Games Aid
Could Games Aid fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £30,000 – £30,000
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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gamesaid.orgAbout Games Aid
Games Aid is a UK charity that raises funds from the video games industry to support other charities working with disadvantaged children and young people. It operates with a unique democratic model: industry members nominate and vote on which charities receive funding, ensuring decisions reflect the collective will of the sector. The charity values inclusivity, transparency, and industry consensus, aiming to channel the sector's resources into causes that might otherwise be overlooked. It focuses on small to medium-sized registered charities that demonstrate efficient administration and a clear impact on young lives.
What Games Aid funds
Games Aid funds charities that support disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. Causes include child and youth welfare, disability, mental health, physical health, education and skills, poverty and hardship, homelessness, and sport and recreation. Grants may cover core costs, project delivery, and equipment. The charity prioritises work in medical care, social mobility, pastoral care, disability support, community services, and mental health support. All funded activity must take place within the UK.
Who can apply
Eligible organisations are UK-registered charities that are small to medium-sized in financial scale, with administrative costs kept to a minimum (spending less than 30% of running costs on administration). The charity supports those working with disadvantaged children and young people, including disabled young people. Charities must be nominated by a Games Aid member as part of the democratic selection process.
What Games Aid doesn't fund
Games Aid does not fund large or well-funded charities, organisations with a high income, non-registered charities, primarily overseas causes, or charities not focused on children and young people. Charities that do not keep administrative overheads low are also excluded.
How they like to fund
Games Aid distributes funds annually through a democratic process where industry members vote on which charities to support. Grants are awarded equally among the selected charities and can be used for core costs, project delivery, or equipment. The charity does not accept unsolicited applications; charities must secure nomination from a sector member.
How much does Games Aid give?
Games Aid runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 13 sourced facts
- 1 rounds a year
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Games Aid funds — and what they won't
GamesAid focuses on charities that support disadvantaged children or young people in the UK, are small-to-medium sized organisations (turnover under £3 million), provide diverse support including medical care, social mobility, pastoral care, disability support, community services, and mental health, are registered UK charities spending less than 30% of running costs on administration.
The full exclusions list (6)
- Spends less than 30% of its running costs on administration
- Large, well-funded charities
- Organisations with turnover over £3 million
- Non-registered charities
- Primarily overseas causes (limited international application)
- Organisations not focused on children and young people
Good to know
How to apply to Games Aid
Games Aid takes applications via online form.
- Decisions are typically once per year.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Games Aid could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Games Aid provide?
Games Aid runs one grant programme — Annual Charity Support Programme: Typically £30,000.
Where does Games Aid fund charities?
Games Aid funds charities operating in UK.
Does Games Aid accept unsolicited applications?
Games Aid accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Games Aid not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Spends less than 30% of its running costs on administration; Large, well-funded charities; Organisations with turnover over £3 million; Non-registered charities; Primarily overseas causes (limited international application). The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Games Aid?
Games Aid takes applications via online form. Decisions are typically once per year.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
Browse related grants
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Could Games Aid be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.