The fundraising market has become very competitive throughout these years -- and even more so recently due to COVID-19’s impact on face-to-face gatherings. The more unique your event, the more you can stand out and engage with your supporters.
What’s a better way to rally donors in a unique way than an e-sports tournament with former NHL players?
The Douglas Foundation - whose mission is to build resources to improve the mental health of all - has capitalized on hockey to organize a truly one-of-a-kind e-sport tournament called “
The Building Hope Tournament” on raisin's Peer-to-Peer module. This initiative's objective is not only to support mental health but also to help fund research, clinical care, and education at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute.
How does it work?
In October 2020, gamers from the general public competed online against each other through NHL 21 in qualifying rounds. The best players were then selected to participate in the final tournament on the 7th of November 2020.
In addition to the cash prizes being offered, players selected will also be given a chance to meet with former NHL players, such as
Maxime Talbot and local celebrities like
Étienne Boulay, and
play against them in the final tournament. Who has never dreamed of playing one-on-one with their sports idol?
Why an e-sports event?
While gaming for charitable causes is now popular in the United States, e-sports and gaming have yet to be adopted by not-for-profit organisations in Canada. In the wake of COVID-19 and the psychological stress caused that might last years for some, Douglas Foundation aimed to engage with an audience who is not necessarily aware of mental health issues.
Hockey being a popular sport in Canada, NHL 21 was used to connect gamers and members of the general public. This virtual event also means that social distancing etiquette was respected.
The gaming tournament will be streamed on social media on social on the 7th of November 2020 with content to raise awareness around mental health all while being a fun tournament. Viewers will also get the opportunity to learn more about the research and clinical care for mental health available at Douglas Hospital through discussions with several specialists during the broadcast.
Interested in this one-of-a-kind gaming tournament all while learning more about mental health? Feel free to check out the action on the social media channels of the famous, featured guests on the 7
th of November: