Call of Duty Endowment

What Call of Duty Endowment does

The Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by Activision Blizzard to help U.S. and U.K. military veterans transition into civilian employment. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the Endowment operates with a small staff of 1–10 employees and has placed more than 169,000 veterans in jobs since inception, with average starting salaries exceeding $50,000. Executive Director Dan Goldenberg runs the organization, with Bobby Kotick serving as co-founder and co-chairman.

The Endowment's business model is structurally embedded inside the Call of Duty gaming franchise. It generates funding through corporate donations (primarily from Activision Blizzard and, since 2023, Microsoft), in-game downloadable content packs such as Tracer Packs and Warrior Packs, and the annual C.O.D.E. Bowl esports tournament. This franchise-activation model creates a profit-for-purpose loop where commercial game activity is directly tied to veteran employment outcomes.

Core service delivery is veteran job placement, executed through employer partnerships with companies including USAA, Ripple, and Best Buy, and through collaborations with veteran-serving nonprofits. The organization operates in the United States and the United Kingdom. Major funding commitments include a $2 million contribution from Activision Blizzard in 2020 and a $30 million pledge announced in 2022, with the Endowment's resources materially expanded following Microsoft's 2023 acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Name

Call of Duty Endowment

Legal name

Call of Duty Endowment

Website

https://callofdutyendowment.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Call of Duty Endowment is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 by Activision Blizzard that helps U.S. and U.K. military veterans transition into civilian employment, having placed over 169,000 veterans in jobs with average starting salaries above $50,000.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Employment Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs (EDAAAOAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB), Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Veteran employment services
• Nonprofit veteran grants
• In-game charity fundraising
• Military career transition
• Esports charity tournament

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. In-Game DLC Pack Sales: The Endowment generates revenue through the sale of in-game cosmetic packs (Tracer Packs, Warrior Packs, Valkyrie Packs) within Call of Duty games. A portion or all proceeds from these purchases go directly to veteran employment programs. The packs are available across multiple Call of Duty titles and platforms.
2. Direct Donations: Individual donors can make direct contributions through the organization's website via PayPal, Tiltify fundraising platform, and cryptocurrency donation matching programs (such as the Ripple XRP partnership).
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners (such as USAA, Ripple, Best Buy, RealTruck) provide financial support, matching donations, and in-kind contributions for campaigns and events.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Call of Duty Endowment branded merchandise through Amazon store, with proceeds benefiting veteran employment programs.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Call of Duty Endowment funds veteran-to-civilian career transitions through its Seal of Distinction grant program, which awards money to the best-performing U.S. and U.K. charities that prepare veterans for high-quality jobs. It raises that money by selling C.O.D.E. Tracer Packs (in-game cosmetic DLC bundles for Call of Duty titles) and staging the annual C.O.D.E. Bowl military esports tournament, supplemented by corporate sponsorships and direct donations from gamers and the public.

