<p style="text-align: right;"><em>Header Image Provided by Matthew Schneider</em></p>
<p><em>Magic: The Gathering</em> 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 <a href="https://mountainmagesigs.com/">MountainMage</a> in social media circles, is resuming his annual <em>Magic</em> Charity Raffle, which blends both of these things!</p>
<p>We interviewed MountainMage in advance of the 9th annual MountainMage Charity Raffle, benefiting the <a href="https://www.fullercenterfl.org/">Fuller Center</a> of Boca Raton in Florida, to find out more about this wonderful event.</p>
<div id="attachment_170682" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588107980_18544118026060456_4604072790486293524_n.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-170682" class="wp-image-170682" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588107980_18544118026060456_4604072790486293524_n.jpg" alt="Lot A: Signed Cards. Image credit: Matthew Schneider" width="700" height="525" srcset="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588107980_18544118026060456_4604072790486293524_n.jpg 1440w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588107980_18544118026060456_4604072790486293524_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588107980_18544118026060456_4604072790486293524_n-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588107980_18544118026060456_4604072790486293524_n-768x577.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-170682" class="wp-caption-text">Lot A: Signed Cards. Image credit: Matthew Schneider</p></div>
<h2>The MountainMage Interview Begins</h2>
<p><strong><em>JN: What caused you to want to conduct this event?</em></strong></p>
<p><em>Matthew Schneider:</em> 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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong><em>It’s been nearly ten years now since this event began. How has the charity raffle format changed since the first go-around?</em></strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<div id="attachment_170680" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588618917_18544118023060456_5734880096705985994_n.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-170680" class="wp-image-170680" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588618917_18544118023060456_5734880096705985994_n.jpg" alt="Lot B: Artist Proofs. Image credit: Matthew Schneider" width="700" height="419" srcset="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588618917_18544118023060456_5734880096705985994_n.jpg 1440w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588618917_18544118023060456_5734880096705985994_n-300x180.jpg 300w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588618917_18544118023060456_5734880096705985994_n-1024x613.jpg 1024w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588618917_18544118023060456_5734880096705985994_n-768x460.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-170680" class="wp-caption-text">Lot B: Artist Proofs. Image credit: Matthew Schneider</p></div>
<div>
<p><em><strong>How much money did the raffle raise last year, and what’s the target goal this time around?</strong></em></p>
<p>So far, this is how much I've raised each year:</p>
</div>
<div>2017: $990</div>
<div>2018: $2000</div>
<div>2019: $6180</div>
<div>2020: $5320</div>
<div>2021: $7500</div>
<div>2022: $2930</div>
<div>2023: $2420</div>
<div>2024: $2300</div>
<div></div>
<div>The goal this year, I would say, is $2500, which would put us above our lowest years. Also, we only need to raise $360 to pass $30,000 total raised over the nine years!</p>
<hr />
</div>
<h2>On The Available Lots</h2>
<div>
<p><em><strong>How many lots does the event offer this year?</strong></em></p>
<p>This year, there are six prize lots:<br />
Lot A: The signed card lot<br />
Lot B: The artist proof lot<br />
Lot C: The MTG and MTG accessory lot<br />
Lot D: Playmat lot - Just Lil' Guys<br />
Lot E: Playmat lot - Nature vs. Nurture vs. Wizard<br />
Lot F: The art print lot</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div id="attachment_170683" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/584143235_18544118038060456_4053228468313953708_n.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-170683" class="wp-image-170683" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/584143235_18544118038060456_4053228468313953708_n.jpg" alt="Lot C: MTG and MTG Accessories. Image credit: Matthew Schneider" width="700" height="411" srcset="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/584143235_18544118038060456_4053228468313953708_n.jpg 1440w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/584143235_18544118038060456_4053228468313953708_n-300x176.jpg 300w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/584143235_18544118038060456_4053228468313953708_n-1024x602.jpg 1024w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/584143235_18544118038060456_4053228468313953708_n-768x451.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-170683" class="wp-caption-text">Lot C: MTG and MTG Accessories. Image credit: Matthew Schneider</p></div>
<div>
<p><em><strong>In your opinion, what are the coolest items in each lot?</strong></em></p>
<p>In lot A, there is a playset worth of copies of retro <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goblin Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Goblin Engineer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <a href="https://www.jehanchoo.com/?utm_source=edhrec">Jehan Choo</a> 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.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div>In lot B, there are four sketched artist proofs, including a Secret Lair <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Signet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <a href="http://www.puffygator.com/?utm_source=edhrec">Nana Qi</a>. There are also signed artist proofs from <a href="https://www.zackstella.com/?utm_source=edhrec">Zack Stella</a>, including a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<p>In lot C, there is a collectors pack of Aetherdrift as well as a French <em>Urza's Saga</em> pack, and a sealed <em>Final Fantasy</em> Secret Lair!</p>
