Play a Game - for Good!

A new theme that will run throughout the conference is the use of games for social good and to advance learning. Special sessions and interactive activities will invite participants to experience how games can enhance the work of philanthropy. The games programming was developed by a team that includes Michelle Byrd, Games for Change; Tracy Fullerton, University of Southern California Interactive Media Division; Kristy Norindr, University of Southern California Game Innovation Lab; Mayur Patel, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Vince Stehle, Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media (GFEM). Here-s what we have on tap:

Hands-on Innovation: Games for Change

Take a test drive of the latest and greatest in the field of digital games for social impact. Curated by thought leaders in the field, this area of Resource Central provides grantmakers a unique opportunity to experience games that were created with a specific purpose: to inform, raise awareness, or drive real-world action. Experts in game development will answer questions and share knowledge about this emerging field.

Game Demos:

Re-Mission®

Sunday, April 29 - 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Re-Mission was developed specifically for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Join us as a nanobot named Roxxi destroys cancer cells, battles bacterial infections, and manages the side effects associated with cancer and cancer treatment.

Presenter: Richard Tate, vice president, communications and marketing, HopeLab
Funders: Pam Omidyar; HopeLab; Viviendi; Lance Armstrong Foundation; Annenberg Foundation

WeTopia

Monday, April 30 - 10-11 a.m.
WeTopia is an online Facebook game that allows players to connect with friends, build their virtual communities, and spend a unique currency called -Joy- that spreads real-world aid to nonprofits such as Save the Children, buildOn, and Heifer International.

Presenter: Hilary Meserole, chief marketing officer, Sojo Studios
Funder: Sojo Studios

Mission: Admission

Monday, April 30 - 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Mission: Admission is a Facebook game that creates playful ways to understand the systems essential to accessing higher education. It also provides a safe environment to learn and experiment with strategies such as time management and skill building.

Presenters: Elizabeth Swensen, research associate, University of Southern California; Sean Bouchard, research associate, University of Southern California
Developer: University of Southern California: The Game Innovation Lab

Family of Heroes

Monday, April 30 - 5-6 p.m.
Family of Heroes is an online role-playing training game designed to help families of returning veterans learn essential skills to manage common challenges facing families in adjusting to post-deployment life. Available through federal and state agencies in New York, New Jersey, Arizona, and Virginia, Family of Heroes already has been accessed by more than 56,000 people.

Developer: Kognito Interactive
Funder: Kognito Interactive; Veteran Affairs of NY/NJ

Games for Social Innovation and Impact: A How-To and Exploratorium

Sunday, April 29 - 2:30-4 p.m.

Games provide a unique engagement opportunity. Learn how to boost your effectiveness as a funder using fresh approaches and innovative strategies from the world of games, and get an inside look at how games are being deployed in novel ways for maximum social impact.

Presenters: Michelle Byrd, Co-President, Games for Change; Jessica Goldfin, Special Assistant to the President, John S. & James L. Knight Foundation; Dan White, CEO, Filament Games
Session Designer: Pamela Harris, Former Managing Director, Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media

The Future Is Mobile: Leveraging the Power in Everyone-s Hand

Monday, April 30 - 10-11:30 a.m.

From Egypt to East Los Angeles, change makers are generating enormous impact with mobile phone strategies. How can foundations support grantees in using mobile applications to meet their mission? Join practitioners and funder colleagues for hands-on learning and group discussion.

Presenters: John Bracken, Director/Journalism and Media Innovation, John S. & James L. Knight Foundation; Manuel Santamaria, Grantmaking Director, Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Moderator: Laura Efurd Vice President and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, ZeroDivide
Session Designers: Pamela Harris, Former Managing Director, Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media; Jeff Perlstein, Director, Strategic Engagement, ZeroDivide

Electric Maze: Becoming a More Effective Learning Organization

Monday, April 30 - 1-2:30 p.m.

This is a fun, fast-paced, activity stimulated group dialogue, supported by Interel's Electric Maze-, which is used by private philanthropic, business, and public organizations worldwide as an organizational development tool. Using the Maze experience to focus our thinking, we will explore ways to improve individual, team, and organizational learning within foundations.

Presenters: Boyd Watkins, President and CEO, Interel Inc.; Robert L. Weinberg, Ph.D
Session Designer: Claire Peeps, Executive Director, The Durfee Foundation

Hands on Innovation: Game Theory and Mechanics for Social Impact

Monday, April 30 - 1-2:30 p.m.

Join top practitioners in game development for a deep dive into the world of games for social good. Gain knowledge of game theory and practice and learn how games are being used to address urgent issues-from human rights and immigration to sustainable agriculture and community development.

Presenters: Tracy Fullerton, Associate Professor, USC Interactive Media Division; Susana Ruiz, Cofounder, Take Action Games and PhD Candidate, USC Media Arts + Practice; Benjamin Stokes, Researcher/PhD Student, USC Annenberg School for Communication
Session Designers: Michelle Byrd, Co-President, Games for Change; Pamela Harris, Former Managing Director, Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media

Power Dynamics: Live & In Person

Tuesday, May 1 - 10-11:45 a.m.

Participants will randomly be given colored chips with predetermined values. Based on the value of these chips, they will be divided into three groups: high, medium, and low status. Everyone will be able to engage in trading, and there will be opportunities to earn more chips. What each individual decides to do will shed light on the ways people operate: some band together, while others prefer to work individually. What will you do?

Presenter: Professor Nathanael Fast, Assistant Professor of Management and Organization, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California
Session Designers: Caroline D. Avery, President, The Durfee Foundation; Claire Peeps, Executive Director, The Durfee Foundation