NEW YORK — MrBeast is making strides to convert the achievements of his Amazon Prime Video reality show into substantial charity funding. The prominent YouTube figure is launching an initiative whereby the first 40 donors who contribute $100,000 to his registered nonprofit will gain exclusive access to the set of Beast Games Season 2 over a weekend. This exclusive event is scheduled for June 27-29 in MrBeast’s North Carolina studio, offering these significant donors and up to two of their guests a chance to tour the studio, engage in a private question and answer session with the production team, and visit the food pantry operated by Beast Philanthropy.
This strategic offer comes as Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, has built a formidable media empire valued at $5 billion and amassed over 400 million subscribers on YouTube, already a noteworthy record-holding audience. A lingering question arises, however: can his young fanbase and their families afford to make such large donations?
In a post on a social platform, MrBeast articulated his motivations: “I have some significant charity projects I want to fund, making this a win/win.” By engaging his extensive and passionate audience, Donaldson seeks to introduce a novel fundraising technique. Historically, MrBeast’s charitable endeavors showcased on his YouTube channels have been supported financially through the revenue generated by his Beast Philanthropy channel.
Beast Philanthropy is devoted to “alleviating suffering wherever and whenever possible,” with a mission to inspire future generations to adopt kindness and make it widely appreciated. Their initiatives have been praised for supporting local community projects, which often lacked previous funding, though some have criticized them for allegedly exploiting vulnerable individuals for so-called “inspiration porn.” Previous campaigns have tackled significant issues such as addressing rheumatic heart disease in Nigeria, protecting endangered animals in Kenya, building water wells in various African nations, and funding cataract surgeries for 1,000 people.
This approach also underscores Donaldson’s unwavering commitment to philanthropy amid suggestions that taking a break from it could ease criticisms. Addressing such allegations, Donaldson remarked that the negative perception around him seems exacerbated by his charitable actions. In a discussion shared last November on a YouTube channel, he expressed, “People hate me more because I do good,” while cautiously explaining, “Maybe that’s too exaggerated a statement. I’m not intending to claim victimhood here.” Furthermore, he mentioned he finds greater enjoyment in creating content that aids people.
The fundraising approach MrBeast is employing resembles those adopted by luxury charity events or political fundraisers, such as exclusive galas and golf tournaments, wherein attendees “pay for status by making some donation,” according to Deborah Small, a psychological and marketing expert at Yale University. Small comments that donors driven purely by generosity do not require additional incentives, and charitable causes generally benefit regardless of the motivations behind donations. She adds, “MrBeast seems to be wagering that this exclusive event might entice a segment of potential donors who typically wouldn’t contribute to give.”
This announcement closely follows Amazon Prime Video’s decision to renew Beast Games for two more seasons. The high-stakes reality series initially challenged 1,000 participants to compete for a $5 million prize, which was ultimately doubled during the grand finale on February 13. Reports indicate the show shattered streaming viewership records on the platform, accruing 50 million views within 25 days post-debut.
Aside from this latest endeavor, MrBeast recently addressed shortcomings related to an “immersive” and “unforgettable” weekend experience at a Las Vegas resort in April, which did not meet attendee expectations. Through social media, MrBeast acknowledged the experience did not unfold as he had envisioned. In response, he offered those affected a complimentary tour of his North Carolina headquarters, aiming to redress the situation.