Social media shapes the way millions think, talk, and act every single day. A single viral post can spark a global debate, while a livestream can unite people across continents in real time. Hence, it’s no surprise that this influence is changing the way people donate.
As fundraising expert Larry Johnson said in Episode 8 of our podcast Stories of Change: “You need to be present where your supporters and potential supporters are.” The idea is simple: the heart of giving hasn’t changed, but the spaces where we connect with causes certainly have.
That’s where influencers step in. Around the world, creators are using their reach and relatability to turn livestreams into powerful fundraising tools. Whether it’s a global mega-marathon or a quiet game of chess, these digital events are proving that online influence can drive very real change.
Here are five stories that show how and why influencer fundraising works.
1. MrBeast and the New Age of Livestream Philanthropy
Few creators have pushed livestream fundraising to the scale of MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson). On 1 August 2025, he teamed up with engineer-YouTuber Mark Rober to launch #TeamWater, aiming to raise $40 million for clean drinking water through WaterAid. Within weeks, they had already secured the equivalent of 6 million years of water access.
It peaked on August 14, 2025, when MrBeast, Adin Ross and xQc went live on Kick and stayed on for 15 hours and 40 minutes: this stream was a world record attempt for longest continuous live stream, and once confirmed, made an official Guinness World Record. The marathon stream concluded with a donation amount of $12.02 million. The energy soared even higher with surprise pledges, including a massive $2.25 million gift from hedge fund manager Kenneth Griffin.
Tell a story people want to share, involve the community and make results visible.
But it wasn’t just about the money. Earlier that summer, MrBeast invited donors who gave $100,000 or more to spend a weekend at his North Carolina studio, showing how philanthropy can feel personal and participatory. From #TeamTrees to #TeamSeas, his model has stayed the same: tell a story people want to share, involve the community, and make results visible.
2. Nikhil Kamath and the Power of a Chessboard
Now let’s change gears from mega-streams to something more understated but just as important: chess. In June 2021, Indian entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath played against former World Champion Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand in a live simul on Chess.com India to raise money for The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s COVID-19 relief efforts.
A classic board game turned into an engine for generosity with clear donation paths, trusted cultural icons, and total transparency.
The line-up featured celebrities like Aamir Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kiccha Sudeep, drawing in audiences well beyond chess fans. By the end of the evening, they had raised ₹10 lakh, contributing to the wider “Checkmate COVID” initiative, which had already mobilised ₹60 lakh and over US $50,000 from earlier charity games. Its success came from keeping things simple: clear donation paths, trusted cultural icons and total transparency. A classic board game turned into an engine for generosity.
3. Tanmay Bhat and the Rise of Creator Collectives
If MrBeast showed what global scale looks like, comedian Tanmay Bhat showed how Indian creators could mobilise communities in moments of crisis.
When COVID’s first wave hit in April 2020, Tanmay turned his YouTube channel into a fundraising hub. Over two eight-hour marathons called Stay Home For India, he and Kaneez Surka (South African actress and comedian) brought together more than 80 creators, running roasts, quizzes, games and improv. The result: ₹24.6 lakh raised, funding PPE kits for hospitals and rations for waste pickers through COVIDINDIA.org and Kashtakari Panchayat Trust.
Clear outcomes plus community energy can generate immediate support.
A year later, during the second wave, he scaled it up. In May 2021, with Samay Raina (Comedian and YouTuber), he co-hosted Show Up For India, a two-day telethon featuring chess, GeoGuessr, improv and live music. Backed by GiveIndia and Hemkunt Foundation, the event raised a massive ₹62 lakh. The formula worked because it was collaborative, transparent and engaging. This shows us how clear outcomes plus community energy can generate immediate support.
4. Jacksepticeye and the Spirit of Thankmas
While many livestream fundraisers run once, Irish creator Jacksepticeye (Seán McLoughlin) turned his into a yearly tradition: Thankmas. Every December, thousands of creators join in, all streaming for the same cause, anchored by Jack’s central broadcast.
Since launch, Thankmas has raised over $26 million:
- $4.6 million in 2020 for Red Nose Day
- $7.6 million in 2021 for housing through New Story
- $10.3 million in 2022 for World Central Kitchen (a record)
And even in 2024, with a focus on mental health, it still brought in $3.2 million+ for Crisis Text Line and Samaritans.
The secret? Accessibility. Any creator can launch a Thankmas fundraiser on Tiltify, while Jack’s main stream keeps the energy high with celebrity appearances and milestone unlocks. It feels less like a fundraiser, more like a global movement; one where generosity naturally multiplies.
5. Mythpat, Slayy Point, and “Mask On India”
During India’s brutal second COVID wave in April 2021, creators Mythpat (Mithilesh Patankar) and Slayy Point (Abhyudaya Mohan and Gautami Kawale) stepped up. On 25 April, they hosted Mask On India, a 7.5-hour YouTube livestream featuring more than 35 creators, among them CarryMinati, Ashish Chanchlani, Tanmay Bhat, Technical Guruji, and Kusha Kapila.
Urgency, along with unity, transformed entertainment into immediate relief.
The results were staggering: ₹50–51 lakh raised in one night, all channelled to the Hemkunt Foundation for oxygen supply. A live donation tally, rotating guests, and constant reminders kept viewers engaged. The stream went on to cross 13 million views, magnifying the effect far beyond that night. Urgency, along with unity, transformed entertainment into immediate relief.
The Future of Fundraising Is Interactive
From record-breaking kick marathons to a single chessboard in India, these examples highlight one truth: livestreams are shifting philanthropy. The magic isn’t only in the scale, it’s in the participation. Donors don’t feel like spectators; they feel like part of something bigger.
For nonprofits, the chance is wide open. Partner with influencers, make donation paths transparent and keep audiences engaged in real time. Done well, fundraising shifts from a transaction into an experience people want to join.
Influencers bring reach. Nonprofits bring purpose. Livestreaming bridges the two. Together, they are demonstrating that generosity can be instant, visible and profoundly human, even in the digital age.
Want more real-world examples like these, plus practical ideas on how your NGO can design campaigns that inspire trust and move people?
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