The public is increasingly aware of the negative impact of social networks. In 2020, the documentary Social Dilemma raised a number of questions about networks like Facebook and Instagram (both owned by parent company, Meta), including the impact of these platforms on mental health and society, at large.
But the news about social networks isn’t all bad. The intersection of philanthropic initiatives with the gaming world helps shed light on the positive impact social networks can have when users and content creators are intentional about having a positive impact.
Streaming platforms like Twitch are proving to be an effective tool for advancing philanthropy and building community around a common goal. In fact, a charity event in 2021 hosted by Twitch streamers Zerator and Dach broke the world record for most money raised. Across three days of streaming, the content creators raised about $11.5 million for Action Against Hunger. This is just a sliver of the impact streaming platforms are having on philanthropy. According to Forbes, $83 million were raised for charities on Twitch in 2020.
Here are 10 Twitch influencers making an impact:
- DrLupo – Ben Lupo, also known as DrLupo, and his Twitch community have been some of the most successful and innovative fundraisers on the platform. In just four hours, Lupo raised $920,000 for St. Jude. In a separate charity stream, Lupo and his Twitch community raised over 2.3 million.
- Bloody – The texas-based streamer held a charity campaign for Trans-Lifeline, raising almost $100,000 for the organization.
- Pestily – An Australian gamer whose charity stream campaign is called Gaming for Sick Kids. Funds raised from the charity stream go towards the Starlight Children’s Foundation. He has raised $1,214,918.72 Australian dollars.
- 3. Nick28T – Nick28T (real name Nick Kahwaji) has leveraged his following to raise CA $230,043.23 for the BC Cancer Foundation.
- Askesienne – Also known as Libby Kamen, has raised more than $50,000 on her quarterly charity streams. “I began my journey as a content creator in 2014,” she says. “I thought I could ‘fill my time’ with my favorite video games and do something good for the world. It’s been so fun to create content, play games with my community and impact organizations I care deeply about.” Kamen also works as the Senior Manager of Online Community Relations at the American Association for Cancer Research where she maintains the Players vs. Cancer program.
- Jacksepticeye – Jacksepticeye aimed to build 1000 homes for people in need through his Thankmas charity stream. The stream raised over $7 million for the Thankmas charity.
- Fuslie – Leslie “fuslie” Fu also held a charity stream in October for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The streamer raised over $55,000 for the charitable cause in less than 5 hours.
- Ranboo – Twitch streamer Ranboo conducted a charity livestream in August this year to raise funds for the charitable organization Charity Water. After streaming for 16 hours, he had raised over $325K for the charitable cause.
- Bird Girl’ Maya Higa – Twitch streamer Maya Higa has always been passionate about environmental conservation. “I grew up on a farm and have always had a deep love for animals,” she says. “In college, I started volunteering and interning at zoos in Central California. I quickly developed an interest in exotics after learning about all the new species I got to interact with and care for. Once I learned that these species and many others were at risk of extinction, I decided that conservation would be my life’s work.” Last year, she raised over $500,000 on Twitch to fund her animal sanctuary with the help of her community and even the famous singer-songwriter T-Pain. This year, she’s promoting a fundraiser for the Alveus Sanctuary, Alveus’ annual Halloween event.
- Ludwig – After hosting a 31-day Subathon, Twitch influencer Ludwig donated 350,000 to six different charitable organizations. Of these organizations, $200,000 went to the No Kid Hungry charity, whose goal is to end childhood hunger in the U.S., and $57,065 went to the Humane Society animal welfare non-profit.
These efforts by Twitch influencers and their communities are making an appreciable impact. We all have the power to change the negative narrative and leverage social media for positive change.
