Community Spotlight: Ayymart

Why do you choose to fundraise?

After watching what my sister went through in losing two friends in middle/high school, and also losing countless family members to cancer, I wanted to ensure that I used the platform I have to do good in the world through charity fundraising. Most notably, losing my uncle Brent to cancer at the young age of 32 was one of the most difficult times I’ve ever had to endure. My wish is to combine the love of gaming I have with the love of doing good for others through charity fundraising.

What Tiltify tools have you used that made an impact on your fundraising?

Polls are absolutely incredible for what I do! With doing a lot of speedruns where I can name different characters, this allows chat to pick a name for characters that will be used for the duration of my speedruns! I used this last year during a Final Fantasy 9 speedrun community race as well to drive donations so people could show support for what color textboxes they liked more, and it raised nearly $1400 by itself!

What is a fun fact you’d like to share?

My love for gaming started at a young age, as I watched my dad and uncles play Final Fantasy 7. Ever since I can remember, I have always been a fan of playing RPGs and now speedrun a lot of the games that I grew up with! This love for Final Fantasy has led me to be a member and co-organizer of The Charity Braves, who since it’s inception has raised nearly $225,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital!

What advice do you have for anyone fundraising for the first time?

1. Find your why. Why are you choosing to fundraise? Why are you choosing the cause that you are choosing? Explain to others why your “why” matters.
2. There’s no such thing as failing when it comes to fundraising. Whether you raise $1, $10, $10,000, you are using your platform to do good by choosing to fundraise. Never underestimate yourself as a charity fundraiser! You’re a success no matter the amount you fundraise.
3. Don’t be afraid to get those around you involved! I organize speedrun showcases and races and love nothing more than hearing from others who participate how amazing the experience of fundraising feels. Go out and meet like-minded people. Take the plunge and join a team! There are many others out there like you who want to see you succeed! You got this!