Omaze: Difference between revisions

Omaze
Formation	September 2012
Founder	Ryan Cummins; Matthew Pohlson;
Purpose	Charity Fundraising
Headquarters	Altrincham, England
Key people	Matthew Pohlson (CEO);
Website	omaze.com

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Omaze is a for-profit fundraising company that partners with charities in fundraising events. To enter the draw for the prizes, financial contributions were encouraged, with 15% to 60% of the money going to the partner charity.^[1]^[2]^[3]

The company was founded by Charlie Cummins and Matthew Pohlson in 2012^[4] in Los Angeles, California. The company has raised over $130 million^[5] for over 350 charities,^[5] including UNICEF,^[6] After-School All-Stars,^[7] Julia's House,^[8] Product Red,^[9] and Make-A-Wish Foundation.^[10]

While initially founded in the United States, the company ceased to operate in the country as of 2023 due to regulatory issues, though it remains active in the United Kingdom.

Contests

Omaze offer sweepstakes, often accompanied by celebrity endorsements. Entrants are encouraged to contribute financially to the cause, with the amount given determining the number of sweepstake entries that the person receives.^[11]

Sweepstake systems such as Omaze include a "no purchase necessary" clause to avoid being classed as a lottery.^[12] In the US, participants could select an "enter for free" option to receive 2,000 entries at no cost.^[13] In the United Kingdom, participants may submit a postal entry with no fee.^[14]

Omaze released their first sweepstakes in July 2012, with the winner becoming a judge on Cupcake Wars and all entries supported Team Rubicon.^[15]

In December 2015, Omaze partnered with Star Wars where people donated $10 to be entered to win the opportunity to visit the closed set of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The experience raised more than $4.26 million to benefit UNICEF.^[16] The experience launch video was a 2016 Webby Award Honoree.^[17]

In January 2023, Omaze paused operations in the United States.^[18] This came soon after a large layoff of Omaze employees. On December 9th, 2022, Omaze laid off 103 employees.^[19]

Model

Omaze started as a privately owned, for-profit company that had two models to raise funds for charities. Sweepstake entries for a celebrity experience (set visit, dinner date, tickets to a premiere, etc.) see 60% of the money donated to charity, 25% towards fees and Omaze's costs for advertising and creating content for the event, and 15% to Omaze as profit.^[2]

For prize-based experiences (like a car, vacation, or tuition), 15% went to the charity, 70% to sourcing and shipping the prize, covering the winner's taxes, processing credit card fees, and Omaze's costs in marketing and creating content for the experience, and 15% to Omaze in profit.^[2]

Omaze in the United Kingdom

Omaze draws in the United Kingdom are run by Omaze UK Limited, which, according to their financial statements, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Omaze Inc.^[20]

In the United Kingdom, Omaze currently gives 17% of total sales to the charity partner, with a guaranteed minimum of £1 million.^[21] Prior to the Somerset House draw in November 2023, Omaze UK gave 80% of the net profit from a sweepstake to the charity, after deducting the cost of the prize and marketing, and took 20% as its profit.^[14]

The company launched its first campaign in the United Kingdom in 2020.^[1] Each account on Omaze UK is limited to £500 of entries per calendar month.

References

^ ^a ^b "Celebrity-backed charity platform launches in the UK — with a £1m house giveaway". Sifted. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c "What is Omaze? About Us & How We Help People In Need". Omaze. Retrieved 2019-06-30.
^ Pohlson, Matt (2020-09-09). "Purpose At Work: How Omaze Reinvented Philanthropy To Unlock Exponential Growth And Impact". Forbes. ISSN 2609-1445. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
^ Jansen, Monika (August 22, 2011). "Win Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences that Raise Money for Charity at Omaze". Tech.Co. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
^ ^a ^b BERNSTEIN, JILL (2020-03-10). "Meet the for-profit business model that's raised over $130 million for charities". Fast Company. ISSN 1085-9241. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
^ Cummins, Ryan (2015-12-16). "How my organisation is helping Star Wars become a force for change". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
^ "Arnold Schwarzenegger Wants You To Blow Sh*t Up For Charity". Tubefilter. 2015-05-15. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
^ "Robert Downey Jr raffle raises £1m for Julia's House hospice". BBC News. 2015-04-07. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
^ "U2 Offer Private Concert, Make Song Title Puns for Charity". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
^ "Stan Lee Tribute Event Announced". Marvel. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
^ Conway, Jeff (3 December 2020). "Omaze Promotes Optimism This Holiday Season With The Help Of Charlize Theron, Ben Affleck And Matt Damon". Forbes. Retrieved 30 January 2021.^{[dead link‍]}
^ Lindsay, Jessica (17 April 2021). "House raffles: Legit way to get on the property ladder or filled with loopholes?". Metro. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
^ "Official Rules". Omaze. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
^ ^a ^b "Your Frequently Asked Questions, Answered". Omaze UK. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
^ "Omaze Contest: Be A Backstage Judge On Cupcake Wars!". Omaze Contest. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
^ Cummins, Ryan (2015-12-16). "How my organisation is helping Star Wars become a force for change". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
^ "2016 | The Webby Awards". webbyawards.com. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
^ Welch, Andy (4 April 2023). "Too good to be true? What it is really like to win a £3m dream home". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
^ "Omaze, Inc. - Layoffs/Closings". usa today.
^ "Omaze UK Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
^ "We're giving more than ever before". Omaze UK. Retrieved 9 June 2024.

[sifted-1] "Celebrity-backed charity platform launches in the UK — with a £1m house giveaway". Sifted. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.

[comabout-2] "What is Omaze? About Us & How We Help People In Need". Omaze. Retrieved 2019-06-30.

[3] Pohlson, Matt (2020-09-09). "Purpose At Work: How Omaze Reinvented Philanthropy To Unlock Exponential Growth And Impact". Forbes. ISSN 2609-1445. Retrieved 2020-09-09.

[techcomj811-4] Jansen, Monika (August 22, 2011). "Win Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences that Raise Money for Charity at Omaze". Tech.Co. Retrieved September 6, 2015.

[:0-5] BERNSTEIN, JILL (2020-03-10). "Meet the for-profit business model that's raised over $130 million for charities". Fast Company. ISSN 1085-9241. Retrieved 2020-03-10.

[6] Cummins, Ryan (2015-12-16). "How my organisation is helping Star Wars become a force for change". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-08-23.

[7] "Arnold Schwarzenegger Wants You To Blow Sh*t Up For Charity". Tubefilter. 2015-05-15. Retrieved 2017-08-23.

[8] "Robert Downey Jr raffle raises £1m for Julia's House hospice". BBC News. 2015-04-07. Retrieved 2017-08-23.

[9] "U2 Offer Private Concert, Make Song Title Puns for Charity". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-08-23.

[10] "Stan Lee Tribute Event Announced". Marvel. Retrieved 2017-08-23.

[11] Conway, Jeff (3 December 2020). "Omaze Promotes Optimism This Holiday Season With The Help Of Charlize Theron, Ben Affleck And Matt Damon". Forbes. Retrieved 30 January 2021.^{[dead link‍]}

[12] Lindsay, Jessica (17 April 2021). "House raffles: Legit way to get on the property ladder or filled with loopholes?". Metro. Retrieved 22 July 2021.

[13] "Official Rules". Omaze. Retrieved 2020-11-15.

[faquk-14] "Your Frequently Asked Questions, Answered". Omaze UK. Retrieved 22 July 2021.

[15] "Omaze Contest: Be A Backstage Judge On Cupcake Wars!". Omaze Contest. Retrieved 2017-07-28.

[16] Cummins, Ryan (2015-12-16). "How my organisation is helping Star Wars become a force for change". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-07-28.

[17] "2016 | The Webby Awards". webbyawards.com. Retrieved 2017-07-28.

[18] Welch, Andy (4 April 2023). "Too good to be true? What it is really like to win a £3m dream home". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2024.

[19] "Omaze, Inc. - Layoffs/Closings". usa today.

[ukcompnlany-20] "Omaze UK Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 9 June 2024.

[ukprofit-21] "We're giving more than ever before". Omaze UK. Retrieved 9 June 2024.

