INDIANAPOLIS (March 14, 2025) — Gen Con, North America's largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention, has selected Indy-based Women4Change Indiana and Brown Toy Box Foundation as its official 2025 charity partners. Since moving to Indianapolis in 2003, the annual convention has raised nearly half a million dollars for its charity partners.
“Gen Con is thrilled to partner with Women4Change Indiana and Brown Toy Box Foundation as our official charity partners for 2025,” said Jackie Martin, Director of Marketing for Gen Con. “These organizations reflect our dedication to inclusivity and support within the Indianapolis and tabletop gaming communities. I am thrilled we have chosen to focus on an organization that is dedicated to the women of Indiana while also highlighting the significance of STEAM education for Black students through gaming and purposeful play. We aim to create meaningful experiences for our attendees while supporting these exceptional organizations' important work.”
As a part of this partnership, both organizations will receive proceeds from Gen Con's 2025 fundraising efforts, including longstanding charity events such as the popular Cardhalla, a mass destruction of giant playing card structures, and the board game auction, where highly desirable items donated by exhibitors and collectors will open for bids. Both groups will receive promotional marketing and exhibiting space at the convention to connect with attendees and share information about their work.
“Women4Change Indiana is thrilled to partner with Gen Con, a champion of inclusivity and community,” said Angie Klitzsch, CEO of Women4Change Indiana. “Together, we empower individuals to unite, engage, advocate, and make a meaningful impact in Indiana. This collaboration highlights the power of unity in driving equity, representation, and positive change—values that both Gen Con and Women4Change hold dear. We can't wait to see what progress we make working together.”
Gen Con Indy 2025 will run July 31- August 3 in the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, and surrounding downtown hotels. 4-Day and single-day badges are available for purchase at gencon.com. The convention will continue to offer thousands of ticketed in-person events and a sold-out Exhibit Hall. Also returning are fan-favorite experiences, including the Makers Market featuring local Indy artisans and creators, the annual Costume Contest, the Gen Con Film Festival, the outdoor Block Party featuring the Sun King Beer Garden, dozens of food trucks, and live entertainment.
About Brown Toy Box Foundation
Brown Toy Box Foundation is creating the next generation of Black innovators, leaders, and artists, one scholar at a time. Brown Toy Box collaborates with partners and individual dream catalysts to expose Black elementary school students to STEAM careers and activities through play-based learning. Brown Toy Box leverages educational toys, games, experiences, and digital offerings to confidently equip scholars to explore STEAM activities.
Brown Toy Box Foundation works with corporate and philanthropic partners to create a world where Black children are positively represented, equipped, and educated to achieve greatness through equitable opportunities.
“It is our responsibility to normalize Black excellence, create pathways to prosperous careers, and expand Black children's ideas for the possibilities for their lives through STEAM education, purposeful play, and cultural representation. “- Terri Nichelle Bradley, Founder and CEO.
To learn more about Brown Toy Box Foundation, visit www.browntoybox.com.
About Women4Change Indiana
Founded in 2017, Women4Change Indiana is a statewide nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis and dedicated to increasing positive outcomes for women and girls in health and wellness, economic mobility, and personal safety and security. We work with institutional partners and individual stakeholders across political parties to equip Hoosiers to engage in the democratic process and advance programs and policies that prioritize Hoosier women.
Women4Change provides opportunities for education, collaboration, activation, and advocacy through a wide range of programs and services. We empower women to make informed choices and organize and advance solutions that grow the economy, workforce, and quality of life of residents.
With a focus on equity and inclusion, Women4Change Indiana helps to build coalitions and develop relationships with cross-sector partners with a goal to increase voter turnout, amplify women's voices in public spaces and advance civic engagement opportunities for women and girls.
To learn more about Women4Change, visit www.women4changeindiana.org.
About Gen Con
Gen Con is North America's largest and longest-running annual event devoted to tabletop gaming culture. The convention, which began in 1968 in Lake Geneva, WI, takes place each summer in Indianapolis, IN. During the convention, attendees shop and demo games from hundreds of exhibiting companies and choose from thousands of ticketed events representing a wide array of board games, card games, roleplaying games, seminars, entertainment events, and more.
Gen Con Logos and Brand Kit: marketing@gencon.com
Photographs of Gen Con Indy 2024: bit.ly/gencon2024media
Media Contact for Gen Con
Stacia Kirby, (206) 363-1492, stacia@kirbycomm.com