Happy New Year from Shine A Light Gaming!
We hope you had a wonderful holiday season with your family and loved ones. In this first edition of the Shine A Light Gaming newsletter, read on to see what we accomplished and what’s in store for 2026.
Microgrant Program Update
Thank you so much to everyone who applied for the first round of the Shine A Light Gaming Microgrant Program! Due to the high volume of impressive applications received, our team is taking additional time to give each submission the thorough review it deserves.
The SALG Microgrant Program prioritizes projects that advance meaningful social impact in gaming, particularly those that promote empathy, improve safety, counter hate and extremism, and strengthen inclusive representation. We are looking for creative, innovative ideas that are realistic in scope, well-thought-through, and capable of engaging a clearly defined audience in a meaningful way, even at a small scale. Strong proposals demonstrate both creative originality and executional readiness, align with one of SALG’s core impact categories, and show potential for broader influence or learning beyond the initial grant. Preference is given to projects where a modest investment can materially accelerate progress.
We will announce awardees at the end of January 2026. We appreciate your patience as we work through this process. In the meantime, please follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with SALG initiatives.
Evaluation Criteria Now Available
Applicants can review the criteria our team is using to assess submissions. Visit the Microgrant Program page to view the evaluation criteria.
Thank you for being part of our mission to make gaming a more inclusive and welcoming space.
Research Published: Understanding the Needs of Video Game Digital Communities
Gaming communities need leaders who can keep people safe. But most community managers and moderators get zero training before they start. Leaders are learning on the job, often unprepared for what they face.
In partnership with Dr. Rachel Kowert, Shine A Light Gaming published two whitepapers addressing the needs of community managers and the expectations of players toward their community leaders.
Train Them Or Lose Them (Both): A Needs Assessment for Digital Leadership in Games
Don’t Tell Us What to Do (But Do Keep Us Safe): Player Expectations for Gaming Community Leadership
These two studies reveal the gap between what players need and what leaders can deliver. Real change starts by giving leaders the tools they actually need.
Thank you so much for all of your support in 2025, and we’re looking forward to amazing things in 2026!
