Annual Fundraising Gala Set for March 10, 2026 in San Francisco
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 10, 2025) – The Entertainment Software Association Foundation today announced its signature annual fundraiser, Nite to Unite, will return on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the historic Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California. The event brings together leaders from across the video game industry to raise funds supporting scholarships, career opportunities, and nonprofit organizations that encourage creativity and talent development in the games industry.
Last year’s Nite to Unite raised $1.25 million and honored Riot Games as the Champion Award Honoree of 2025. Founded in 1994, to date the ESA Foundation has raised over $23 million, supporting scholarships that inspire the next generation of game creators, as well as funding nonprofit organizations that help students, schools, members and non-governmental organizations working in the STEAM space.
“Year after year, we’ve seen the generosity of our industry leaders grow in remarkable ways, and in turn, the ESA Foundation can help more students and organizations than ever before,” said ESA Foundation Lead Sue Madden. “We’ve seen ESAF Scholars networking and getting jobs on the spot at Nite to Unite, and an increased number of scholarship applicants each year. Each Nite to Unite has built on the last, allowing us to expand our reach and fund even more life-changing opportunities for students and aspiring creators.”
At the 2026 Nite to Unite, the ESA Foundation will raise funds to support upcoming scholarships and honor nonprofits, individuals, and companies who drive social impact and demonstrate the power of the video games industry beyond entertainment. The organization will announce the 2026 ESA Foundation Scholars and award an industry leader the 2026 Champion Honoree.
Additional details about ticketing, sponsorship opportunities, and the evening’s program will be available in the coming months. For more information, visit https://www.theesa.com/foundation/nite-to-unite/.
About the ESA Foundation
The ESA Foundation awards scholarships to the next generation of industry innovators and supports schools and nonprofits that leverage interactive entertainment technology to create meaningful STEAM opportunities for America’s youth. It seeks to harness the power of the video game industry to create positive social impact and supports geographically diverse projects and programs benefitting grantees of all ages, races and genders. To date, the ESA Foundation has raised more than $23 million for a wide variety of worthy causes, primarily through its signature fundraising gala, Nite to Unite.
Media Contact
TriplePoint PR for ESAF
esaf@triplepointpr.com
Renee Sogueco