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After a busy and successful 2014, the ESA Foundation is excited to kick off its 15th year of working with organizations that improve children’s lives through digital technology and video games.

We began our anniversary celebration by marking two exciting grantee milestones last month. Extra Life, a 24-hour video game marathon and fundraiser, recently announced that more than 50,000 gamers helped raise over $6 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in 2014 – a new record for the organization. Additionally, last month we partnered with iCivics to celebrate the launch of DBQuest, their newest educational tool. You can read more about our special launch event below. Congratulations to both grantees!

We will continue to reflect on and share our grantees’ successes with you as part of our ongoing anniversary celebration. This month, we feature HopeLab, which harnesses technology to motivate measureable positive health behaviors in young people.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for news updates on ESA Foundation programming and grantees’ activities.

With appreciation,

Jenny Lai
Vice President, ESA Foundation

ESA Foundation Grants and Scholarship Programs

ESA Foundation is preparing to open the application periods for its grant and scholarship programs:

• The ESA Foundation scholarship assists women and minority students who are pursuing computer and video game degrees at accredited, four-year colleges and universities in the U.S.
• The ESA Foundation grant program supports organizations that leverage interactive software to make a positive impact in our communities.

ESA Foundation will begin accepting applications for these programs in March.

Visit our website for more information.

ESA Foundation Celebrates iCivics Launch with Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

On January 27th the ESA Foundation joined former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and iCivics to officially launch DBQuest: Eyes on the Prize, iCivics’ newest educational tool. DBQuest challenges students to tackle important civic questions using primary source documents, building their reading, critical thinking and writing skills.

“Our rapidly changing world has made the age-old skills of reading for comprehension and understanding our country’s historical documents more important than ever,” said O’Connor. “DBQuest provides students with opportunities to build these crucial skills.”

The partners hosted an intimate dinner in Washington, D.C. with 21 distinguished guests to celebrate DBQuest’s launch. O’Connor, who founded and currently chairs iCivics, and ESA President and CEO Michael D. Gallagher emphasized the importance of reading and the educational value of digital technologies in remarks.

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor greets distinguished guests Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-3) and Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI-14).

“Video games are enjoyed by millions of Americans – adults and children alike – and have a knack for helping kids understand complex topics in fun and accessible ways,” said Gallagher. “Their engaging and interactive nature brings academic subjects to life, and built-in game mechanics provide teachers with valuable tools for assessing student progress.”

DBQuest is available to teachers, students and the public free of charge on iCivics’ website.

Grantee Update - HopeLab

HopeLab, a multi-year ESA Foundation grantee, has no doubt improved children’s lives with its innovative and educational resources.

The ESA Foundation provided HopeLab with grants from 2008-2014 and supported its development of the Re-Mission and Re-Mission 2 video games, which promote successful, long-term treatment outcomes for adolescents and young adults with cancer. The games are designed to motivate players to stick to their treatments by boosting positive emotions and shifting attitudes about chemotherapy treatment.

“The ESA Foundation is an exceptionally powerful example of how video games can provide scientifically tested benefits – indeed, proof that playing video games can be good for you,” said Chris Hest, director of partnerships and impact at HopeLab.

With the help of ESA Foundation, HopeLab was able to expand access to the online games to more patients across the country and to provide substantial aid for clinicians and staff support who worked with cancer patients.

Cancer patients play Re-Mission during their treatments.

Combining quality research, innovative approaches to problem solving and customer input, HopeLab continues to work to improve the health and quality of life of children and young adults. Now with more than seven innovative solutions, HopeLab provides ample ways to play with a purpose.

HopeLab was founded in 2001 by scientist and game enthusiast Pam Omidyar. Its research and development focuses on the power and appeal of new social technologies to improve human health and well-being. 

Since its inception, the ESA Foundation has supported more than 50 organizations and programs across the nation that utilize video game technology to make a positive impact in today’s society.

ESA Foundation Celebrates Anniversary

This past December, the ESA Foundation’s parent organization, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), celebrated 20 years of advocacy on behalf of the U.S. video game industry. Among the association’s key accomplishments are a host of partnerships with business leaders, academics, nonprofit organizations and government agencies to further their use of games and game technologies to improve how we live, learn and work.

With the establishment of the ESA Foundation in 2000, the ESA formalized and expanded the video game industry’s philanthropic efforts. Since 2007, the ESA Foundation has provided more than 200 scholarships, worth more than $600,000, to the next generation of industry innovators and raised more than $13 million to fund individuals and organizations that use video games and technology to positively impact the lives of America’s youth.

As part of its celebration, ESA hosted a Capitol Hill briefing which focused on the success and impact of video game technology in today’s society and held a reception for policymakers, media and industry partners in December. The ESA Foundation will mark its anniversary throughout the year by featuring and celebrating its current and former grantees and scholarship recipients.