As the world of gaming and live streaming continues to grow in popularity, many individuals and organizations are finding ways to use these platforms for good. One of the most notable ways that live streaming is making a positive impact is through charitable giving. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how live streaming is supporting charities, the different ways that streamers are giving back, and some examples of successful charity streams.
First, let's take a look at the numbers. According to a report by Streamlabs, a live streaming software company, streamers raised over $100 million for charity in 2018 alone. This number has only continued to grow in recent years, with streamers on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming raising millions of dollars for a variety of different causes.
One of the most popular ways that streamers are giving back is through charity livestreams. These streams often take place over a set period of time, such as 24 hours, and during that time, the streamer will play games and interact with their audience while encouraging viewers to donate to a specific charity. Some popular charity streams include "Extra Life" which is a annual charity event that raises money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and "Players vs Cancer" which raises money for the American Association for Cancer Research.
Another way that streamers are giving back is through the use of "donation buttons" or "superchat" feature, which allows viewers to easily make a donation to a specific charity during a stream. Some streamers also choose to donate a portion of their ad revenue or subscription income to charity on a regular basis.
One of the most notable examples of a successful charity stream is the "Desert Bus for Hope" charity stream, which has raised over $4 million for Child's Play Charity since 2007. The stream, which features a group of friends playing the notoriously boring game "Desert Bus" for days on end, has become a staple in the live streaming community and continues to raise thousands of dollars for charity each year.
In addition to individual streamers, many gaming companies and organizations are also getting involved in charitable giving. For example, in 2020, the game "Fortnite" raised $20 million for COVID-19 relief efforts through in-game purchases and 100% of the proceeds went to charity. The Overwatch League also pledged to donate $1 million to the COVID-19 pandemic response, and the Twitch community raised over $500,000 for the American Red Cross to help with the disaster relief efforts.
In conclusion, the world of gaming and live streaming is making a significant impact on charitable giving. From charity livestreams to in-game purchases, streamers and gaming companies alike are finding new and innovative ways to give back to their communities. If you're a streamer looking to make a difference, consider hosting a charity stream or incorporating donation options into your content.
