The Spiel Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to making the world a more playful place.

We believe play is a powerful and positive force. The more we play together, the better life can be for all involved.

We want to build a bigger game table where all are welcome.

We believe fun is a universal language that unites us all.

We accomplish this goal in a variety of ways.

We deliver bundles of games to organizations that serve players of all ages (children’s hospitals, senior centers,  shelters, halfway houses, boys and girls clubs, schools, libraries, even prisons).

Our digital media network (The Spiel) covers the game industry and supports the global community of players who love them. We release reviews and discussion panels and a wonderful assortment of contributor segments. Always for free. 

We oversee two established award programs for board and card games: The Major Fun Award and The Spiel of Approval. These awards are internationally recognized as independent, objective seals of quality and integrity. 

Soon we will have a permanent home in Indianapolis: The Dekoven Center for Play! The building will house a game library, space for seminars, small conventions, and exhibits, a studio and a warehouse for storing, prepping and shipping thousands of games in our bundle program.

Stephen Conway and Doug Richardson are the driving force behind The Spiel Foundation. Read more about them here!

Stephen Conway serves as Director/President of the Foundation.

Doug Richardson serves as Vice President.

History

The Foundation was founded in 2007 by Stephen Conway and David Coleson.

The Foundation was inspired by the success of  our podcast, The Spiel, a show games and the people who love them. 

The idea for the Foundation came as a result of a gathering of listeners called the Spiel-a-thon. What started as an event simply for fun and games became the first fund raiser for the organization.

We wanted to find ways for others to benefit from our extensive knowledge of board and card games. Thus our game bundle program was born! We realized that, even if only for a few hours, a game can bring moments of enjoyment and challenge to so many players young and old.

In keeping with tradition, we now host many Spiel-a-thons every year to raise funds for  another round of donations.

– Stephen Conway, Director of The Spiel Foundation