NIC Foundation’s 33rd Annual Really BIG Raffle Early Bird Deadline Approaching April 30 in Idaho
North Idaho College Foundation Raffle Offers Grand Prize Home Valued at Over $550,000
Sandpoint, Idaho — Time is running out for North Idaho residents and supporters of higher education to secure early bird eligibility in the North Idaho College Foundation’s 33rd annual Really BIG Raffle. The early bird deadline falls on April 30, 2026, and anyone who purchases a ticket by that date will automatically be entered for a chance to win two $1,000 Costco gift cards in addition to the raffle’s main prize pool.
The annual fundraiser, which supports student success and educational excellence at North Idaho College, has become one of the region’s most anticipated community events. With only 5,000 tickets available at $150 each, organizers report that roughly half have already been sold — a pace consistent with past years, as the raffle sells out annually.
All ticket holders are entered for a chance to win a brand-new Post Falls home valued at over $550,000, a 2026 new vehicle valued at approximately $32,000, a $2,000 home furnishings gift card, and a $1,500 Schweitzer gift certificate — a particularly appealing prize for North Idaho residents and outdoor enthusiasts familiar with Schweitzer Mountain and the region’s celebrated recreation offerings.
Grand Prize Home Currently Under Construction in Post Falls
This year’s grand prize home is a 2,033-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence currently under construction at 3360 N. Segar Loop in Greenstone’s North Place community in Post Falls, Idaho. The home features a long list of upgrades, including a front porch, large covered back patio, quartz countertops, vaulted ceilings, a chef’s kitchen with island, and a fireplace with built-ins. The raffle is sponsored in part by Title Sponsor Greenstone Homes.
The construction of the prize home reflects broader development activity across North Idaho, where new residential and commercial projects continue to shape communities throughout Bonner and Kootenai counties. Construction activity at various North Idaho sites underscores the continued growth and investment in the region’s infrastructure and housing stock.
For participants in Bonner County and the greater Sandpoint area, the Schweitzer gift certificate prize adds local relevance to the statewide drawing. Residents throughout the North Idaho Panhandle have long supported the NIC Foundation’s annual fundraiser as a way to both participate in a high-value raffle and contribute directly to community education.
How to Purchase Tickets Before the Deadline
Idaho residents can reserve tickets online at nic.edu/rbr or by calling 208-769-3271. Out-of-state residents may purchase tickets with cash or check at several North Idaho retail locations, including all Super 1 Foods stores in Kootenai County and Sandpoint, Yoke’s Fresh Market in Post Falls, and Watson’s Market in Osburn.
Tickets can also be purchased in person — using cash, check, or credit card — at the NIC Workforce Training Center in Post Falls or the NIC Foundation office in Coeur d’Alene.
With the early bird deadline just days away and half the available tickets already sold, community members interested in participating are encouraged to act quickly. Organizers note that the raffle has sold out every year it has been held, meaning remaining tickets are expected to go fast.
The Really BIG Raffle directly funds programs and services that benefit students enrolled at North Idaho College, an institution that serves thousands of students annually across the North Idaho region, including many residents of Bonner County and surrounding communities.
What Comes Next
The early bird prize deadline is April 30, 2026. Tickets purchased after that date remain eligible for the grand prize drawing but will not be entered for the two $1,000 Costco gift cards. The grand prize drawing date has not been specified in available information, but organizers encourage interested buyers to secure tickets immediately given limited availability. For full details, visit nic.edu/rbr or call 208-769-3271.