What Qweerty Gamers does

Qweerty Gamers is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 83-2052201) headquartered in Van Nuys, California, that supports and uplifts LGBTQIA2S+ gamers, creators, and industry professionals through resources, community programming, education, and grant-making. The organization originated in 2015 as a Facebook Group for LGBTQIA2S+ Minecraft players and formally incorporated as a nonprofit in late 2018 with pro bono legal services from the law firm Paul Hastings. Its core programmatic portfolio includes the Queer Games Web App (a database for discovering queer and queer-made games), the annual Queer Quest Pride-month celebration, the QG Creator Program for streamers and developers, the PC Lab facility in Northridge, the Victoria Kennedy Microgrant for LGBTQ+ game developers, and the QG Android Port Grant (in partnership with Google Play) for mobile accessibility.

The organization's business model is donation- and sponsorship-driven rather than product-priced. Revenue streams include individual tax-deductible donations (structured as pay-as-you-go with suggested tiers of $10, $10, $20, $30, $40 and custom amounts), corporate sponsorship partnerships (annual tier with Zynga, Owlchemy Labs, and Pipeworks Studios designated as Game Changer-level supporters), and grant program disbursements. The organization publicly reports that 63 cents of every donated dollar funds programming, 29 cents covers operations, and 8 cents supports fundraising. The go-to-market motion is community-led, acquiring supporters through Discord, Twitch streaming, social media, and presence at gaming conventions including GDC and TwitchCon.

Qweerty Gamers operates with a small team of 1-10 employees under President and CEO Raymond Lancione, who founded the nonprofit in 2018 and previously held roles at Nexon and Pearl Abyss. The organization has contributed over $40,000 in cumulative funding to LGBTQ+ game development, hosted 35 community game nights, and earned consecutive Gayming Awards Community Impact Award nominations in 2025 and 2026. Its trusted partner network spans gaming studios (Owlchemy Labs, Pipeworks, Outerloop Games), platform partners (Twitch, Google Play), industry associations (IGDA), media (Gayming Magazine), and community organizations (Q Con Prism, QT Nightlife, Geeky Glamorous, Merge Conflict Studio).

Name

Qweerty Gamers

Legal name

Qweerty Gamers, Inc.

Website

https://qweertygamers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Qweerty Gamers is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports LGBTQIA2S+ gamers, creators, and industry professionals through community programs, grants, events, and the Queer Games Web App database, funded primarily by individual donations and gaming-industry corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gaming Community Advocacy Nonprofit

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Gaming Social Networks & Community Platforms (profiles, guilds, forums, discovery) (MPAFAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gaming Community, Chat & LFG Platforms (BPAMAKAK), Gaming & Virtual World Social Platforms (MPACAJAG)

Keywords

• Gaming community advocacy
• Nonprofit grant programs
• Creator network support
• Queer game database
• Gaming event production

Headquarters

HQ city

Van Nuys

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting LGBTQIA+ representation in gaming. Supports programming, operations, and fundraising efforts.
2. Sponsorship partnerships: Corporate sponsorships from gaming companies and organizations during events like Queer Quest, Pa-Raid-a-Thon, and GDC presence.
3. Victoria Kennedy Microgrant: Grant program providing funding to LGBTQ+ game developers and creators. Over $40,000 contributed to support LGBTQ+ games development and visibility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Qweerty Gamers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports LGBTQIA2S+ gamers, creators, and industry professionals by providing community access, grants, game showcases, and educational resources. It operates the Queer Games Web App database, the QG Creator network, the Victoria Kennedy Microgrant and QG Android Port Grant funding programs, the annual Queer Quest Pride celebration, and events at major gaming conventions such as GDC and TwitchCon.

Product overview

Qweerty Gamers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a community platform supporting LGBTQIA2S+ gamers, creators, and industry professionals. The core portfolio includes the Queer Games Web App (a database showcasing queer and queer-made games), the Queer Games Showcase initiative (featuring games through Twitch and IRL events), the annual Queer Quest Pride celebration (with streaming events and the Pa-Raid-a-Thon fundraiser), the QG Creator Program (a network supporting LGBTQIA2S+ content creators), the PC Lab (an IRL gaming facility), monthly Newsletters, and grant programs (the Victoria Kennedy Microgrant for game development and the QG Android Port Grant for mobile accessibility). The organization also hosts the annual Beyond Pixels GDC Mixer for LGBTQ+ game industry networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• $40,000+ contributed to LGBTQ+ game development
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered annual partner, core, trusted network and founding partner.