<p>In lots D and E, there are some really cool signed playmats, including a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jeweled Lotus" href="#" target="_blank">Jeweled Lotus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <a href="https://www.lenarichards.com/?utm_source=edhrec">Lena Richards</a> and a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh" href="#" target="_blank">Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <a href="https://www.andrewkmar.com/?utm_source=edhrec">Andrew Mar</a>!</p>
<p>In lot F, there is a huge <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Throne of Eldraine" href="#" target="_blank">Throne of Eldraine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> print donated by <a href="https://www.kieranyanner.com/?utm_source=edhrec">Kieran Yanner</a>!</p>
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</div>
<h2>On The <em>Magic</em> Community</h2>
<p><em><strong>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?</strong></em></p>
<p>I think that, overall, the <em>Magic: The Gathering</em> community is one of the best nerd fandoms out there. There are so many people doing good work, like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-hR5EfgpM6oHfiGDkxfMA">The Professor</a>, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/praetorsforchange.bsky.social">Praetors for Change</a>, <a href="http://magikids.org">MagiKids</a>, and the organizers of the <a href="https://hunterburtonmemorialopen.com/">Hunter Burton Memorial Open</a>.</p>
<div>
<p>Part of it is passion! We love our game dearly, and when we see an opportunity to do good by others through the avenue of the game we love, we show up. Of course, there is the prize element as well, at least with my raffle, but I feel that takes a backseat to raising money for charity.</p>
</div>
<div>
<div id="attachment_170684" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/586718021_18544118053060456_7543147904934850792_n.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-170684" class="wp-image-170684" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/586718021_18544118053060456_7543147904934850792_n.jpg" alt="Lot D: Just Lil' Guys. Image credit: Matthew Schneider" width="700" height="506" srcset="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/586718021_18544118053060456_7543147904934850792_n.jpg 1440w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/586718021_18544118053060456_7543147904934850792_n-300x217.jpg 300w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/586718021_18544118053060456_7543147904934850792_n-1024x740.jpg 1024w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/586718021_18544118053060456_7543147904934850792_n-768x555.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-170684" class="wp-caption-text">Lot D: Just Lil' Guys. Image credit: Matthew Schneider</p></div>
<p><strong><em>How did you manage to reach out to so many artists and other community figures who ultimately contributed to the raffle?</em></strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<div id="attachment_170685" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nature-vs-Nurture-vs-Wizard.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-170685" class="wp-image-170685" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nature-vs-Nurture-vs-Wizard.jpg" alt="Lot E: Nature vs Nurture vs Wizard. Image credit: Matthew Schneider" width="700" height="394" srcset="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nature-vs-Nurture-vs-Wizard.jpg 1920w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nature-vs-Nurture-vs-Wizard-300x169.jpg 300w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nature-vs-Nurture-vs-Wizard-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nature-vs-Nurture-vs-Wizard-768x432.jpg 768w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nature-vs-Nurture-vs-Wizard-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-170685" class="wp-caption-text">Lot E: Nature vs Nurture vs Wizard. Image credit: Matthew Schneider</p></div>
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</div>
<h2>Other Important Details</h2>
<p><em><strong>When and where is the 9th Annual MTG Charity Raffle being held?</strong></em></p>
<p>I always begin selling tickets after Thanksgiving in the United States (Nov. 27), and I do the live drawing on <a href="http://twitch.tv/MountainMage?utm_source=edhrec">Twitch</a> a day or two after Christmas.</p>
<p><em><strong>Is this raffle something that will only be conducted in person, or are there other ways to join up?</strong></em></p>
<p>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!</p>
<div>
<div id="attachment_170687" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588001480_18544118050060456_1737228459419677651_n.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-170687" class="wp-image-170687" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588001480_18544118050060456_1737228459419677651_n.jpg" alt="Lot F: The art print lot. Image credit: Matthew Schneider" width="700" height="525" srcset="https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588001480_18544118050060456_1737228459419677651_n.jpg 1440w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588001480_18544118050060456_1737228459419677651_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588001480_18544118050060456_1737228459419677651_n-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/588001480_18544118050060456_1737228459419677651_n-768x577.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-170687" class="wp-caption-text">Lot F: The art print lot. Image credit: Matthew Schneider</p></div>
</div>
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<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mountainmagesigs.com">Schneider's social media</a> for more information.</p>
<p>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 <em>not</em> offered that you'd want MountainMage to offer for a raffle in the future? Sound off in the comments below!</p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/the-art-of-playing-it-cool-in-commander</p>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/the-most-appetizing-food-tokens-in-magic</p>
<p>https://edhrec.com/articles/60-to-100-legacy-miracles</p>


mountainmage

An Interview With MountainMage on His Annual Charity Raffle