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+{{Short description|For-profit fundraiser}}
-{{coi}}
+{{multiple issues
-{{primary sources}}
+|{{Advert|date=March 2021}}
+{{primary sources|date=April 2021}}
+}}
 {{Infobox organization
-| logo                = Omaze logo.svg
+| logo                = [[File:Omaze logo.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
 | formation           = {{start date|2012|9}}
 | purpose             = Charity Fundraising
-| headquarters        = [[Culver City, California]], U.S.
+| headquarters        = [[Altrincham]], England
-| key_people          = {{ubl|Matthew Pohlson ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|Ryan Cummins ([[Vice Chairman]])}}
+| key_people          = {{ubl|Matthew Pohlson ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])}}
 | name                = Omaze
 | founder             = {{ubl|Ryan Cummins|Matthew Pohlson}}
 | website             = {{URL|omaze.com}}
 }}
+'''Omaze''' is a [[for-profit]] fundraising company that partners with [[Charitable organization|charities]] in fundraising events. To enter the draw for the prizes, financial contributions were encouraged, with 15% to 60% of the money going to the partner charity.<ref name="sifted">{{cite news |title=Celebrity-backed charity platform launches in the UK — with a £1m house giveaway |url=https://sifted.eu/articles/omaze-uk/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Sifted |date=12 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="comabout" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Pohlson|first=Matt|date=2020-09-09|title=Purpose At Work: How Omaze Reinvented Philanthropy To Unlock Exponential Growth And Impact|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonmainwaring/2020/09/09/purpose-at-work-how-omaze-reinvented-philanthropy-to-unlock-exponential-growth-and-impact/#4850d450ce80|access-date=2020-09-09|issn=2609-1445}}</ref>
-'''Omaze''' is an entertainment company that works with charities.<ref name="about">{{Cite web |title=About Omaze UK {{!}} How the Million Pound House Draw Works |url=https://omaze.co.uk/pages/about-omaze |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Omaze UK |language=en-GB}}</ref> It raisesfunding for charity organisations through its house prize draws in the UK, with a portion of the income raised going to charity.
+The company was founded by Charlie Cummins and [[Matthew Pohlson]] in  2012<ref name="techcomj811">{{Cite news | title = Win Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences that Raise Money for Charity at Omaze | author = Jansen, Monika | work = Tech.Co | date = August 22, 2011 | access-date = September 6, 2015 |url=http://tech.co/once-in-a-lifetime-experiences-charity-omaze-2011-08 }}</ref> in [[Los Angeles, California]]. The company has raised over $130 million<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=BERNSTEIN|first=JILL|date=2020-03-10|title=Meet the for-profit business model that's raised over $130 million for charities|work=Fast Company|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90457667/omaze-most-innovative-companies-2020|access-date=2020-03-10|issn=1085-9241}}</ref> for over 350 charities,<ref name=":0"/> including [[UNICEF]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2015/dec/16/organisation-helping-star-wars-become-force-for-change|title=How my organisation is helping Star Wars become a force for change|last=Cummins|first=Ryan|date=2015-12-16|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-08-23|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> [[After-School All-Stars]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2015/05/15/arnold-schwarzenegger-omaze-after-school-all-stars-blow-sht-up/|title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Wants You To Blow Sh*t Up For Charity|date=2015-05-15|work=Tubefilter|access-date=2017-08-23}}</ref> [[Julia's House]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-32203837|title=Robert Downey Jr raffle raises £1m for Julia's House hospice|date=2015-04-07|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-08-23}}</ref> [[Product Red]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-u2-offer-private-concert-make-song-puns-for-charity-w459031|title=U2 Offer Private Concert, Make Song Title Puns for Charity|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2017-08-23}}</ref> and [[Make-A-Wish Foundation]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://comicbook.com/marvel/2017/06/13/stan-lee-tribute/|title=Stan Lee Tribute Event Announced|website=Marvel|access-date=2017-08-23}}</ref>
-American entrepreneurs Matthew Pohlson and Ryan Cummings established the organisation<ref name="auto3">{{Cite news |last=Welch |first=Andy |date=2023-04-04 |title=Too good to be true? What it is really like to win a £3m dream home |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/apr/04/too-good-to-be-true-what-it-is-really-like-to-win-a-3m-dream-home |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> in the US in 2012. It initially specialised in celebrity-experience draws, before switching focus to UK house draws in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/118440/pdf/#:~:text=Omaze%20is%20a%20for%2Dprofit,in%20the%20UK%20in%202020.|title=Written evidence submitted by Omaze to DCMS Committee Inquiry into Gambling Regulation}}</ref> Omaze has raised more than £51 million for good causes, as of August 2024.
