IGDA Foundation’s ‘Download for Charity’ Steam event to return in May 2027

The International Game Developers’ Association (IGDA) Foundation has officially announced the return of its annual charity-driven Steam fundraising campaign. Titled ‘Download for Charity 2027: Press ‘Start’ Together’, the event is scheduled to launch in late May 2027. Back for a third consecutive year, the upcoming initiative will highlight collaborative play by spotlighting multiplayer and co-op games.

Organizers stated that the targeted focus on multiplayer and co-op titles was chosen to provide a more cohesive identity for developers, players, and the Steam platform. The theme is designed to center on the friendships and communities fostered by multiplayer experiences. During the event, selected titles will be showcased on a dedicated event page on Steam, with participating studios donating a portion of their proceeds directly to the IGDA Foundation.

Funds raised during the campaign are funneled toward Foundation programs aimed at uplifting underrepresented and up-and-coming developers. These programs include scholarships, international exchanges, mentorship pairings, and travel grants. The initiative also pairs participating studios with content creators who help promote the sale through livestreams, videos, and social media posts.

Past iterations of the charity event have shown notable growth and positive commercial reception. The prior Steam event drew 2.85 million impressions and 56,000 sale-page visits across 106 featured games, more than double the turnout of the preceding year. Participating publishers have reported strong commercial results that exceeded forecasts while simultaneously contributing to the Foundation's philanthropic mission. Developers interested in participating have until December 17 to submit their games, while content creators can apply to take part in promotional videos and livestreams.