Product overview

The Call of Duty Endowment is a nonprofit veteran employment organization founded in 2009 by Activision Blizzard that operates through a portfolio of in-game charity activations and fundraising products tied to the Call of Duty franchise. The core offering consists of C.O.D.E. Tracer Packs—in-game cosmetic bundles (Warrior Pack, Valkyrie Pack, Navigator Pack, Legacy Pack, Endeavour Pack, United Force Pack) sold across PlayStation Store, Battle.net, Xbox Store, and Steam—where 100% of proceeds fund veteran employment. The Endowment also runs C.O.D.E. Bowl, an annual military esports tournament, and campaigns like #HireHonor, #CODEMedicalHeroes, #CODVeteruns100K, and #CODEUAVChallenge. The Seal of Distinction program provides grants to high-performing veteran employment charities in the U.S. and U.K. Donations are accepted via Tiltify (for livestream fundraising) and PayPal (for direct contributions).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 169,000 veterans placed in quality civilian jobs since 2009
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• RipplecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2026Ripple partnered with the Call of Duty Endowment as part of America's 250th Independence Day #Giving4th campaign. Ripple committed to matching donations to the Endowment of up to $10,000 in XRP cryptocurrency, extending the Endowment's reach into blockchain and cryptocurrency communities. Donations could be made using cash, stock, or cryptocurrencies including XRP and RLUSD.
• USAAflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerUSAA is the presenting sponsor for the C.O.D.E. Bowl esports tournament and Military Appreciation Month activations. The partnership includes branded in-game content (C.O.D.E. United Force: Tracer Pack, C.O.D.E. Got Your Six Event) and supports veteran employment programs through fundraising activations within Call of Duty games.
• Anduril IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey partnered with RealTruck to create a custom military-style Chevy Silverado auctioned at Barrett-Jackson Columbus Auction, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the Call of Duty Endowment. The vehicle featured off-road modifications and was displayed at Naval Base Coronado before auction.
• RealTruckcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerica's leading truck accessory brand partnered with Anduril Industries and the Endowment for a custom military utilitarian Chevy Silverado build for charity. Built by Matt Hunt Muscle Cars, the vehicle was auctioned at Barrett-Jackson with proceeds supporting veteran employment programs.
• Best BuycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBest Buy served as presenting sponsor for the Race to Prestige gaming marathon events supporting the Endowment. The partnership included social media support, donation rewards for viewers, and program support. Best Buy alignment with Call of Duty: Black Ops III launch drove awareness and traffic, with the Race to Prestige raising $451,554 for the Endowment.
• TiltifycoreTechnology or IntegrationTiltify is the primary fundraising platform partner enabling donation campaigns, stream fundraisers, and cryptocurrency contributions for the Endowment. The platform powers the online donation experience and campaign tracking for CODE initiatives.
• Activision BlizzardflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerActivision Blizzard is the parent company and founding partner of the Call of Duty Endowment, established in 2009. The company provides game integration platform, major donations ($2 million commitment, $30 million pledge), and marketing support through its world-class marketing and creative departments. All proceeds from in-game activations go directly to the Endowment.
• ZipRecruitercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZipRecruiter partnered with the Endowment to create a national report examining the current state of US veteran employment activity. The partnership combined ZipRecruiter's employment marketplace data with the Endowment's veteran employment mission to produce groundbreaking research.
• GameStopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGameStop partnered with the Endowment for the 'Give Back to the Brave' campaign to help veterans find jobs. The retail partnership enabled in-store and online fundraising for the nonprofit.
• OmazeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOmaze partnered with the Endowment for fundraising contests where participants could win opportunities like being a zombie in Call of Duty DLC by donating $10 or more. The partnership generated thousands of donations and millions of views.
• ThruDarkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThruDark partnered with the Endowment for the C.O.D.E. Endeavour: Tracer Pack, featuring the Endowment's first ever U.K. operator skin and launching an apparel line to support veteran employment.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• American Legion: Large, established veterans-service organization with employment programs among a broader portfolio of benefits, advocacy, and member services. Comparable in veteran-services mission and nonprofit scale, but much broader and more established than the Endowment.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): Long-established congressionally chartered veteran organization offering transition support, employment resources, and benefits assistance. Comparable as a veteran-focused nonprofit with employment programming, though it operates as a much larger, membership-driven incumbent.

Direct peers

• DAV (Disabled American Veterans): Long-established veteran advocacy and benefits organization with a strong veteran-employment mission. Comparable in mission focus (helping veterans transition to civilian life) and in operating as a membership-style nonprofit, though structurally larger and more advocacy-oriented.
• The Mission Continues: Nonprofit that empowers veterans to continue service through leadership and community impact programs, with an employment transition component. Comparable in veteran-transition mission and nonprofit structure, though it emphasizes civic engagement over direct job placement.
• Wounded Warrior Project: One of the largest US veteran-service nonprofits, providing direct programs in mental health, physical wellness, and career counseling. Highly comparable as a fundraising-intensive veteran nonprofit focused on post-service transition outcomes, though it delivers programs directly rather than via grantees.
• Hire Heroes USA: Veteran-focused nonprofit dedicated exclusively to veteran employment placement, providing one-on-one career coaching and employer connections. Directly comparable to the Endowment's core mission and outcome metric (veterans placed in jobs).
• Student Veterans of America: Veteran nonprofit supporting student veterans through higher education and into civilian careers. Comparable in serving the veteran-to-civilian transition journey, though its primary channel is education rather than direct employment placement.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): Leading post-9/11 veteran advocacy and services organization with policy, programming, and transition support. Comparable as a modern veteran-services nonprofit with strong fundraising and advocacy infrastructure serving transitioning service members.
• Hiring Our Heroes: US Chamber of Commerce Foundation initiative focused on veteran and military spouse employment through employer partnerships and fellowships. Comparable as a grantmaking-and-partnership model aimed at veteran employment outcomes, with strong corporate sponsorship infrastructure.

Others

• Fisher House Foundation: Military-family-focused nonprofit funded significantly by gaming and entertainment industry partnerships (e.g., Activision has historically supported both). Comparable as a military-affiliated nonprofit leveraging corporate/gaming partnerships for fundraising scale, though its mission centers on housing military families near hospitals rather than employment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CODE4Vets
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CoDEndowmentTube
• Facebookfacebook.com/199346440490
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/call-of-duty-endowment
• Instagraminstagram.com/callofdutyendowment

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Call of Duty Endowment