• Zyngaannual partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner of Qweerty Gamers. Zynga's LGBTQ+ employee group zPride collaborates with Qweerty for events like Queer Quest game showcases.
• Owlchemy Labsannual partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner supporting Qweerty Gamers' mission to advance LGBTQIA2S+ representation in gaming.
• Pipeworks Studioannual partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partner designated as 'Game Changer' level supporter. Game studio dedicated to inclusive game development.
• Q Con PrismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted network partner for queer geek convention in West Hollywood during Pride month. Table at Q Con to showcase LGBTQ+ game representation.
• Gayming Magazinetrusted networkGTM or Marketing PartnerTrusted network partner providing press coverage and collaboration on content including NYCC panel presentation.
• IGDAtrusted networkGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational Game Developers Association partnership for booth presence at DreamHack Dallas and community support.
• Geeky Glamoroustrusted networkGTM or Marketing PartnerSherman Oaks-based partner hosting Pride in Gaming Queer Games Showcase events and selling merchandise.
• QT Nightlifetrusted networkStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent production organization creating spaces for queer and trans people of color. Co-hosted Ricebreakers Super Smash Bros event.
• Riot Games Rainbow Rioterstrusted networkStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQIA2S+ employee group at Riot Games partnered for Queer Quest Vers(us) gaming showdown event.
• Google PlaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Android Port Grant program supporting LGBTQ+ games accessibility on Android platforms.
• Informa/GDCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBooth partner at Game Developers Conference Festival Hall (Booth 2165) with support from Kitty Powers Matchmaker Makeover.
• Magic NotioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDeveloper of Kitty Powers' Matchmaker Makeover supporting Qweerty Gamers' GDC booth as official booth partner.
• Paul Hastingsfounding partnerOthersInternational law firm that provided legal services to establish Qweerty Gamers as a 501c3 nonprofit in 2018.
• TwitchcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatform partner for streaming game showcases, Pa-Raid-a-Thon fundraisers, and TwitchCon LGBTQ+ meetup events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• GLAAD: Major LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization that runs gaming-industry programs (e.g., GLAAD Media Awards gaming category). Comparable as an LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit that partners with publishers on representation initiatives.
• IGDA (International Game Developers Association): Largest global game-developer membership organization. Qweerty partners with IGDA on booth presence (DreamHack Dallas) and community support, and both serve industry professionals through events and networking.
• Trevor Project: Large LGBTQ+ youth crisis nonprofit with a gaming-industry presence (TrevorSpace, TrevorProject x game publisher partnerships). Comparable as an LGBTQ+ mission nonprofit that runs gaming-related outreach and corporate alliances.
• GLSEN: Education-focused LGBTQ+ nonprofit. Comparable as a longstanding 501(c)(3) serving an LGBTQ+ community through programming and partnerships, though in K-12 rather than gaming.

Emerging players

• Outright Games: Game publisher specializing in family-friendly LGBTQ+ inclusive titles. Comparable as a commercial entity whose mission intersects with Qweerty's visibility-and-representation mandate, though operating as a publisher rather than a nonprofit.

Direct peers

• AbleGamers Foundation: Nonprofit focused on accessibility and inclusion for disabled gamers. Operates in the same charitable/community-advocacy category within gaming, comparable as a small-team nonprofit supported by publisher sponsorships and individual donations.
• Gayming Awards: Annual awards program recognizing LGBTQIA+ contributions in gaming. Qweerty Gamers is a 2025 and 2026 Community Impact Award nominee, placing both organizations in the same recognition and community-building lane.
• Gayming Magazine: LGBTQIA+ focused gaming media outlet and awards organizer. Listed as a Trusted Network partner of Qweerty Gamers and operates the Gayming Awards, making it the closest media/community peer in the same niche.
• Take This: Nonprofit advancing mental health awareness in gaming. Comparable as a mission-driven nonprofit in gaming that combines community programs, industry partnerships, and event presence (e.g., PAX).
• Stack Up: Nonprofit using gaming to support veterans' mental health. Comparable operating model — small nonprofit, donation/sponsorship funded, community events, gaming industry partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/qweertygamers
• Facebookfacebook.com/qweertygamers
• Instagraminstagram.com/qweertygamers
• TikToktiktok.com/@qweertygamers
• Xx.com/QweertyGamers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qweertygamers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Qweerty Gamers