Gamers Outreach Foundation (stylized as Gamers Outreach) is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization that provides entertainment to hospitalized families through video games. The organization was started in 2007 in response to a canceled Halo tournament. Present-day, Gamers Outreach oversees devices and services to help hospitals manage video game content. The organization works to help families cope with treatment inside hospitals while reinforcing healthcare staff. According to its website, Gamers Outreach programs enable as many as 3 million gaming experiences[1] each year for patients across hundreds of healthcare facilities.
History
In March 2007, more than 300 individuals had registered to participate in a Halo 2 tournament organized by Saline High School student Zach Wigal.[2]
Still determined to host a tournament, Wigal[3] and his friends began organizing a new event to illustrate the positive impact gamers can make when they come together to play video games. In 2008, Wigal tapped local LAN Party runners MPCon[4][better source needed] to assist in the collaboration and launch of Gamers For Giving (GFG),[5] a competitive gaming tournament and LAN party that provided gamers with an opportunity to participate in gaming activities, while simultaneously raising money for charity.
In the process of planning the new tournament, Gamers Outreach Foundation[6] was established. While the original purpose of the organization was to facilitate GFG, the newly founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit began taking on a life of its own.
As interest in GFG grew, so did the scope of Gamers Outreach's mission. In 2009, Gamers Outreach began working with C.S. Mott Children's Hospital of Ann Arbor, Michigan, to provide video games to hospitalized children.[7]
Programs and initiatives
The GO Kart] 3.0, the latest iteration of Gamers Outreach's gaming kiosks, designed for use at medical facilities.
Gamers Outreach has different programs and initiatives designed to fulfill their mission including the GO Kart program, Player 2, and Save Point.
GO Kart
Short for “Gamers Outreach Kart”, the GO Kart program is the foundation’s signature program.
Now in its 3.0 iteration, the GO Kart is a medical-grade gaming kiosk equipped with a monitor, a current-generation gaming console, and controllers. Each component is powered by a single plug for plug-and-play portability.
The GO Kart can be disinfected easily and have 360 degrees of movement thanks to its swivel wheels, making them ideal for transport and hospitals. They also include a lift mechanism that allows the height to be adjusted[8]. Equipped monitors can also be adjusted to be played horizontally or vertically, intended for patients who want to play while lying down on their side.
As of November 2024, iterations of the GO Kart can be found in over 350 health facilities worldwide.[9] On top of supporting donations, the foundation maintains a "hospital wishlist" to constantly fulfill GO Kart requests from organizations or medical facilities that would like to have one.
The GRID
The GRID is Gamers Outreach’s monthly donor program. Supporters of The GRID get access to perks such as early access to Gamers For Giving tickets, a monthly newsletter and gift, and also have the privilege of attending a quarterly call with the Gamers Outreach staff to stay updated on all happenings within the foundation.
Player 2
The Player 2 program is a volunteer initiative that pairs gamers with opportunities to give back at hospitals. Interested volunteers can apply and hospitals may enroll their facilities on the Gamers Outreach website.
The program is designed to assist hospitals in need of specialized volunteers available during weekday business hours, making these roles attractive for college gamers looking to get hospital volunteer time and experience.
Player 2 volunteer responsibilities include bringing gaming and entertainment to hospital patients, ensuring that gaming equipment is clean and well maintained, and playing games with patients that need it. Hospitals also assign additional tasks to Player 2 Volunteers as necessary.
Save Point
The Save Point program allows for health care facilities to expand their distribution of toys, games, wearables, and other key items to children receiving care using high-tech vending machines.
Through dedicated Save Point machines, kids can be equipped with take-home items to help inspire a sense of accomplishment as they progress through treatment.
Ways to support the Save Point program or have hospitals request their own can be found on the Gamers Outreach website.
Fundraising Events and "Streamathons"
Gamers Outreach has several programs and initiatives to assist in their fundraising efforts. The most popular of which include streamathons, where affiliated content creators and streamers host charity streams on their Twitch pages with Gamers Outreach as the primary beneficiary. The foundation’s annual events include Gamers For Giving, VTuber Summer Slam, Spooktacular Streamathon, and Jolly Jamboree.
All funds collected from these events support Gamers Outreach’s main programs.
Gamers For Giving
Gamers For Giving is Gamers Outreach’s biggest event of the year and is considered to be the foundation’s annual kickoff event.
GFG consists of both an in-person production featuring a LAN Party and video game tournaments, and an online fundraising marathon to raise funds for the foundation’s programming initiatives.
Over 1,200 people attended last year’s GFG LAN Party, and the event raised over $1.25 million.
Gamers Outreach announced that Gamers For Giving 2025 will take place on April 11-13 at the George Gervin GameAbove Center of Eastern Michigan University, the same venue as last year’s.
VTuber Summer Slam
The VTuber Summer Slam is a virtual fundraising marathon that takes place over the course of five days in June. While fundraising participants do not have to be VTubers, they do make up the vast majority of supporters for the event.
In addition to charity streaming, Gamers Outreach also holds an Art Contest, thanks to event sponsors, and creates merchandise both for participants and supporters to wear as an alternative way to contribute to the fundraiser.
VTuber Summer Slam 2024 raised $740,843[10], which was enough to fulfill 200 GO Karts for hospitals requesting them.
Spooktacular Streamathon
Spooktacular Streamathon is Gamers Outreach’s Halloween-themed virtual fundraising marathon that takes place during the entire month of October. Like VTuber Summer Slam, Spooktacular also features an Art Contest for participants as well as merchandise to purchase. Spooktacular also features a costume contest that participants can enter using both real in-person costumes or digital art they have created.
Spooktacular Streamathon 2024 raised $402,182, which helped fulfill 68 GO Karts and 4 Save Point Machines.[11]
Jolly Jamboree
Jolly Jamboree is Gamers Outreach’s winter-themed virtual fundraising event that takes place over four days in December.
2024’s Jolly Jamboree marked the first time Gamers Outreach hosted an end-of-year fundraising event. The event raised $139,000, according to their X profile.
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