The Gift of Chess

What The Gift of Chess does

The Gift of Chess is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in New York City in December 2020 that manufactures and distributes physical chess sets globally to underserved populations. Its primary beneficiaries are students in public schools, prison inmates, and refugees in displacement camps, served through three corresponding outreach initiatives (Education, Prison, Refugee). Each chess set is bundled with a QR code linking recipients to a free mobile chess application on iOS and Android, extending the physical product into a lightweight digital learning surface.

The organization's supply chain is built around an in-house recycled-plastic manufacturing capability operated through partnerships with Kijiji Solutions in Kibera, Kenya and Soga Chess in Goma, DRC, producing roughly 40 sets per day and creating local jobs while converting waste plastic into program inventory. Distribution is executed through a global ambassador network conducting micro-distributions of five-chess-set gifts in 70+ countries, supplemented by bulk corporate donations and high-visibility events including the UN Games and the Times Square chess marathon that set a Guinness World Record.

The Gift of Chess is funded through a diversified mix of individual donations (GoFundMe charity page, monthly Builder subscriptions at $10/$50/$150 tiers), corporate and foundation grants (UBS, Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas), a small e-commerce art-merchandise line, and direct chess-set sales. The organization is volunteer-driven at the operational layer, with a small core team led by Founder Russ Makofsky and Global Head Susan Namangale, and is governed by a board that includes Tunde Onakoya (Chess in Slums Africa founder) and Tyrone Davis III, with Corey Jacobs serving as Honorary Chairman. Its stated objective is to distribute 1 million chess sets globally by 2030.

Name

The Gift of Chess

Legal name

The Gift of Chess

Website

https://thegiftofchess.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Charitable Chess Distribution

NAICS

Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120), Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42392)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

Physical Game Distribution & Retail (Boxed Games, Wholesale, Merchandising) (MPAFABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Games & Puzzles Distribution (CRAOAMAB)

Keywords

• Chess set distribution
• Nonprofit humanitarian organization
• Recycled plastic manufacturing
• Global charity outreach
• Education chess programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through GoFundMe charity page or direct mail. Donations support purchase and distribution of chess sets, technology platform development, and event organization.
2. Corporate and Foundation Donations: Corporations and foundations make donations, often with specific initiatives or geographic focus. Partners include UBS, Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas.
3. Chess Set Sales: The organization sells chess sets (approximately $4 per set with $36 shipping), with some sales generating revenue to support manufacturing and distribution operations, such as the recycled plastic chess sets from Kibera and Goma.
4. Monthly Builder Program: Monthly recurring donations through the 'Builder' program where individuals commit to monthly support at $10, $50, or $150 levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Gift of Chess manufactures and distributes physical chess sets made from recycled plastics to underserved communities worldwide. Each chess set includes a QR code linking to a free mobile chess application. Distribution is organized around three flagship initiatives: education outreach (schools), prison outreach, and refugee outreach, delivered through a global ambassador network across 70+ countries.

Product overview

The Gift of Chess is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a global movement manufacturing and distributing chess sets made from recycled plastics. The core offering consists of physical chess sets distributed through three main initiatives: education outreach (schools), prison outreach, and refugee outreach. Each chess set includes a QR code linking to a free mobile app available on Apple iOS and Android. The organization operates manufacturing facilities in Kibera, Kenya and Goma, DRC, transforming waste plastics into chess sets at approximately 40 sets per day. The product portfolio also includes an e-commerce store selling art merchandise (vessels/vases) and the Kibera Chess Mentorship Program. The stated goal is to distribute 1 million chess sets globally by 2030, reaching every country with 1,000+ chess sets each.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Gift of Chess Chess Set
• Kibera Chess Mentorship Program
• The Ember Vessel Art vessel product sold to support The Gift of Chess mission, priced at $250.
• The Horizon Vase Art vase product sold to support The Gift of Chess mission, priced at $130.
• The Solace Vessel Art vessel product sold to support The Gift of Chess mission, priced at $170.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 200,000 chess sets distributed globally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Soga ChesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026DRC-based partner leading distribution and manufacturing in Goma. Soga Chess teaches children across Goma and manages the local factory operation.
• Kijiji SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Manufacturing partnership transforming plastic waste into custom chess sets. First factory in Kibera, Kenya with second planned for Goma, DRC.
• FIDEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Partnership with FIDE (World Chess Federation) for chess education initiatives at Kakuma Refugee Camp and other global programs.
• Haitian Chess FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025Distribution partnership for 400 chess sets supporting 'Jwèt Echek – Jwèt Lavi' (Chess Game – Life Game) project including St. Marc Inter-School Chess Championship.
• Malala FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2025Partnership with Malala Fund supporting girls' education through chess at Shangla Girls School in Pakistan.
• Nazareth Chess ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2025Arab-Jewish cultural bridge organization in Israel hosting simultaneous exhibitions and distributing chess sets through Beit Ha'Gefen.
• ChessBase IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 August 2024Collaboration with ChessBase India for distribution of 30,000 chess sets across Indian states, aiming for 1,000 sets per state.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• FIDE Social Commission: The social-chess arm of the World Chess Federation, of which Gift of Chess's Erick Takawira is a Councillor. Comparable in mission but operates as an industry governing body coordinating many smaller charities rather than distributing sets directly.
• Books for Africa:
• Toys for Tots: Established US Marine Corps charity distributing toys to underprivileged children — comparable physical-goods charitable distribution model at much larger scale; useful benchmark for logistics and donor infrastructure.

Direct peers

• US Chess Center: Nonprofit using chess for educational and social development in underserved DC communities — a regional direct peer in chess-for-impact programming targeting similar school-age and at-risk populations.
• Kasparov Chess Foundation: Major chess-focused nonprofit promoting chess in education globally through curriculum, teacher training, and set distribution. Closest large-scale comparator to The Gift of Chess's education and refugee outreach verticals.
• Chess Without Borders: Charitable organization distributing chess sets and running educational chess programs in underserved communities across multiple countries — directly overlapping mission and distribution model with The Gift of Chess.
• Chess in Slums Africa: Founded by Tunde Onakoya (a Gift of Chess board member), Chess in Slums Africa uses chess for social impact in underserved African communities — directly comparable mission, geography, and target beneficiaries to The Gift of Chess.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thegiftofchess
• YouTubetwitch.tv/thegiftofchess
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thegiftofchess
• Instagraminstagram.com/thegiftofchess

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Gift of Chess