+While initially founded in the United States, the company ceased to operate in the country as of 2023 due to regulatory issues, though it remains active in the United Kingdom.
-== History ==
-Pohlson and Cummings met at [[Stanford University]] in the late 1990s.<ref name="auto3"/>
+== Contests ==
-Both had an interest in film and, after graduating, Pohlson appeared in theatre in Los Angeles and the TV series [[Everwood]] (2004), [[Scrubs (TV series)|Scrubs]] (2005) and [[Hollywood Dreams]] (2006). Pohlson and Cummings also collaborated as producers and writers on A Decade of Difference, a concert to mark the first decade of the [[William J. Clinton Foundation]], which aims to strengthen global interdependence. It featured the likes of [[Bono]], [[Matt Damon]], [[Lady Gaga]] and [[Tony Blair]].
+Omaze offer [[sweepstakes]], often accompanied by celebrity endorsements.  Entrants are encouraged to contribute financially to the cause, with the amount given determining the number of sweepstake entries that the person receives.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Conway |first1=Jeff |title=Omaze Promotes Optimism This Holiday Season With The Help Of Charlize Theron, Ben Affleck And Matt Damon |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffconway/2020/12/03/omaze-promotes-optimism-this-holiday-season-with-the-help-of-charlize-theron-ben-affleck-and-matt-damon/= |access-date=30 January 2021 |work=Forbes |date=3 December 2020 |language=en}}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
-In 2011, the pair attended a [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America|Boys & Girls Club of America]] charity event in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=X |date=2019-09-15 |title=He lost a chance to shoot hoops with Magic but found a calling |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-09-13/omaze-ceo-matt-pohlson-lost-a-chance-to-shoot-hoops-with-magic-but-found-a-calling |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The auction featured a chance to play basketball with [[Magic Johnson]] and attend an [[Los Angeles Lakers|LA Lakers]] game with him. The event was attended by mainly high-net worth individuals and the Magic Johnson experience was auctioned off for $15,000.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Mega |first=Laurie |date=2022-08-04 |title=Lessons on Living (And Dying) From Omaze Founder Matthew Pohlson — Exclusive |url=https://foundr.com/articles/leadership/personal-growth/matthew-pohlson-omaze |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Foundr |language=en-US}}</ref>
+Sweepstake systems such as Omaze include a "[[no purchase necessary]]" clause to avoid being classed as a lottery.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lindsay |first1=Jessica |title=House raffles: Legit way to get on the property ladder or filled with loopholes? |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/04/17/house-raffles-legit-way-to-get-on-the-property-ladder-or-filled-with-loopholes-13467936/ |access-date=22 July 2021 |work=Metro |date=17 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In the US, participants could select an "enter for free" option to receive 2,000 entries at no cost.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.omaze.com/pages/rules|title=Official Rules|website=Omaze|access-date=2020-11-15}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, participants may submit a postal entry with no fee.<ref name="faquk"/>
-This sort of figure was out of reach for Pohlson, Cummings and most other people. So the pair decided to create a model where the wider public could take part in such fundraising events.<ref name="auto1"/> In July 2012 they launched Omaze, which offered customers the chance to win experiences through sweepstakes, while also raising substantial funds for charities.
+Omaze released their first sweepstakes in July 2012, with the winner becoming a judge on ''[[Cupcake Wars]]'' and all entries supported [[Team Rubicon]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2012/07/omaze-contest-be-backstage-judge-on.html|title=Omaze Contest: Be A Backstage Judge On Cupcake Wars!|website=Omaze Contest|access-date=2017-07-28}}</ref>
-The pair were able to use their contacts in the entertainment industry to give anyone the opportunity to meet and take part in activities with celebrities as prizes. Omaze's first big success was offering a chance to accompany actors [[Bryan Cranston]] and [[Aaron Paul]] to a [[Breaking Bad]] screening in the iconic RV from the series. The sweepstake raised $1.7 million for Kind Campaign.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2013-09-19 |title='Breaking Bad' Stars Raise Over $1 Million for Charity |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/breaking-bad-stars-raise-over-1-million-for-charity-203971/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>
