Integrated Capital Cards: How to Play

The Integrated Capital Card Deck is a tool that can help fund managers, funders and impact investors learn how to deploy integrated capital to close the racial wealth divide.


The bilingual (English/Spanish) deck is made up of 123 cards in 7 suits that help match types of capital and transaction structures with startups, small businesses and nonprofits that are contributing to building regenerative and equitable economies. The deck includes Impact Criteria and Impact Covenants so that all transactions fully integrate both financial and impact expectations.

How to Play

In addition to serving as a glossary and flash cards, the deck can be used in an in-person or online learning format so that participants can engage in the following games:

Integrated Capital Cards game photo

Role Play: Each player randomly selects a card from within a suit, such as “Local Stakeholders” or “Transaction Structure.” Game host offers a case study of an enterprise seeking investment. Players work together in their roles to come up with possible transaction structures and other solutions to the enterprise’s needs.

Integrated Capital Cards game photo

Build Your Own Hand: Each player selects as many cards as they wish to in order to tell a story from their own experience about a transaction they’ve been involved with in the past or want to create in the future. Once the cards are selected, they should be set aside as a hand. Players take turns sharing their stories.

Integrated Capital Cards game photo

Play the Hand You’ve Been Dealt: Each player selects one card from each suit. The objective is to come up with a possible transaction based on the cards in their hand. Players can trade in up to three cards to construct a better hand. Players take turns sharing their stories.

These games can be played in breakout rooms, followed by learning debrief and discussion. The effect of playing is to deepen participants’ understanding of creative financial tools for solving wealth inequality, as well as to broaden their view of how multiple stakeholders can solve problems together. Want to play a game with expert guidance from BII? Contact us to learn more.

Host a game night (or day) for your group

The Boston Impact Initiative team is available to host a gaming session for your group. Each round of play will be broken down into teams of 3-6 players in breakout rooms. Games can be designed for all experience levels.

For finance professionals:

For first-time investors, entrepreneurs and community members:

Sample Game Design: 90 minutes

Introduction to the Purpose and Possibility of the Integrated Capital Cards
Game #1: Build Your Own Hand

Game #2: Case Study

Reflection: How might this process serve you in your work?

The Boston Impact Initiative team is available to host a gaming session for your group. Each round of play will be broken down into teams of 3-6 players in breakout rooms. Games can be designed for all experience levels.