What is a Spiel-a-thon?
It’s a fundraising event for The Spiel Foundation.
Our mission at The Spiel Foundation is to make the world a more playful place. Each Spiel-a-thon is a perfect expression of this goal.
The driving force behind every Spiel-a-thon is to demonstrate how play can be a powerful force for good in the world.
Don’t get me wrong, we welcome your contributions any day, any time. But if you come to a Spiel-a-thon, you come to pay by playing!
You play. Then you pay. The money raised goes to support the Foundation’s mission.
Playing (and paying) at a Spiel-a-thon is a way of showing fun is a universal language that unites us all.
The money we raise at Spiel-a-thons supports our game bundle program and much more!
Our game bundle program delivers quality games to hospitals, senior centers, boys and girls clubs, shelters, schools, libraries, even prisons
Each bundle allows more people to play. Each game bundle we send out delivers more fun into the world.
It’s a perfect circle of fun. And that is priceless.
The Foundation also runs a media network focused on games, oversees two game award programs, and will be opening a Center for Play in Indianapolis!
You can find out more information on our organization, the games we donate and the locations who receive the games by exploring the site.
When/Where
The 2022 Spiel-a-thon is Dec. 11. Sign up now!
The Event
The format for each Spielathon varies to suit the size of the venue and event but they often include:
A Carnival of Games – many stations set up with fast fun games, taught by intrepid Spielers. The more you play, the more you pay but the more chances you have to win!
A Gauntlet of Games – a time trial with several mini game challenges. How fast can you play through them all? Each gauntlet run costs a nominal fee. Top time getters, win prizes.
Game Show – a team based trivia contest with many wacky twists
Pop-Up tournaments with games ranging from silly to strategic.
Host Your Own Spiel-a-thon!
We can’t be at every convention, but we’d love to have a Spiel-a-thon at every one! If you’re interested in running a Spiel-a-thon at a convention (or even in your home!) contact Stephen (stephen@thespielfoundation.com) and we will send you all the info needed to run the event!
Spiel-a-thon History
2021 Online Spiel-a-thon
We raised $2,800
2020 Online Spiel-a-thon & Art Auction
We raised $4,000
We raised $4,750!
2019 Spiel-a-thon at Supernova Gamefest in Halifax NS
We raised $1500 CAD
2019 Spiel-a-thon at Geekway to the West
We raised $1,500
We raised $3,500
2018 Spiel-a-thon at Geekway to the West
We raised $2,000
We raised $2600
2017 Spiel-a-thon at Geekway to the West
We raised $1900
We raised $2000
2016 Spiel-a-thon at Geekway to the West
We raised $750
We raised $2000 
2015 Spiel-a-thon at the Gaming Hoopla
We raised $500
We raised $2000 (see the link above for a recap)
We raised $2100! (see link above for more recap).
We raised nearly $2000 at the event. Special thanks to Stephen Buonocore, Rich Sommer, and Scott Alden for participating as celebrity team leaders in the final round!
2010 Spielathon was hosted at BGG Con in Dallas TX.
2009 Spielathon was hosted at BGG Con in Dallas TX
2007-2008 The first two Spielathons were held at GenCon in the Rio Grande Game Room
We certainly love raising money at the Spiel-a-thon, but the work of the Foundation is year-round. We can always use your financial support. To donate, click here.
