Gamers Outreach Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
PROVIDES RECREATION TO HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN THORUGH CUSTOMIZED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, VIDEO GAMES, AND THE GAMING COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $4.5 million
- Spending
- $4.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 114
- Highest pay
- $201,313, managing director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 80% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $3.4 million spent. GAMERS OUTREACH FOUNDATION PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC RECREATION TO CHILDREN IN HOSPITALS THROUGH MULTIPLE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. ONE SUCH PROGRAM IS "PROJECT GO KART." THE INITIATIVE SERVES THOUSANDS. GO KARTS ARE VIDEO GAME KIOSKS THAT ENABLE HEALTHCARE STAFF TO EASILY PROVIDE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WITH A SOURCE OF RELIEF DURING HOSPITALIZATION.ANOTHER SUCH PROGRAM IS PLAYER 2. PLAYER 2 IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO CONNECT VOLUNTEER GAMERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO HOSPITALS HOSTING GO KARTS AND OTHER VIDEO GAME HARDWARE. THE VOLUNTEER-BASED INITIATIVE PROVIDES HOSPITALS WITH A FREE SERVICE FOR BASIC TECH SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE, DISTRIBUTION OF GAMES TO PATIENTS, AND PLAY SESSIONS WITH PATIENTS. VOLUNTEERS ARE RECRUITED BY GAMERS OUTREACH AND SUBSEQUENTLY TRAINED AND GUIDED BY HOSPITAL WITHIN WHICH SUPPORT IS PROVIDED.ANOTHER SUCH PROGRAM IS SAVE POINT. SAVE POINT IS A PROGRAM THAT PLACES HIGH-TECH VENDING MACHINES INSIDE HOSPITALS. EACH MACHINE DISTRIBUTES GAME CODES, TOYS, AND TECHNOLOGY ITEMS TO KIDS. THE MACHINES ARE INTENDED TO HELP ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE CHILDREN AS THEY PROGRESS THROUGH TREATMENT, ACTING AS AN INCENTIVE TO SUPPORT CARE.IN ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMS MENTIONED, THE FOUNDATION ORGANIZES A LARGE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, GAMERS FOR GIVING, THAT SERVES AS A RECRUITMENT AND EDUCATIONAL VEHICLE FOR ITS EFFORTS. THE EVENT ALSO RAISES SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY, SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF REACH OF EACH PROGRAM AND HELP ENSURE CONTINUED FINANCIAL STABILITY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2008.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.