+In December 2015, Omaze partnered with ''[[Star Wars]]'' where people donated $10 to be entered to win the opportunity to visit the closed set of ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]''. The experience raised more than $4.26 million to benefit UNICEF.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2015/dec/16/organisation-helping-star-wars-become-force-for-change|title=How my organisation is helping Star Wars become a force for change|last=Cummins|first=Ryan|date=2015-12-16|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-07-28|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The experience launch video was a 2016 [[Webby Award]] Honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2016/|title=2016 {{!}} The Webby Awards|website=webbyawards.com|access-date=2017-07-28}}</ref>
-Omaze also partnered with the likes of [[Cristiano Ronaldo]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Courtney |date=2015-10-07 |title=Raise Money for Charity and Meet Cristiano Ronaldo with Omaze! |url=https://impakter.com/raise-money-charity-meet-cristiano-ronaldo-omaze/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Impakter |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Oprah Winfrey]], actors from [[Star Wars]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2017-04-11 |title='Star Wars: Force For Change' & Omaze Kick Off 40th Anniversary Of Sci-Fi Franchise With New Charity Campaign |url=https://deadline.com/2017/04/star-wars-the-last-jedi-force-for-change-omaze-1202067529/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Michelle Obama]] and many other leading figures in entertainment, sport and politics.
+In January 2023, Omaze paused operations in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Welch |first1=Andy |title=Too good to be true? What it is really like to win a £3m dream home |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/apr/04/too-good-to-be-true-what-it-is-really-like-to-win-a-3m-dream-home |access-date=30 September 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=4 April 2023}}</ref> This came soon after a large layoff of Omaze employees.  On December 9th, 2022, Omaze laid off 103 employees.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.usatoday.com/see-which-companies-announced-mass-layoffs-closings/omaze-inc/ca-2223-00488/ |website=usa today |title=Omaze, Inc. - Layoffs/Closings }}</ref>
-Notable prizes included: wine-tasting with [[Jennifer Lawrence]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eads |first=Lauren |date=2017-08-18 |title=Jennifer Lawrence invites fans on wine tasting tour |url=https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2017/08/jennifer-lawrence-auctions-charity-wine-tasting/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Drinks Business |language=en-GB}}</ref>; riding in a tank and crushing things with [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kastrenakes |first=Jacob |date=2014-03-12 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger invites you to ride in his tank and crush things for charity |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/3/12/5501852/schwarzenegger-will-crush-things-in-tank-with-you-for-charity |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>; dinner with [[George Clooney]] at his Lake Como house<ref>{{Cite web |title=George and Amal Clooney offer fans the chance to dine with them at Italian home |url=https://news.sky.com/story/george-and-amal-clooney-offer-fans-the-chance-to-dine-with-them-at-italian-home-11732495 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>; winning a [[Lamborghini]], receiving the keys from [[Pope Francis]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glatz |first=Carol |date=2018-12-05 |title=Pope's white Lamborghini up for raffle; winner gets trip to Rome |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/popes-white-lamborghini-up-for-raffle-winner-gets-trip-to-rome/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Catholic Herald |language=en-GB}}</ref>
+== Model ==
-More than 350 charities,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bernstein |first=JIll |date=October 2020 |title=Meet the for-profit business model that's raised over $130 million for charities |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90457667/omaze-most-innovative-companies-2020 |website=Fast Company}}</ref> including [[Make-A-Wish Foundation|Make-A-Wish]], [[International Rescue Committee]], [[Save the Children]], [[UNICEF]], the [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Cross]], and [[Team Rubicon]] benefited from the draws. Omaze funded a new ECMO ambulance for the [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center|Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathew |first=Viju |date=2020-08-14 |title=How Omaze's Innovative Approach to Charity Lets It Give Away Amazing Cars—and Raise Money Doing it |url=https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/q-a-omaze-cofounder-matt-pohlson-2944013/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Robb Report |language=en-US}}</ref> and the creation of a $1 million community centre for People Assisting the Homeless.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-09 |title=You Could Win a Custom Tiny Home by Donating to This Charity |url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/a32093963/win-dream-tiny-home-omaze-contest/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=House Beautiful |language=en-US}}</ref>
