The Postcode Lottery’s Jorun and Tom Stiansen are responsible for distributing prizes to all the winners – and funds to good causes. Starting March 1, the NHRF will also receive a visit from the two. Photo: Postcode Lottery.
In the Postcode Lottery, you participate with your postcode, and therefore you always win together with your neighbours – who also have tickets. While ticket buyers get the chance to win great cash prizes and maybe receive a visit from Tom and Jorun Stiansen, neighbours simultaneously contribute to supporting good causes.
Together we can make a difference
When many people participate in the Postcode Lottery together, it leads to fantastic results. Altogether, the Postcode Lotteries in Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands have contributed more than NOK 150 billion to nonprofit organizations, making the lotteries one of the world's largest private contributors to charitable causes.
In Norway, the Postcode Lottery has so far raised more than NOK 600 million for WWF World Wildlife Fund and SOS Children's Villages. “It is truly wonderful for us to welcome the Norwegian Human Rights Fund to the Postcode Lottery,” says ambassador Jorun Stiansen. “We know that you do incredibly important work at the NHRF, and we are both proud and humbled to be allowed to contribute to this important effort,” adds colleague Tom Stiansen.
What exactly is a postcode?
In the Postcode Lottery, your ticket number is based on your postal code and your postcode in Norway. Each postal code is divided into several postcodes, each representing a street, road, or area. This ensures that the winner not only wins for themselves but together with their neighbours. The prizes do not go to one lucky winner alone but are shared among all ticket holders in the neighbourhood.
This is part of what has made the Postcode Lottery a success. “It is always fun to win money,” laughs Tom Stiansen, “but even more fun to win together with your neighbours.” Equally important is that every single ticket also contributes to something bigger. “At least 50 percent of the lottery’s revenue—after prizes are paid out—goes to good causes,” explains Jorun Stiansen.
Read more: See Tom and Jorun explain how the Postcode Lottery works.
Great importance to the NHRF
“That this will have major significance for the work we do is beyond doubt,” confirms NHRF Executive Director Ingeborg Moa. “We live in a turbulent world where authoritarian forces are growing, and support for human rights and human rights defenders is declining. Every contribution is important, but perhaps especially contributions that are long-term, stable, and free of conditions or restrictions—such as the funds from the Postcode Lottery,” says Ingeborg.
Because the funds from the Postcode Lottery are not earmarked, organizations can always use them where the need is greatest and where they make the most impact.
