Introduction to the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) 50/50 Program
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) 50/50 raffle has grown into the largest 50/50 raffle in professional sports since moving online in 2020. This success is a testament to the incredible passion and generosity of Oilers fans across Alberta. Together, we’ve raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support kids, families, and communities in Oil Country when they need it most.
As a registered charity, the EOCF is committed to working with our community partners to maximize our impact. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, we work diligently to ensure the funds raised through the 50/50 raffle and other initiatives are reinvested into our communities in meaningful ways.
Below, we’ve provided answers to some common questions about the EOCF 50/50 program, our operations, and our community contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How does the EOCF 50/50 raffle benefit the community?
The EOCF 50/50 raffle raises significant funds that support a wide range of community programs and initiatives across Oil Country. These include access to hockey and other youth-oriented programs through the Every Kid Deserves a Shot initiative, as well as Standing up for Oil Country initiatives in support of kids, families and communities in need across Northern Alberta. The EOCF has raised over $557 million, with proceeds supporting thousands of children, families, communities and charitable organizations.
2. What is the role of the EOCF in the 50/50 raffle?
The EOCF is the AGLC license holder for the EOCF 50/50 raffle responsible for all elements of the raffle’s oversight, operation and community investment.
3. What is the role of the EOCF Board of Directors?
The EOCF’s volunteer Board of Directors provides governance and oversight by setting strategic direction and monitoring progress towards the agreed-upon goals of the foundation. The Board meets quarterly at minimum to review and approve the annual budget and business plan, which include any strategic decisions that need to be made to guide the foundation’s programs, grants, initiatives, expenses, contracts, licenses and fund allocation. Prior to Board meetings, the committees of the Board invest significant time in reviewing the financial reports, proposed significant donations and programs, and other matters that ultimately are brought to the Board.
The Board also applies internal controls to ensure all strategic decisions are aligned with the EOCF’s established vision, mission and values and helps ensure the foundation is well-run, financially sound, legally compliant, mission-driven and impactful for communities across Oil Country.
In addition to these roles and responsibilities, the EOCF volunteer Board also oversees audits, assists with fundraising and donor relations, acts as visible champions of the foundation to the public and key stakeholders, while using their own business success and personal and professional networks to support the foundation’s growth.
4. What goes into creating and running the largest 50/50 raffle in professional sports?
In July 2020, when the raffle went from in-venue to online, the EOCF Board of Directors made the bold decision to invest in the EOCF 50/50 to make it the largest raffle in professional sports. When the Board made this decision, they knew it would take a significant investment to build the EOCF 50/50 into what it is today, they also knew it would take an ongoing investment to maintain, compete, innovate and continue to grow the raffle. Thanks to the unmatched passion and generosity of Oilers fans, this investment has changed the lives of thousands of kids, families and communities when they need it most.
The EOCF Board has oversight and approves the 50/50 business plan and it contracts with WIN50, which is accredited by AGLC, for operation of the raffle, including being responsible for all expenses including multi-million-dollar expenses to 50+ third parties for line items such as prizing (vehicles, cash, experiences, etc.), television and radio commercials, marketing & promotion, digital advertising, raffle technology platform, staffing, customer service and others. Further, all licenses and expenses related to the 50/50 are approved by AGLC
5. How are decisions about EOCF programs and funding made?
The EOCF is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that provides oversight and strategic direction. The Board reviews and approves an annual budget and business plan, which guide the foundation’s programs, grants, and fund allocation.
All decisions are made with the goal of maximizing community impact while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and alignment with the foundation’s mission and values.
6. How does the EOCF choose the beneficiaries for each raffle?
50/50 beneficiaries are selected in one of the following categories:
- Alignment with EOCF priorities:
- Every Kid Deserves a Shot: Charities that reduce barriers to hockey and other sports
- Standing up for Oil Country: Charities that have broad reach in Oil Country supporting Albertans that need help the most
- Urgent need in Oil Country (e.g. wildfires)
- Charities that are aligned with Oilers community initiatives such as Hockey Fights Cancer, Hockey Talks (mental health), Animals of Oil Country, Kids in Oil County, Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation, Indigenous Celebration and other cultural celebration games.
- Charities with a player, team or fan connection (e.g. Ben Stelter Foundation, Joey Moss’s legacy, etc.)
Registered charities can also apply for EOCF Community Grants at EdmontonOilers.com/EOCF
7. How does the EOCF 50/50 raffle help beneficiaries?
50/50 beneficiaries receive a percentage of the net raffle proceeds. The percentage is determined on a raffle-by-raffle basis, which can add up to hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars depending on the jackpot amounts.
50/50 beneficiaries also benefit from exposure of their organization and clients through Oilers TV and radio broadcasts and digital and social media platforms reaching millions of fans and others per game across Alberta and beyond. This provides incredible earned media value and opportunity for the beneficiaries to tell their story and the stories of their clients, and to bolster their own fundraising efforts through association with the Oilers brand.
8. Does the EOCF have any of its own community programs?
In 2023, the EOCF launched the Every Kid Deserves a Shot initiative. Every Kid Deserves a Shot brings all of the EOCF’s hockey and ball hockey programs, and main youth-oriented charitable partners together under one program, pooling resources into one coordinated joint effort to ensure more kids across Oil Country have access to the transformative, community-building power of hockey—regardless of their background or circumstance. As we continue to ramp up Every Kid Deserves a Shot, additional funds will be reinvested into the programs within to reach the goal of impacting and inspiring 100,000 kids across Oil Country.
The EOCF will also continue to invest in the community outside of the Every Kid Deserves a Shot program at the Board’s discretion through a wide variety of other partner charities helping kids, families and communities in need across Oil Country.
9. How much money has been won in 50/50 jackpots?
Over $233 million in life-changing jackpots has been won by everyday Albertans.
10. How does the EOCF ensure transparency, accountability and regulatory compliance?
The Board is explicitly responsible for monitoring and overseeing the affairs of the foundation and it is structured and operates according to both its by-laws and its formal Terms of Reference to ensure transparency, accountability and regulatory compliance. It does this through a combination of its mandated Committees and then through matters brought to the full Board.
The EOCF contracts with WIN50 to run the online raffles. WIN50 Is a registered gaming supplier in Alberta and must comply with all the regulations of the AGLC. The foundation also shares regular updates, financial statements, and impact reports with stakeholders, partners, and the public to demonstrate how funds are being used to make a difference.
11. What makes the EOCF 50/50 raffle unique?
The EOCF 50/50 raffle is the largest of its kind in professional sports, offering fans across Alberta the chance to win life-changing jackpots while supporting their communities. Its success is built on innovation, including the transition to an online platform, which has allowed us to raise record-breaking funds for charitable initiatives.
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation is proud to serve as a bridge between the generosity of our fans and the needs of our community. Thank you for your continued support in helping us make a meaningful difference across Oil Country.
