The donation game

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The Donation Game is a game show themed fundraising experience. It is a live event hosted in the home community of the organization benefiting from its proceeds.

The Donation Game is a concept developed by Windfall Fundraising.

The Donation Game invites 20 donors (“contestants”) to come together for a game show-styled event. All players are pre-committed to make a donation to the host organization.

The Donation Game experience begins when all donor contestants find their way to theater-style seating, facing a game show “stage.” A short welcome and GOOD LUCK are offered by a representative of the benefitting organization. The lights dim and music begins to play. Excitement builds as The Host enters the room to kickoff the games!

Games utilize simple and familiar props - spinning wheels, giant dice and mystery curtains. 

Each contestant comes to the stage to participate in a minimum one game. Game outcomes determine the specific dollar amount of each contestant’s donation to the benefitting organization.

The Donation Game wraps up with a grand finale, and last invitation to make an increased donation to the benefitting organization. Some players will depart with a significant prize (e.g. new set of golf clubs, gift card to a favorite local restaurant). One or two others are likely to end up with a “whammy” (gag gift). The Donation Game also provides an ideal time for the organization to distribute its logo-embroidered polo shirts or other swag. 

Immediately following gameplay, contestants make their donation directly to the benefitting organization (QR code, check, etc).

Donors agreeing to play The Donation Game pre-commit to make a donation within the range of $500 to $5000. The specific amount of each donor/contestant’s donation is based on the random results of playing the various games of chance. Outcomes are not pre-determined, manipulated or altered in any way.

Opportunities to increase personal participation - both in the games and in making financial contributions - will be offered and encouraged by The Host and fellow contestants.

Even if a committed donor is unable to attend the actual event, the donation is honored and, likewise, the specific amount of donation will be determined by game play (i.e. someone else will serve as a stand-in for the missing contestant).  

Absolutely not. The Donation Game and all Windfall Fundraising services are provided, and experiences hosted, with utmost attention to fair and unaltered play and outcomes. Further, Windfall Fundraising adheres to the professional ethical standards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. 

An organization hosting The Donation Game has a lot less to do than when putting together a large gala or similar event. The following activities are the responsibility of the benefitting organization’s staff and/or volunteer team:

• Invite and secure the participation of 20 donors willing to play The Donation Game

• Secure a comfortable private space where a social hour and The Donation Game can be hosted

• Arrange for food and beverage.  A 60-minute social hour will provide time for donors to eat and drink, and beverages may continue to be consumed while playing The Donation Game

• Provide for participant gifts and prizes: e.g. polo shirts embroidered with the host organization’s logo, gift cards to local restaurants, a fabulous grand prize

• Assign a photographer (staff, volunteer, professional) to capture highlights of the event, providing good social media content for sharing by the benefitting organization

Windfall Fundraising helps to plan for and successfully complete each of these tasks.

The Donation Game is designed to raise $50,000 or more for an organization. The Donation Game works because it requires pre-commitment of donations. Thus, it is a reliable endeavor that "pays for itself" when properly executed. 

Expenses to host The Donation Game include host fee, venue, food and beverage, and donor/player gifts and prizes, totaling no more than 22% of the fundraising effort.

There are ways to significantly decrease expenses - thus increase net revenues:

• Secure sponsorship and/or in-kind donations (e.g. venue, food and beverage) to reduce hard costs of The Donation Game

• Take advantage of the discounted rate offered by Windfall Fundraising for committing to multiple events

The Donation Game is a live event that comes to the benefitting organization’s home community. It is best played at a venue with plenty of space for…

• Staging the game show set

• Theater-style seating for 20-30 people

• Hospitality (food and drink)

Ideal spaces: 1,200 square feet in a hotel conference room, co-working space or office building. A venue that is centrally located, with free/easy parking and ADA-compliant access, works best. Even better is a space that is donated/discounted to maximize the hosting organization’s efforts to raise funds.

The Donation Game can be provided as an add-on to an existing event (e.g. golf tournament) or as a stand-alone gathering. The Donation Game is available most any date and time suited to the benefitting organization and its donors.

Yes!  The Donation Game is easily modified to accommodate…

• Larger dollar donation amounts

• More donors

• Favorite games

• Special prizes

The Donation Game…

• Is an intriguing alternative to traditional fundraising events

• Energizes existing events

• Offers donors a fun way to contribute, even providing a bit of a ‘give back’

• Benefits from pre-committed donations, such that a guaranteed minimum will be raised (even if a donor is unable to participate in the experience)

• Involves donors of significant giving capacity

• Provides an easy “entry point” for new donors to get involved with an organization

• Results in quality social media content

• Requires far fewer staff/volunteer hours than other events, with expertise and support provided by The Windfall Fundraising team

Everyone wins when playing The Donation Game!

Discounts are available for organizations committing to multiple events. Windfall Fundraising encourages benefitting organizations to secure a sponsor or in-kind donations to cover the host fee and costs of venue, food and beverage. 

 Please contact us directly for an immediate response.