IGDA Foundation Announces “Download for Charity” Steam Event for May 2027
“Press ‘Start’ Together” Event Focusing on Multiplayer Games
Gaming is one of the few forms of entertainment that asks us to actively work together. We communicate, solve problems, compete, and share experiences that often create connections lasting far beyond the game itself. Heading into its third year, Download for Charity (DLC) will promote Press ‘Start’ Together, a Steam event celebrating multiplayer and co-op games and the friendships and communities we build through playing together.
Selected games will be featured throughout the DLC fundraising campaign and will donate a percentage of their Steam sales to the IGDA Foundation. These contributions help create opportunities for emerging and underrepresented developers and support the next generation of people building careers in games.
Balor Games’ Sales and Promotions Manager, Danh Huynh shared: "Working with the IGDA Foundation on this year's DLC Sale Event was a genuine pleasure! We participated with three titles, and all three performed above forecast, with some even beating past performances in similar themed sale events. A clear win for us commercially, with the added reward of directing a portion of proceeds to the IGDA Foundation in support of their mission."
“After the support we received for our first two Download for Charity events, we’re excited to build this into an annual opportunity for developers and players to give back,” said Alyssa Walles, Executive Director of the IGDA Foundation. “Press ‘Start’ Together celebrates the relationships games create while helping participating developers reach new audiences and supporting our work to build a more diverse and inclusive global games industry.”
Developers’ contributions to the IGDA Foundation through the DLC event help fund programs empowering game developers around the world. The Foundation’s initiatives include sending creators from underrepresented communities to international industry events, creating programming that amplifies the global voice of gaming, and much more.
Content creators can help bring Download for Charity to life by showcasing participating games and inviting their communities to support the event. The IGDA Foundation is seeking creators interested in raising funds and awareness through livestreams, videos, short-form content, or collaborations with other creators.
Download for Charity 2027 will take place on Steam and the IGDA Foundation’s Twitch and social media pages in late May 2027 with exact dates to be shared in Q1 2027.
Event Details
Dates: late May 2027 (exact dates will be confirmed following Steam approval)
Eligibility: Multiplayer games available for purchase on Steam
Suggested donation: 5% minimum (20% encouraged)
Sign-up deadline: December 17, 2026
Games: Sign up here https://forms.gle/96gFaWjs4yzBnCuQ8
Content creators: Sign up here https://forms.gle/myfLDm71iAMk3M8r5
Official website https://www.igdafoundation.org/dlc
