Started in 2007 as a way to help struggling Catholic Schools, the Catholic Schools Charitable Raffles have raised $15 Million, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the schools.
For the first three years, the program was run as a pilot with participation that was limited to schools in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. After the first year, it was evident that the program was a winner. In 2011, the program was opened to all Catholic schools in Texas. That year 41 schools chose to participate in the program. Prizes grew from one grand prize to a grand prize and secondary prizes for each school that participated. In 2007, 13 schools participated. In 2023, 73 schools participated in the Catholic School Sweepstakes.
Ticket sales begin the fall, and the drawing has historically coincided with Catholic Schools Week.