Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, with jackpots that can grow into the hundreds of millions of dollars. A portion of each Powerball ticket sale goes towards funding special projects, initiatives, and non-profit organizations in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. However, the exact amount that goes to charity varies by state.
Powerball Overview
Powerball is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), a non-profit organization formed by an agreement between participating lotteries. MUSL oversees the development of game rules and procedures, production of the drawing equipment, advertising, and other administrative duties.
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play. Of each $2 ticket, here is the allocation breakdown:
- 50 cents goes towards the jackpot prize pool
- 50 cents goes towards other prize tiers (non-jackpot prizes)
- At least 30 cents goes to the lottery jurisdiction where the ticket was sold
- Remainder covers retailer commissions and MUSL operations
The 30 cents minimum that goes to the lottery jurisdiction is where funds can be allocated towards state beneficiary funds, including education, environmental projects, senior citizens programs, and more. However, the exact amount and programs funded are determined individually by each participating state.
State Beneficiary Funds
While Powerball aims to offer life-changing jackpot prizes to players, funds generated from Powerball ticket sales also support worthwhile causes in each participating state. Money for beneficiary funds comes from the 30 cents minimum allocation to lottery jurisdictions from each $2 ticket sold in that state.
States have flexibility in how they use proceeds for beneficiary funds. Common beneficiaries include:
- Education – public schools, colleges, scholarships
- Environment – wildlife conservation, state parks
- Senior citizens – meals, prescription drugs
- Veterans services
- General fund – infrastructure, health care, public safety
Since 1987, Powerball has raised over $25 billion for good causes supported by lottery beneficiary funds across participating states.
How Much Goes to Charity By State
While Powerball contributes billions to beneficiary funds nationally, the amount allocated to charity specifically varies widely by state based on local legislation.
Arizona
Arizona allocates $0.04 from each Powerball ticket sold to various environmental causes, including:
- Heritage Fund – supports parks, trails, and wildlife areas
- Conservation Fund – maintains nature areas and educates about conservation
- Zoological Fund – funds the Phoenix and Tucson zoos
Over $155 million has gone to these environmental funds from Arizona Powerball ticket sales since 1996.
Arkansas
Arkansas Powerball sales generate over $20 million per year for college scholarships through the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. Over $1 billion in scholarships have been awarded since 2009.
Colorado
The Colorado Lottery designates a minimum of $0.08 from each Powerball ticket sold to its Conservation Trust Fund, which supports parks, recreation, wildlife, trails, and open space projects across the state. Over $161 million has gone to the fund from Colorado Powerball sales since 2002.
Connecticut
Connecticut contributes $0.05 from every $1 Powerball ticket sold to its Chronic Gamblers Treatment Rehabilitation Fund, which supports prevention and treatment of gambling addictions. Over $8 million has gone to problem gambling programs from Connecticut Powerball sales.
Delaware
Delaware contributes a minimum $0.04 from each Powerball ticket to fund non-profits in the state working on substance abuse education, prevention, and treatment. Over $5.5 million has been raised for Delaware non-profits from Powerball ticket sales.
District of Columbia
The District allocates $0.052 of each Powerball ticket sold to the Homeless Services Fund, which supports shelters, mental health services, and feeding programs for DC residents experiencing homelessness. Powerball sales have raised $18 million for DC homelessness programs since 2009.
Idaho
Idaho contributes $0.02 from every Powerball ticket sold to the Public School Income Fund, plus additional revenues to the Permanent Building Fund, which supports maintenance and capital projects at public colleges and universities across the state.
Indiana
Powerball sales in Indiana raise approximately $15 million annually for local police and firefighters pension funds across the state through the Public Pension Fund.
Iowa
Iowa allocates at least $0.025 from each Powerball ticket sold to the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund, which provides assistance to veterans and their families. More than $50 million has been raised for the IVTF from Powerball proceeds since 2008.
Kansas
Kansas legislation guarantees at least $0.05 from the sale of each Powerball ticket goes to the Economic Development Initiative Fund, which supports business expansion, job creation, and community growth. More than $41 million has gone to this fund from Kansas Powerball sales since 2007.
Louisiana
Louisianadirects proceeds from Powerball sales to the Lottery Proceeds Fund, which supports college scholarships, free college tuition programs, and elementary and secondary education in the state. More than $1 billion in Lottery Proceeds funds have gone towards Louisiana education programs.
Maine
Maine allocates 40% of Powerball revenue, approximately $0.08 of each $2 ticket sold, to the the Outdoor Heritage Fund. This provides grants to conserve wildlife habitat and maintain environmental quality across the state.
Minnesota
Minnesota statute guarantees at least $0.034 from every Powerball ticket sold goes to the state’s Natural Resources Fund and the Game & Fish Fund, which both support environmental conservation. More than $82 million has been raised for these funds from Minnesota Powerball sales.
Missouri
Missouri contributes $0.045 from each Powerball ticket sold to public education through its Lottery Proceeds Fund. More than $1 billion has been transferred to support K-12 schools in Missouri from Powerball ticket proceeds since 2003.
Montana
Montana Powerball sales raise over $1.5 million annually for the state’s General Fund, where it helps pay for essential services like health care programs, public safety, infrastructure, and more. Overall, Powerball has contributed over $41 million to Montana’s General Fund.
