Guys, I'm not a lawyer or an IRS agent, so please understand that I'm just an amateur trying to help my friends. Prior to my current position, I worked in University development (fund-raising) for ten years, including responsibility for gift records. Consequently, I spent a fair amount of time on tax-deductibility in the US.

Albeit for an excellent cause, this project is a raffle. I've seen several folks post that they are making a "contribution" or "donation" and I think that is a good and proper way to think about the transaction. However, since you are receiving potential value far in excess of the amount of the ticket, the cost should not be written off as a charitable donation for IRS purposes, even for non-winners. Depending upon the rest of your return, you *might* be able to count it as a gambling loss.

Sorry to be such a buzzkill.

bibere usque ad hilaritatem