When supporting a non-profit, how do you vet them?
Jeffrey Rousseau
Staff Writer
Wednesday 6th July 2022
Riot Games
Last month, Riot Games released its 2021 Social Impact report, which states that its Social Impact Fund has supported 30 non-profit organizations nominated by players from 18 different countries.
The philanthropic fund was originally announced in 2019, building off the work of the Dawnbringer Karma fundraiser, which raised $6 million for charities and organizations.
During 2020, $8 million was invested in over 50 non-profits across 15 countries. Last year Riot also reported investing $10,000 to 30 chosen non-profits as well. So how does a program select and vet a non-profit to support, with the aim of improving systemic issues?
GamesIndustry.biz spoke with Riot Games' senior director of Social Impact Fund Jeffrey Burrell about some of the processes involved.
"A lot of people think, 'Well, how hard is some of the work?'," he says. "Some people just think it's like, 'Eh, don't you just write a check to a non-profit?'"
But Burrell explains that the work is rather complex as there's no shortage of non-profits. He says that some could use "a little bit of water" that the fund can offer them.
Riot Games' Jeffrey Burrell
"We live in a world of unlimited needs, but limited resources," he adds.
He continues, "What we really try to do is to find ways to engage our players, and just try to be able to connect some of the through lines to really create measurable, tangible, and lasting impact."
These efforts, he notes, can range from supporting international humanitarian efforts, disaster relief, and carbon neutrality.
Some of these supported non-profits this year were: América Solidaria Argentina which seeks to end poverty in the country; Cordem ABP, an organization dedicated to
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