The Donor Engagement Card Game is a deck of 52 playing cards designed to assist fundraisers in the field. The object of the game is simply to generate fundraising ideas for donor solicitation and stewardship. It was created by nonprofit experts at DonorPerfect and is based on a strategic framework called the Donor Engagement Models.

Each card includes an engagement prompt to complete. Each of the 4 suits represents a fundraising goal to reach: 1) convert supporters, 2) increase participation, 3) reduce donor churn, and 4) gain new contacts.

The game can be played individually or as a group. Participants can use either the physical card deck or the online game, both of which are available for free.

Donor Engagement Models are a strategic framework that improves nonprofit sustainability by streamlining donor outreach, nurturing promising segments, and maximizing internal resources. Created by the DonorPerfect team, the 4 models (Funnel, Pyramid, Loop, and Network) can be used to visualize and shape fundraising from a 30,000-foot view.

Each model represents a fundraising goal:

• Funnel – Convert supporters
• Pyramid – Increase participation
• Loop – Reduce donor churn
• Network – Gain new contacts

DonorPerfect offers a complimentary PDF guide with in-depth explanations and examples of each model, available for free download.

No, you can work toward each goal concurrently. Your Donor Engagement Card Game deck includes 13 Funnel cards (convert supporters), 13 Pyramid cards (increase participation), 13 Loop cards (reduce donor churn), and 13 Network cards (gain new contacts).

However, if you’d like to zero in on a specific goal, any of the suggested games can be played on a smaller scale (High/Low; Make 21; Solve a Scenario; and Pick a Card, Any Card). For example, if zeroing in on donor acquisition, you can temporarily remove the Pyramid and Loop cards from your deck to focus on the Funnel and Network.

Yes! You are free to use the 52 fundraising ideas however you see fit.

Here is the full list of free fundraising ideas in each deck:

• Share an impactful story on social media.
• Spruce up your online donation form.
• Follow 50 potential donors on social media.
• Create a sign-up form to collect email addresses.
• Create an email list for an important donor group.
• Update print appeals with a QR code for donations.
• Brainstorm ideas for a crowdfunding campaign.
• Chat with a potential donor about a new initiative.
• Offer a tour of your facilities or mission work.
• Make a video highlighting a recent impact story.
• Start planning a virtual “giving day” event.
• Analyze your donor groups to create personas.
• Create an email welcome series for new donors.
• Add a beneficiary’s story to your donation form.
• Create a survey to learn more about your donors.
• Assign a team member to a target donor group.
• Report on lapsed donors for re-engagement ideas.
• Engage donors who RSVPd to your event, but couldn’t attend.
• Invite a consistent donor to participate in advocacy activities.
• Create a list of sponsors for a matching gift campaign.
• Write a volunteer impact email to encourage signups.
• Share impact descriptions for your monthly gift amounts.
• Brainstorm ideas for a small, intimate donor appreciation event.
• Invite select donors to a strategic planning discussion.
• Partner with a local business to promote your next event.
• Start an ambassador program for peer-to-peer fundraising.
• Ask a committed donor out for coffee or lunch.
• Call a recent donor to share the impact of their gift.
• Express gratitude to a non-monetary supporter.
• Create a thank-you message for signups and requests.
• Record a video asking new donors about their interests.
• Send out a list of upcoming advocacy opportunities.
• Report on and share the annual impact of recurring gifts.
• Give a progress update for a goal you’re working on.
• Automate gift receipts for immediate acknowledgment.
• Learn how to map donor journeys for your supporters.
• Offer exclusive content (e.g., early access to resources).
• Establish multi-year pledge options with tiered recognition.
• Start a loyalty program with perks for long-term donors.
• Brainstorm ways to involve partners in your next campaign.
• Brainstorm referral incentives for new donors or volunteers.
• Look into local events to get your nonprofit’s name out.
• Set up a lunch with a loyal donor and have them bring a friend.
• Ask board members to list contacts who fit your donor personas.
• Create email templates for board members to engage their friends.
• Create a workflow to track donor communication preferences.
• Create a free resource that prospects can download.
• Create a customizable template for partnership proposals.
• Engage corporate sponsors for employee giving programs.
• Host a networking event to introduce people to your nonprofit.
• Launch a donor-driven peer-to-peer fundraising campaign.
• Start a partnership program with benefits for participants.