Rep. Eric Leutheuser | Michigan House Republicans
Rep. Eric Leutheuser | Michigan House Republicans
Michigan charities have stepped up to a growing need for their services during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with limited ways to raise funds to keep their nonprofit organizations functioning, they need to find a way to bring in much-needed cash.
State Rep. Eric Leutheuser (R-Hillsdale) said he's come up with a plan to help these charities fundraise during this unusual time.
The COVID-19 pandemic, executive orders and social-distancing guidelines have really hampered ways charitable organizations can raise money to keep supporting their services. Leutheuser's idea would allow charitable organizations who qualify to host raffles online.
Online raffles could help charitable organizations raise money.
| stock photo
"COVID-19, along with governor's stay-at-home executive order and the in-person sales requirement for raffles, have canceled and postponed charity events our local nonprofits rely upon," Leutheuser said in a release on the Michigan House Republicans website. "Groups like this provide crucial support in our communities. We should help them 'catch up' from coronavirus so they can continue to help our neighbors."
Leutheuser said House Bill 5862 was inspired by a local domestic violence organization called Domestic Harmony. The nonprofit had to postpone its yearly Duck Derby fundraiser because it couldn't hold in-person sales due to the pandemic. Leutheuser said the event typically raised $35,000 each year for Domestic Harmony.
Last year, more than $61 million was raised by charitable organizations in Michigan, which are qualified to hold raffles.
"These charities are deeply ingrained in our communities and are needed now more than ever," Leutheuser said in a release from the Michigan House Republicans.
The plan was recently approved by the House Regulatory Reform Committee. It would allow charitable organizations that have held licenses to operate raffles in the past two years to sell raffle tickets online until June 2023. The legislation is headed next to the House Ways and Means Committee next.
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