Gamers Engaged

Gamers Engaged is off to Olympia with the Tabletop Game Alliance of Washington State on March 20th! Founder and Executive Director Lyla Ross is headed to the state capitol for the annual day of advocacy and education, TGA Day on the Hill. On TGA’s annual legislative day, members of the alliance meet with legislators and staff to advocate for the Tabletop Industry. The day culminates in a Legislative Game Night at the Capitol Building where lawmakers and staffers get together with industry reps to play games together. Advocating for game companies in our region matters. The Washington Tabletop Industry generates over 2 Billion Dollars annually and includes many of the best known game companies in the world: Wizards of the Coast, Ravensburger USA, The Pokemon Company International, GTS Distribution, GenCon, Card Kingdom, Paizo, & Flatout Games. Lyla will be leading a seminar session at TGA on the Hill about how the sector can remain authentically and meaningfully engaged with local communities and support high impact nonprofits while feeling the squeeze of tariffs and inflation. We can do good AND get business done. If you’re attending, drop a note in the comments and we’ll try to connect in Olympia. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gnyq3HQa.

Huge congratulations to the 2024 #HorizonsFellows! Your passion, creativity, and leadership are shaping the future of the games industry. The Horizons Fellowship by GAMA - Game Manufacturers Association empowers emerging talent from underrepresented communities, ensuring that the voices and stories in gaming are as diverse as the players themselves. ?? Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eKgkvepc and watch for the next application cycle! At Gamers Engaged, we believe a more inclusive industry isn’t just the right thing—it’s essential for innovation and growth. Let’s continue to break barriers and build a gaming world where everyone belongs. ???? #GAMA #GamingForGood #DiversityInGaming #GamersEngaged

How many digits in π have you memorized? 3.14159….. On Saturday, March 29, 2025, ask the math geniuses at Zeno’s MathFest in Everette, WA!? MathFest is a free math celebration for kids aged 3-8 and their families. The event engages kids and adults in math games, prizes, and activities to foster enthusiasm and confidence in math. Gamers Engaged couldn’t be more excited to play-it-forward to support Zeno in their mission to spark joy and inspire a love of math in young children and families through racial equity, family engagement, and play, all centered in the experiences of communities of color. Finally, a huge THANK YOU to our Gamers Engaged Gauntlet donors for making the Play-it-Forward grant to Zeno possible. Your donations to the 2024 Gauntlet let us fund four incredible organizations last year. Can’t wait to see what impact we’ll have this year! #PlayItForward #GamersEngaged #DiversityInGaming #GamingForGood

The Game Devs of Color Expo is gearing up for the 2025 Expo on September 16-29! Gamers Engaged couldn’t be more excited to play-it-forward to support their mission to uplift and amplify diverse voices in gaming . ??? What’s coming to GDoCExpo 2025? ? A new lineup of incredible indie games from diverse creators ? Workshops & panels with top industry leaders ? Funding & publishing opportunities for emerging developers ? A community-driven, inclusive space where everyone belongs If you’re new to the organization, GDoCExpo is creating opportunities for game developers of color by providing funding, mentorship, networking, and a global stage to showcase their work. ?? Why it Matters: The gaming industry thrives on creativity and innovation—but not all creators have equal access to opportunities. GDoCExpo is changing that by ensuring developers of color get the resources, connections, and support they need to succeed. Learn more about GDoCExpo at www.gamedevsofcolor.org. Finally, a huge THANK YOU to our Gamers Engaged Gauntlet donors for making the Play-it-Forward grant to GDoCExpo possible. Your donations to the 2024 Gauntlet let us fund four incredible organizations last year. Can’t wait to see what impact we’ll have this year! #PlayItForward #GamersEngaged #GDoCExpo #IndieGames #DiversityInGaming #GamingForGood