+Omaze started as a privately owned, [[For-profit corporation|for-profit company]] that had two models to raise funds for charities. Sweepstake entries for a celebrity experience (set visit, dinner date, tickets to a premiere, etc.) see 60% of the money donated to charity, 25% towards fees and Omaze's costs for advertising and creating content for the event, and 15% to Omaze as profit.<ref name="comabout">{{Cite web|url=https://www.omaze.com/pages/about-us|title=What is Omaze? About Us & How We Help People In Need|website=Omaze|access-date=2019-06-30}}</ref>
+For prize-based experiences (like a car, vacation, or tuition), 15% went to the charity, 70% to sourcing and shipping the prize, covering the winner's taxes,  processing credit card fees, and Omaze's costs in marketing and creating content for the experience, and 15% to Omaze in profit.<ref name="comabout"/>
-Cummings stepped away from the business in 2018.  Pohlson, feeling that the celebrity-experience model was losing momentum, launched the Omaze Million Pound House Draw in 2020,<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |last=Whitworth |first=Damian |date=2022-10-25 |title=The man who raffles mansions and dates with the A-list |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/ca597ae6-5473-11ed-a03e-f7ac672386f7 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref> with then Omaze Senior Vice President International, James Oakes, alongside Mike Longden and Anoushka Millard. It featured a £1 million Cheshire property and raised £250,000 for the [[Teenage Cancer Trust]].
+==Omaze in the United Kingdom==
-The Omaze Million Pound House Draw quickly became Omaze's most successful project.
+Omaze draws in the United Kingdom are run by Omaze UK Limited, which, according to their financial statements, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Omaze Inc.<ref name="ukcompnlany">{{cite web |title=Omaze UK Limited |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12056935 |website=Companies House |access-date=9 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
-"Everybody dreams of a new house," Pohlson commented in October 2022. "We said: 'OK, let's try it [in the UK] for the first time.' [It] just worked incredibly well."<ref name="auto2"/>
+In the United Kingdom, Omaze currently gives 17% of total sales to the charity partner, with a guaranteed minimum of £1 million.<ref name="ukprofit">{{cite web |title=We're giving more than ever before |url=https://omaze.co.uk/blogs/news/we-re-giving-more-than-ever-before |website=Omaze UK |access-date=9 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Prior to the Somerset House draw in November 2023, Omaze UK gave 80% of the [[net profit]] from a sweepstake to the charity, after deducting the cost of the prize and marketing, and took 20% as its profit.<ref name="faquk">{{cite web |title=Your Frequently Asked Questions, Answered |url=https://omaze.co.uk/pages/faqs |website=Omaze UK |access-date=22 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
-Omaze decided to focus entirely on this house draw model in 2023 and moved its head office from Los Angeles to London. Omaze does not currently operate in the US. Pohlson has said that house draws can raise twenty times as much money as celebrity sweepstakes, despite requiring much the same amount of work<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jazz Shaper: Matt Pohlson |url=https://hellorayo.co.uk/podcasts/jazz-shapers/id-2148983/play/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Mishcon de Reya LLP |language=en}}</ref>
+The company launched its first campaign in the United Kingdom in 2020.<ref name="sifted"/> Each account on Omaze UK is limited to £500 of entries per calendar month.
-As of September  2024, Omaze has given away 29 houses, all worth more than £1 million. Locations include Somerset, Cheshire, Cornwall, the Lake District and London. The UK draws, which also include cars and cash prizes, have generated more than £56 million for national charities including Teenage Cancer Trust, [[British Heart Foundation]], [[Prince's Trust|The Prince's Trust]], the [[NSPCC]], GOSH Charity, [[Cancer Research UK]], [[Alzheimer's Research UK]], [[RSPCA]], [[Blood Cancer UK]], [[Global Media & Entertainment|Global]]'s Make Some Noise, [[Dogs Trust]], [[Marie Curie (charity)|Marie Curie]], [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution|RNLI,]] [[Macmillan Cancer Support|Macmillan]], [[Breast Cancer Now]], [[NHS Charities Together]], [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF-UK]], the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, [[Children in Need|BBC Children in Need]], [[Prostate Cancer UK]],  [[London's Air Ambulance Charity]] and the [[Royal Society for the Protection of Birds|RSPB]] and local charities including Cornwall Rural Housing Association, Hackney Foodbank,  Well Communities, Holt Youth Project, Glaven Caring, FORCE Cancer Charity, Kensington & Chelsea Foundation, Colehill Community Library, Wilmslow Youth and East Cheshire Hospice.Worldwide. Omaze has generated more than $225 million since its 2012 inception.<ref name="about" />
