Header Image Provided by Matthew Schneider

Magic: The Gathering is a game of luck, skill, sociality, and resource management. In this way, it can be likened to a charity benefit raffle. Fortunately, people like Matthew Schneider, also known as MountainMage in social media circles, is resuming his annual Magic Charity Raffle, which blends both of these things!

We interviewed MountainMage in advance of the 9th annual MountainMage Charity Raffle, benefiting the Fuller Center of Boca Raton in Florida, to find out more about this wonderful event.

Lot A: Signed Cards. Image credit: Matthew Schneider

The MountainMage Interview Begins

JN: What caused you to want to conduct this event?

Matthew Schneider: In 2017, I had been doing my signature service side-hustle for a bit more than a year. I thought to myself, "I have a large number of members in my group at this point; maybe there's some good I can do with that for my local community." When I asked for prize donations, I was pleasantly surprised that people were happy to donate items for the raffle.

There was an organization that is near and dear to my heart, The Fuller Center, because I was seeing firsthand the good work that they did. Having gone to college in Boca Raton and seeing my wife's work there, I was aware of the large population of parents who were struggling financially, even though Boca has a reputation for being a rich retirement city.

Those parents need a place where their kids can get both daycare/schooling and meals provided, so I knew that their mission was a vital one and that they needed all the help they could get.

It’s been nearly ten years now since this event began. How has the charity raffle format changed since the first go-around?

It's stayed somewhat consistent year to year: some number of prize lots, ticket bundles that can be purchased for set amounts, and then the donor can divide their tickets towards whichever lots they wish. Then I pull one name "out of a hat" using an online randomizer for each lot, and that person wins the whole lot.

In the first year, we had three prize lots, and last year, we only had two. But there have been years where we've had nine or more prize lots! This year we have six.

Lot B: Artist Proofs. Image credit: Matthew Schneider

On The Available Lots

How many lots does the event offer this year?

This year, there are six prize lots:
Lot A: The signed card lot
Lot B: The artist proof lot
Lot C: The MTG and MTG accessory lot
Lot D: Playmat lot - Just Lil' Guys
Lot E: Playmat lot - Nature vs. Nurture vs. Wizard
Lot F: The art print lot

 

Lot C: MTG and MTG Accessories. Image credit: Matthew Schneider

In your opinion, what are the coolest items in each lot?

In lot A, there is a playset worth of copies of retro Goblin EngineerGoblin Engineer. Jehan Choo cannot currently sign for money because of his position at Wizards of the Coast, but was nice enough to donate four signatures for the raffle.

On The Magic Community

It’s not always about the quality of the prize, though, of course; it’s often about community generosity. Why do you feel the Magic community is so generous when it comes to raising funds for charity?

I think that, overall, the Magic: The Gathering community is one of the best nerd fandoms out there. There are so many people doing good work, like The Professor, Praetors for Change, MagiKids, and the organizers of the Hunter Burton Memorial Open.

Lot D: Just Lil' Guys. Image credit: Matthew Schneider

How did you manage to reach out to so many artists and other community figures who ultimately contributed to the raffle?

The connections I've created over the years through my business, both with my customers and the artists I work with, have led to lovely prize lots every year. It can be hard to ask for donations, at least for me, because I don't like to pressure anyone to give. But time and time again, everyone has proven their generosity by responding positively to my asks.

I always donate some items myself, but I could definitely not make this raffle work without the prizes contributed by the artists and customers of the MountainMage community. Sometimes, I'll ask over email when I mail out cards to an artist, sometimes I'll ask in person at events like MagicCon, and I always ask before selling tickets if anyone wants to send something last-minute.

I usually get a steady trickle of prizes throughout the year and have a nice stockpile by the time I start that year's raffle.

Lot E: Nature vs Nurture vs Wizard. Image credit: Matthew Schneider

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Other Important Details

When and where is the 9th Annual MTG Charity Raffle being held?

I always begin selling tickets after Thanksgiving in the United States (Nov. 27), and I do the live drawing on Twitch a day or two after Christmas.

Is this raffle something that will only be conducted in person, or are there other ways to join up?

The drawing is done entirely online, so you don't need to go anywhere or do anything to win, other than buying tickets, of course!

Lot F: The art print lot. Image credit: Matthew Schneider

Conclusion

Thank you so much to MountainMage for allowing us to conduct this delightful interview! We hope the charity raffle goes smoothly and that the funds benefiting the Fuller Center are plentiful.

For all those interested in taking part in this benefit, MountainMage will give official details for this year's event sometime soon. Keep an eye on Schneider's social media for more information.

And now, let's open the floor to you, dear readers! Are these prize lots enticing to you? Which lot do you have your eyes most glued to? Alternatively, are there any lots not offered that you'd want MountainMage to offer for a raffle in the future? Sound off in the comments below!

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