A message for our Transgender community: You are an important thread in the fabric of our gaming world—the dreamers, the builders, the storytellers who remind us that games are more than pixels and code. You create portals to possibility, spaces where identity can be explored freely, and where courage, resilience, and imagination create whole new worlds. Your presence in gaming is vital because you bring perspectives that challenge the status quo, that push for more inclusive narratives, and that demand games be a place where everyone can see themselves as heroes. Whether you're designing characters, streaming, coding, modding, or just playing, your influence is undeniable. You make gaming better, richer, and more human. You remind us that games—like identity—are about transformation, about shaping something powerful and beautiful from the raw materials of experience. And that’s why you belong here. Always. -Gamers Engaged For those who want to support our Trans community, please pick up the phone and call Congress. #GamersEngaged #PlayWithPurpose #GamingForGood #GamingCommunity #DiversityEquityInclusion #Belonging #TransRights #TransGamers

Play a game with us! Can you guess the theme of the 2025 Gauntlet? ?? Drop your best guess in the comments. ?? #GamersEngaged #PlayWithPurpose #GamingForGood #GamingCommunity #TheGauntlet #TheGauntlet2025

??? Level Up Your Impact with Gamers Engaged! ??? Want to stay in the loop on how the gaming community is making a difference? Whether you work in video games, board games, tabletop RPGs, etc.—if you love games and want to give back, this newsletter is for you! Subscribe to Play with Purpose, the Gamers Engaged newsletter, and get: ??? Stories of gamers making an impact ?? Volunteer and fundraising opportunities in gaming ?? Insights on how the industry supports social good ?? Exclusive ways to get involved Join a growing community of gamers who believe in playing with purpose. ?? ?? Sign up now: https://lnkd.in/gkA9KSRS #GamersEngaged #PlayWithPurpose #GamingForGood #GamingCommunity #Volunteering #GivingBack

You may have read the headlines about the ever-evolving Federal Funding Freeze: “Trump Freezes Trillions. Chaos ensues.” - New York Times, 1/29/2025 “Funds for fight against HIV/AIDS paused in Trump aid Freeze” - Washington Post 1/24/2025 “Many Groups Promised Federal Aid Still Have No Funds and No Answers” - New York Times, 2/12/2025 While things have defrosted and judges have blocked the executive order, it’s still unclear how this all plays out for the nonprofit sector. What’s certain is that funding from federal grants and loans will be a less and less likely bet for nonprofits under this administration. More than ever nonprofits are going to be looking towards non-government sources, like individuals, corporations and private foundations for support. And in moments like this, the sector needs YOU to be proactive. Founder/CEO Lyla Ross LICSW shares a few tips on how to show up for your favorite organizations in this turbulent moment.

The Gauntlet 2025, our annual charity gaming tournament, offers unique marketing opportunities to connect with engaged players during 12 hours of epic gameplay. Sponsorship benefits include: ??Brand visibility to our active gaming community ??Social media and live stream promotion ??Connection to charitable impact Want to learn more? Let us know your goals and we'll customize a sponsorship package that aligns with your mission. Other ways to sponsor: ?Player perks and swag ?eBay auction items Last year's event raised nearly $115,000 - help us make 2025 even bigger! Fill out the form if interested: https://lnkd.in/eNNFfFvT #Gauntlet2025 #GamingForACause #SponsorTheGauntlet #GamingCommunity #GamingForGood

Volunteer Opportunities at The Gauntlet 2025! Want to be part of something special? We're looking for passionate volunteers to help make The Gauntlet 2025 an unforgettable event! Join us on Sunday, May 18th at Mox Boarding House Bellevue. Two ways to get involved: ??♀?General Volunteer??♀? ?Help set up gaming stations ?Organize event spaces ?Support Event Coordinators ??Tournament Judge?? ?Provide rules guidance ?Help keep games running smoothly ?Perfect for strategy-savvy gamers Every volunteer plays a crucial role in making The Gauntlet a success. Ready to join our crew? Only a few spots available, so fill out our interest form: https://lnkd.in/eNNFfFvT #Gauntlet2025 #VolunteerWithUs