6 Tips for First Time Charity Streamers on Twitch

Do you want to do a charity stream to help kids? But do you feel unsure of how to get started? Maybe it feels daunting or maybe you feel overwhelmed because it’s something you’ve never done before. 

Pix_Stitch, full-time content creator, Twitch Partner and charity streamer, is here to help! For the past four years, Pix_Stitch has fundraised on Twitch for causes he is passionate about, including uplifting hospitalized children with Starlight. 

Read his best tips, tricks and advice for first time charity streamers! 

1. Harness the power of a stream team 

Join a stream team to collaborate with friends or like-minded, passionate individuals! By networking within the groups you are already a part of, you can find the support of a community.  

During each other’s charity streams, you can do a collab or have each other as special guests which makes charity streaming less daunting and intimidating. 

“There’s strength in numbers to make a difference in children’s lives,” says Pix_Stitch. “At the end of the day, your impact is felt as a group of people from across the globe.” 

For example, Pix_Stitch joined Stream Stars because of their work with Starlight, having raised over $350,000 collectively since their inception. Stream Stars have made a tremendous impact on hospitalized kids, fundraising Starlight Gaming Stations and Handhelds for hospitals across the nation. 

Pix_Stitch is also a member of the Twitch Pride Guild, MoCo LoCo teams and founder of the Twitch Creator Club — Artists & Makers.

2. Plan your stream schedule ahead of time 

Whether deciding dates, times or when you schedule, have a definitive start and end to what you do within a charity’s particular campaign. Organizations like Starlight have key events that they do all year, so based on that, consider how your involvement fits in with your schedule. From there, you can figure out how many streams you can accommodate within that timeframe. 

3. Brainstorm milestones, incentives and stretch goals 

Don’t forget to think of milestones, incentives and stretch goals for your stream! Pix_Stitch’s pro-tip is putting ideas in a spreadsheet or bulleted lists.  

“I’m a big sucker for spreadsheets,” says Pix_Stitch. “But there’s always template formats out there to help you come up with ideas.” 

Looking for more ideas? Read Starlight’s article about 10 Milestones and Incentives Charity Streams. 

4. Consider different avenues to fundraise 

Pix_Stitch says there are multiple avenues to raise money to help make your campaign successful. For example, maybe you can do channel or promo art, commands and things that you can incorporate into your stream and stream deck for quick access when thinking about all of the housekeeping items to consider.  

Channel and promo art are where you incorporate charity/campaign logos alongside your own brand, along with highlighting the event and teasing incentives. Pix_Stitch says, “I typically create art for bringing up on stream, below in my panels, social posts, discord events, etc.” 

He includes channel commands such as  !starlight !donate and then also commands for wheel spin incentives to quickly communicate options for folks to pick from (Beanboozled, onesie and wigs choices). 

Pix_Stitch also includes quick buttons on my stream deck to turn things on and off (such as the wheel spin, scene changes for incentive redeems, game, crafting, speed draws, promo stuff, website info, etc. 

Giveaway items can be an option as well, being mindful of laws, rules and regulations of course. 

You can even consider doing a collab with a friend and creating merch together, whether through Bonfire or Fourth Wall or do a charity auction through Tiltify. 

5. Contribute to another friend's charity stream

Maybe you yourself can’t host an entire charity stream, but you can still make an impact! Contribute to other people’s campaigns, especially those on your stream team. You can provide an auction item, do a raid or promote their charity stream in your community or amplify a campaign. 

“There’s people who have come to me when I do a charity auction, saying, ‘I don’t have the time to necessarily raise, but I'd love to donate an item for the charity auction you’re doing for Starlight,’” recalls Pix_Stitch. 

6. Speak up, reach out and ask for help 

Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help from your community, other creators and the non-profit you are working with. 

“Never forget, ask questions,” Pix_Stitch encourages. “The Starlight team is there to help. They have a fantastic Discord they are so active in.” 

“There’s a bunch of people in there – Stream for Starlight Ambassadors, creators, partners, affiliates — we’re all in this together. It’s never a competition,” says Pix_Stitch.  

In final words of encouragement, Pix_Stitch urges first-time streamers to think about their potential to make a difference: 

“You can create impact regardless of dollar amounts. You’ve got a plan, and that’s the best start to making an impact.” - Pix_Stitch 

Ready to get started with your first charity stream to help kids?  

The Stream for Starlight community is here to help. Join us in our mission of delivering happiness to millions of hospitalized kids!