-Matthew Pohlson is currently Omaze CEO.<ref name="about" />
-James Oakes is Chief International Officer, responsible for growth in overseas markets and leading the UK operation. In 2017, James led a Zeal Group $2 million investment in Omaze and attended several Omaze board meetings before agreeing to join the board on a permanent basis in 2019. He devised the UK house prize model over a drink with Pohlson.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=James |date=2023-11-16 |title=Omaze house draw: The top dogs (and cats) for charity fundraising |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1835536/omaze-charity-fundraising |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>
-Mike Longden joined the company in 2019 as Senior Marketing Consultant, International, to establish the Omaze brand in the UK and help launch the Omaze Million Pound House Draw. He is now the VP of Marketing for Omaze.
-Anoushka Millard joined Omaze in 2019, helping to launch the Omaze Million Pound House Draw in 2020 as Senior Director of Operations, International. Her role includes overseeing all house selection, acquisition and interior design, as well as determining Omaze's charity partners. She is now VP of Property and Partnerships.
-== Draw model and regulations ==
-Omaze offers houses, cash and has offered cars as prizes during each prize draw. The cars are often awarded as early bird-entry prizes. Seventeen per cent of gross income from entries goes to charity, irrespective of costs. A minimum donation of £1 million is guaranteed for every charity partner.
-Omaze is regulated as a prize draw operator. Entrants are able to enter the competition via a paid entry route online or alternatively by post for the cost of a stamp. The postal entry route is displayed prominently alongside paid-for options on marketing material, in line with the requirements of the [[Gambling Act 2005]] (the Act) and [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]] guidance.
-Customers have several options when purchasing entries. These currently include purchasing 15 entries for £10, 40 entries for £25 and 320 entries for £150. Subscriptions, which can be cancelled at any time, include £10 a month for 30 entries and £50 a month for 320 entries.
-The chances of winning a house draw depend on the number of entries received. For postal entries, each individual entry is coded and entered into a database by an independent scrutineer, [[Civica]]. Omaze uses a randomised draw engine to select a winner from these combined entries.
-Winners have 96 hours to claim their prize and Omaze will make every effort to contact them within this timeframe. If the prize remains unclaimed, Omaze will move on to the next winning entry code on the list.
-Omaze has measures in place to ensure vulnerable customers are not at risk, including:
-* A spend cap of £500 per customer, per month.
-* Messaging and brand guidelines which avoid overstating the likelihood of winning or encouraging a sense of urgency, and prohibit advertising money motives for entering.
-Omaze is subject to a number of other regulatory frameworks in the UK, including being a registered commercial participant with the [[Fundraising Regulator]] and complying with all relevant marketing and consumer protection requirements in the UK.<ref name="about" />
-== UK house draws ==
-The first UK campaign offered a chance to win a four-bedroom house, with a hot tub and self-contained home-office, in Cheshire, worth £1,000,000. It launched in March 2020 and closed in November 2020. The winner was Ian Garrick. The draw raised £250,000 for its charity partner, Teenage Cancer Trust'''.'''
-Omaze committed to raising £1,000,000 for the charity within the next three years, something it achieved in 2022 when the Marbella Superdraw—which offered a chance to win a Marbella holiday home—raised £800,000 for the trust.
-Of the 29 houses that have been won, five have been located in London and four in the Cotswolds, with the rest in locations throughout the United Kingdom—including Cornwall, Cheshire, the Lake District, Scotland—and Spain.
-The highest value property given away to date is a £5,000,000 luxury warehouse conversion in Victoria Park, Hackney, London in August 2024.<ref name="about" />
 == References ==
 {{Reflist}}
+[[Category:Companies based in Culver City, California]]
+[[Category:American companies established in 2012]]
+[[Category:American fundraising websites]]
+[[Category:Online auction websites of the United States]]