Nebraska
The Nebraska Environmental Trust receives $0.025 from each Powerball ticket sold, using the funds to improve habitat, conserve water, and establish nature areas across the state. More than $27 million has been raised for the Trust from Powerball sales since 2003.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire allocates $0.05 from every Powerball ticket sold to education, directing proceeds to school building aid and funding full-day kindergarten programs across the state.
New Mexico
New Mexico statute requires 30% of gross Powerball revenues to be transferred to the Lottery Tuition Fund, which provides college scholarships and tuition assistance. Powerball sales have raised over $100 million for New Mexico higher education.
North Dakota
North Dakota contributes a fixed percentage of gross Powerball revenues to the state’s General Fund, providing unrestricted funding for priorities like education, health care, and addiction treatment services. More than $26 million to date has gone to the General Fund from Powerball sales.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma allocates 38% of gross proceeds from Powerball sales to education. Since 2006, Oklahoma public schools have received over $170 million in funding from Powerball ticket revenues.
Oregon
Oregon contributes 15% of Powerball earnings to parks and recreation, historic preservation, and natural resources. More than $63 million has gone to support outdoor spaces and conservation across Oregon from Powerball ticket proceeds.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania guarantees at least $0.05 of each Powerball ticket sold goes to providing property tax and rent rebates to older adults and disabled residents. Powerball sales have raised more than $338 million for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program since 2002.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island directs all proceeds from Powerball ticket sales to its General Fund, where funds support local cities and towns, K-12 education, health and human services, public safety, infrastructure, and more. Over $1 billion has been raised for Rhode Island’s General Fund from Powerball sales since 2003.
South Carolina
By law, 30% of South Carolina’s Powerball revenue (approximately $0.06 per ticket) goes to support education in the state, including K-12 school programs, reading initiatives, and college scholarships. More than $300 million has been raised for South Carolina education from Powerball sales.
South Dakota
South Dakota contributes $0.035 from each Powerball ticket sold to the Capital Construction Fund, which finances building and maintenance projects at public universities, parks, prisons, and other state facilities across South Dakota.
Tennessee
Tennessee allocates 50% of Powerball revenue to education programs, including college scholarships, grants, and after-school initiatives. More than $1.5 billion has been raised for Tennessee education from Powerball ticket sales since 2004.
Vermont
Vermont contributes 25% of gross Powerball revenue to the State Education Fund, which helps pay for K-12 education equally across all communities. Powerball proceeds have raised more than $137 million for the State Education Fund.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin directs approximately $0.035 from each Powerball ticket sold to property tax relief for state residents. In total, Powerball sales have raised more than $188 million in property tax relief across Wisconsin since 2003.
Wyoming
Wyoming allocates $0.04 from each Powerball ticket sale to local cities, towns, and counties through its County Consensus Block Grant Program, which supports local priorities ranging from infrastructure to health services.
Powerball Charity Totals
In total, U.S. Powerball sales have raised tens of billions of dollars for good causes and community programs across participating states since the multi-state game began in 1992. While Powerball offers life-changing jackpots for players, its contributions to education, environmental conservation, services for seniors and veterans, and more should not be overlooked. State beneficiary funds provide a guaranteed way for Powerball ticket purchases to give back.
Here is a summary of key Powerball charity facts:
- Over $25 billion raised for beneficiary funds nationally since 1987
- Amount allocated per ticket varies from $0.02 up to $0.08+ depending on state
- Most states designate funds for environment, education, seniors, veterans
- Some states also fund problem gambling programs
- Powerball is coordinated by the non-profit MUSL organization
While Powerball prizes attract the most attention, the game’s mandated allocations to good causes across participating states is an often overlooked benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about how much of Powerball ticket sales go to charity:
How much of each Powerball ticket sold goes to charity?
There is no fixed national amount that goes to charity from Powerball tickets. Each participating state lottery designates at least 30 cents from each $2 ticket sold in their jurisdiction to state beneficiary funds, which include various charitable causes depending on local laws. The amount allocated ranges from 30 cents up to 52 cents or more per ticket among states.
What types of charities and causes receive Powerball funding?
Common beneficiaries include education programs (K-12, colleges, scholarships), environmental conservation, state parks, services for veterans and senior citizens, infrastructure projects, general state funds, and more. Some states also dedicate Powerball proceeds to gambling addiction treatment programs.
Which states allocate the most Powerball revenue to charity?
Rhode Island and South Carolina currently designate the most per ticket to state beneficiary funds, with over 50 cents from each $2 ticket. Other states with above average allocations include Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, and Washington D.C.
How much has Powerball raised for charity since it began?
U.S. Powerball sales have raised over $25 billion for state beneficiary funds and charitable causes since the multi-state game began in 1988. Billions more have been raised since individual state lotteries began in the 1970s.
Who administers Powerball and beneficiary funds?
Powerball is administered by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), a non-profit run by state lottery directors. Each member state lottery is responsible for overseeing its own beneficiary funds allocations within their jurisdiction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Powerball dedicates billions towards state beneficiary funds supporting worthy causes across the U.S. While the exact amount going to charity per ticket varies by state, almost all jurisdiction guarantee at least 30 cents from each $2 ticket sold helps fund education, environmental conservation, services for veterans and seniors, and more through their lottery beneficiary funds. So the next time you buy a Powerball ticket dreaming of a huge jackpot, remember part of your ticket purchase also goes to support charitable initiatives in your state.
