Lilipad and Gamelight: Why Corporate Social Responsibility in Tech Start-Ups Matters

At Lilipad, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change. This year, we were fortunate to forge a partnership with Gamelight, an AI-powered rewarded user acquisition platform for mobile games that has shown a commitment to our mission by backing us with a €10,000 donation earlier this year. This partnership is a testament to the value of cross-sectoral collaboration, demonstrating how tech start-ups can play a pivotal role in supporting grassroots organisations that strive to uplift their communities.

The Genesis of a Partnership

Our partnership with Gamelight emerged from a shared vision and mutual commitment to making a difference in the community. At the time, in early 2024, Lilipad had just completed a highly successful year—opening three new libraries in Berlin, and one in Marrakech, Morocco, and organising dozens of storytelling workshops for refugee children in Berlin. These achievements fueled our desire to scale our efforts and expand our impact, ensuring every child has access to quality books and a welcoming space to enjoy them.

Overcoming Challenges Through Corporate Support

However, like many small grassroots nonprofits, achieving our impact goals requires tangible resources. This need has become even more pressing due to recent budget cuts in Germany, which have impacted local initiatives. Traditional fundraising methods, such as grants, often come with rigid guidelines and bureaucratic demands that limit flexibility and make it challenging to cover essential operational costs.

This is where partnerships with private companies like Gamelight become invaluable and highly effective. Corporate donations offer a more pragmatic and less time-consuming approach to funding. These contributions typically come with fewer restrictions, allowing us to allocate resources where they are most needed, whether that’s supporting ongoing projects, covering overhead costs, or investing in new initiatives.

Photo taken following a Lilipad storytelling workshop at the refugee accommodation of Britz, Berlin. November 2023.

A Win-Win Collaboration

Corporate-nonprofit partnerships like ours with Gamelight are not just about financial support; they represent mutually beneficial collaborations. While companies gain the benefits of tax deductions and enhanced public relations, they also have the opportunity to boost employee satisfaction through meaningful volunteer work. 

“When tech companies support societal causes, they show potential employees that they care about more than just profits. This can be a key factor in attracting top talent in a competitive hiring environment” stresses Sasha Danylova, director of Gamelight, user acquisition platform for mobile games.

Additionally, companies can gain valuable insights from nonprofits, such as guidelines to develop an effective CSR program or improve their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies. Philanthropic partnerships can also unite like-minded organisations, fostering collaboration and networking with the confidence that they share the same goals and values. 

By investing in social good, tech start-ups not only contribute to a better world but also build stronger brands, attract top talent, and foster innovation. It’s a win-win scenario that more companies should embrace as part of their growth strategy.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to expand our reach and impact, we are grateful for Gamelight's support and shared vision, which has empowered our work and proven again the enormous potential of cross-sector collaborations. Together, we're advancing toward a future where every child has access to the resources they need to thrive.

We invite other private companies to join us on this journey, to see firsthand how their involvement can make a lasting difference in their communities. At Lilipad, we are committed to building more partnerships like this one, ensuring that together, we can create a brighter future for all.

About Lilipad

Lilipad is committed to advancing education by creating library spaces and providing reading opportunities to children affected by social exclusion, with a particular focus on children affected by conflict and displacement and residing in Berlin, Germany. We strive to promote literacy, learning, and resilience.

Your support can make a difference. Help us provide crucial resources to over 2,300 children in Germany, Morocco, Uganda and France.

Visit our donation page to contribute and be part of the solution.

Blog post written by Sara Arsalane, Founder & Managing Director at Lilipad.