lines due to charitable gaming regulations. To purchase by phone, online or mail, you must physically be in Idaho at the time of purchase and have the tickets mailed to your Idaho address. If you don't meet those requirements, please purchase a ticket at one of the Idaho ticket outlets listed here. All other community outlets will be open spring of 2023.

Q: Do I have to be present at the drawing to win? [Back to Top]
A: No, you do not need to be present to win any major prizes of the 2023 drawing.

Q: Where is the house located and when are the open houses? [Back to Top]
A: The house is located at 1993 W Moselle Drive. in Greenstone's Coeur d'Alene Place neighborhood. Please stay tuned for the announcement for 2023 open houses.

Q: When and where is the drawing held? [Back to Top]
A: The house raffle is scheduled to take place virtually on July 12, 2023 at 7 p.m.. Audited tickets are placed in a drawing bin and winners are manually selected by a third party auditor from a certified accounting firm. A link will be available on our website the night of the drawing to view the drawing.

Q: Will there be open houses this year? [Back to Top]
A: A virtual tour will be available in June, 2023. No public open houses will be held in 2023.

Q: How will I know if I have won a prize? [Back to Top]
A: Winners will be drawn on July 12, 2023 at 7 p.m. and will be phoned immediately after the event. Names of winners are also listed on the website and at 208-769-3271 after the drawing.

Q: What is the last date I can purchase a ticket? [Back to Top]
A: Tickets are limited at 5,000. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and typically sell out by the beginning of May.

Q: Where can I buy a ticket in person? [Back to Top]
A: Visit the Tickets page for current Idaho ticket outlets.

Q: How are the proceeds of the raffle used? [Back to Top]
A: The Really BIG Raffle is NIC Foundation’s largest annual public fundraiser, and all proceeds support student success and educational excellence throughout North Idaho College.

Q: Can my ticket purchase be claimed as a tax deduction? [Back to Top]
A: No, the IRS has ruled that a raffle ticket purchase is not a tax deductible donation.

Q: What costs is the home winner responsible for? [Back to Top]
A: The winner must take possession of the house as soon as possible after the drawing, but no later than 9/30/23. In order to transfer title, the winner must satisfy federal income tax responsibilities related to winning the home. Just prior to the drawing, the NIC Foundation has the home appraised by a third party to establish the prize value. Prizes are considered income and are subject to federal and state income tax. Taxes are based on value of the prize and in some cases on the winner’s income tax rate and may vary for each individual based on their current situation. For the house and the car, the current federal tax burden is 24% of the value of the prize. For example, a home with an appraised value of $587,000 will create a tax due of $140,880. A car with a value of $32,000 would create a tax due of $7,680. This amount can generally be financed by the winner. At closing, the NIC Foundation pays closing fees, property taxes, and dues through the closing date. Once the home is transferred, the winner is responsible for all future taxes and expenses typical of home ownership.

Q: How can I receive written information about the raffle? [Back to Top]
A: Click here to join our mailing list. We send out two brochures each year that detail the aspects of the Really BIG Raffle. If you have purchased a ticket in the past two years, you will automatically receive these mailings.

Q: Why is there no bonus stub on my ticket? [Back to Top]
A: There will be no Bonus Prizes in the 2023 Really BIG Raffle as the drawing will be held virtually.

Q: What are the four major prizes? [Back to Top]
A: For 2023 the house is the grand prize followed by three major prizes. The first prize is a 2023 new car valued at $32,000. The second prize is a home furnishings gift card with a $2,000 value. The third prize is a smoker and bbq meat package valued at $1,500.

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