Twitch, a live streaming platform focused on video games, has been used by its community to raise money for charity through multiple methods including donation during live streams, charity events and dedicated charity streams. Twitch has over 140 million users worldwide and is owned by Amazon. Successful fundraising campaigns on Twitch include the St. Jude Play Live campaign, which raised over $2.7 million for charity. Twitch fundraising has also helped various causes such as COVID-19 relief and mental health awareness. As Twitch continues to grow, it has the potential to make an even greater impact on charities around the world.

Gaming for Good: How the Twitch Community is Raising Money for Charity

Gaming has often been associated with negative stereotypes, such as promoting violence or being a waste of time. However, the Twitch community has shown that gaming can also have a positive impact on society. By using their platform to raise money for charity, Twitch streamers and their audiences are making a real difference in the world.

What is Twitch?

Twitch is a live streaming platform that primarily focuses on video games, although it has expanded to include other content such as music and talk shows. Users can watch livestreams from their favorite streamers, chat with other viewers, and even donate money to streamers or charity organizations. Twitch is owned by Amazon and has over 140 million users worldwide.

How Does Twitch Fundraising Work?

There are several ways that Twitch streamers can raise money for charity:

• Donations during streams: Viewers can donate to the streamer’s chosen charity while they are live streaming. The streamer will usually have a donation link in their stream description or overlay, and will often promote the charity throughout their stream.
• Charity events: Streamers can organize special events, such as marathons or tournaments, to raise money for charity. These events can last for several days and involve multiple streamers, encouraging viewers to donate throughout the event.
• Charity streams: Some streamers will dedicate an entire stream to raising money for charity. They may set a specific donation goal or offer rewards for reaching certain milestones.

Donations made through Twitch go directly to the charity organization, and Twitch waives all processing fees, ensuring that 100% of the donation goes to the intended cause.

Examples of Successful Twitch Fundraisers

There have been numerous successful fundraising campaigns on Twitch since the platform’s launch in 2011. Here are just a few examples:

• St. Jude Play Live: St. Jude is a children’s hospital that specializes in treating childhood diseases such as cancer. Twitch partners with St. Jude every year to host the St. Jude Play Live campaign, where streamers are encouraged to raise money for the hospital through their streams. In 2020, over $2.7 million was raised for St. Jude through Twitch.
• A Week in Watts: This charity event was organized by streamers to raise money for the Watts Empowerment Center, which provides educational and social services for at-risk youth in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. The event raised over $116,000 for the organization.
• Streamers vs. Cancer: This was a 48-hour charity event organized by a group of Twitch streamers to raise money for cancer research. The event featured giveaways, challenges, and other incentives for viewers to donate. In total, over $112,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society.

The Impact of Twitch Fundraising

Charity fundraising on Twitch has had a significant impact on numerous organizations and causes. In addition to the examples listed above, here are some other ways that Twitch has made a difference:

• COVID-19 relief: In 2020, Twitch streamers raised over $3 million for COVID-19 relief efforts, including PPE donations and relief funds for those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
• Mental health awareness: Streamers have used their platform to raise awareness for mental health causes, such as suicide prevention and depression awareness. They have also raised money for organizations that provide mental health services and support.
• Animal welfare: Animal welfare organizations have also benefited from Twitch fundraising, with streamers raising money for shelters, animal rescue groups, and wildlife conservation efforts.

The Future of Twitch Fundraising

Twitch fundraising shows no sign of slowing down, with new campaigns and events happening all the time. As Twitch continues to grow, it has the potential to make an even greater impact on charities and causes around the world. With the help of the Twitch community, gaming can truly be a force for good.