If you've spent any time around Australian sporting clubs, schools, or community organisations, chances are you've come across a 100 club. It's one of the most enduring fundraising formats around — simple, social, and genuinely exciting for participants. This guide explains exactly how it works, how to run one successfully, and how modern tools make the whole process easier than ever.
What is a 100 Club?
A 100 club (also called a number club or draw club) is a draw-based fundraiser where participants each claim a number between 1 and 100, a draw is held, and the winning number takes a share of the funds raised — typically 50% to the winner and 50% to the club or organisation.
In the traditional format, it runs as an ongoing membership scheme: participants pay a monthly fee, hold their number for the full year, and a draw is held each month. It is a long-standing fixture in Australian sporting clubs, RSL sub-branches, and community organisations, and it works well for clubs that want a year-round income stream.
Lucky Squares takes a simpler approach: one grid, one price per square, one draw. Sell your 100 squares, run the draw when they are filled, and you are done. No monthly collections, no year-long commitments, and no chasing the same people for payment every month. It captures everything people love about the 100 Club format without the ongoing administration.
How Does a 100 Club Work?
In the traditional format, the structure looks like this:
- Set your price per number. Common amounts are $10, $20 or $50 per month.
- Sell 100 numbers. Each participant claims one or more numbers and holds them for the year.
- Chase payments monthly. Either set up a direct debit, subscription on an online billing platform, or chase everyone for cash/transfers.
- Hold a monthly draw. A number is drawn at random and the winner receives a percentage of that month's takings.
- Keep records and pay out promptly. Transparent record-keeping is important for trust and compliance.
At $10 per number, a fully sold traditional 100 club raises $1,000 per month — $500 to the winner and $500 to your club, adding up to $6,000 a year (12 draws) after prizes are taken out.
With Lucky Squares, the structure is simpler. You set your price per square, open your grid, and sell 100 squares as a one-off campaign. When the grid fills, you run a single draw. A 100-square grid at $20 per square raises $1,000 in a single campaign (after prize payout), with no ongoing payment collection required. $50 per square can be harder to sell out your grid, however at this price clubs with more financial communities can raise $2500 per campaign (with the other $2500 going to the prize winner on a 50:50 split)
Why Australian Clubs Love the 100 Club Format
The 100 club has stood the test of time for good reason. Unlike a one-off raffle, it creates a year-round income stream. Participants stay engaged month after month because they have an ongoing stake. And because the prize money comes directly from participant fees, the model is self-funding from day one.
It's particularly popular with:
- AFL, rugby, netball, and cricket clubs
- RSL sub-branches
- School P&C associations
- Community service organisations
The social element matters too. Monthly draws give clubs a reason to gather, celebrate, and keep the community connected even in the off-season.
The Traditional Challenges of Running a 100 Club
For all its popularity, the traditional 100 club comes with some frustrations. Tracking who holds which number, collecting monthly payments, chasing up members who've forgotten to pay, and running the draw fairly ... it all adds up. Many clubs still rely on spreadsheets, cash envelopes, and whiteboard lists, which creates extra work for already time-poor volunteers.
There's also the question of reach. A traditional 100 club tends to pull from whoever shows up at training or the club on the day. Online tools open it up to family members, former players, and supporters who live further away.
Taking Your 100 Club Online
A growing number of Australian clubs are moving their number-based draws online. The benefits are significant:
- Members can claim and pay for their numbers from their phone or computer
- Payments are handled automatically — no chasing cash
- Everyone can see which numbers are still available
- The draw is transparent and can be shared live
Lucky Squares Australia is built for exactly this kind of fundraiser. You set up your grid, choose your square price, and share the link — your community can then claim squares and pay online, and you run the draw when you're ready. It works beautifully as a modern 100 club format, whether you're running a one-off event or a recurring monthly draw.
100 Club Rules: What to Know Before You Start
Every state in Australia has its own rules around draws and raffles. The good news is that many 100 club formats operate under member-to-member arrangements that sit outside standard raffle permit requirements. This does depend on your state, your organisation type, and whether you're charging for entries.
Before you launch, it's worth checking the rules for your state. Our raffle compliance guide covers the permit requirements for every state and territory in plain language.
For more on how the 100 Club format works and how to run one online, see our 100 Club fundraiser guide.
Ready to Modernise Your 100 Club?
The 100 club is a proven fundraising format — there's no need to reinvent it. But running it online makes it easier to manage, easier for supporters to join, and more transparent for everyone involved.
Start your fundraiser today and see how Lucky Squares Australia can take your 100 club digital.
