Gen Con Announces Super Heroines, Etc., and Immigrant Welcome Center as Official Charity Partners for 2026 Convention

INDIANAPOLIS (February 26, 2026) — Gen Con, North America's largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention, has selected Super Heroines, Etc., and Indy-based Immigrant Welcome Center as its official 2026 charity partners. Since establishing Indianapolis as “The Home of The Best Four Days in Gaming™” in 2003, the annual tabletop gaming convention has raised nearly half a million dollars for charity.

“Gen Con is incredibly excited to partner with Super Heroines, Etc., and the Indianapolis-based Immigrant Welcome Center as our official charity partners for 2026,” said Gen Con Director of Marketing Jackie Martin. “These organizations embody our commitment to inclusivity and community support, which are at the heart of our convention. By collaborating with them, we aim not only to uplift marginalized voices within the gaming community but also to reinforce our shared values of compassion, empowerment, and representation. Together, we’re creating an environment where everyone can thrive as heroes both on and off the gaming table.”

As part of this partnership, both organizations will receive proceeds from Gen Con’s 2026 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 be put up for bid. Both groups will receive promotional marketing and exhibiting space at the convention to connect with attendees and share information about their work.

“This partnership with Gen Con amplifies what Super Heroines, Etc. does best—using fandom as a force for good,” said the President of Super Heroines, Etc. Carolyn Noe. “Together, we’re creating opportunities for more people to see themselves as heroes, storytellers, and leaders within the gaming community."

“We want to thank Gen Con for inviting Immigrant Welcome Center to highlight the impact of our immigrant neighbors and to emphasize the importance of making communities inclusive and welcoming for all,” said Gurinder Kaur, chief executive officer of IWC. “Gen Con’s partnership with organizations like Immigrant Welcome Center demonstrates how collaboration can advance equity and respect in challenging times. We look forward to connecting with Gen Con’s passionate attendees and sharing our mission to create safe and welcoming communities for all.”

Gen Con 2026 will run July 30- August 2 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 Super Heroines, Etc.

Super Heroines, Etc. is a joyful and inclusive non-profit organization that uses the power of fandom to fight for equity and representation. We gather super heroines in safe environments for empowering events, fostering educational opportunities, and inspiring creative change in their communities. As activists, we attend local, regional, and national conventions to discuss representation in the media and provide tools and support for Super Heroines, Etc. to be agents of positive change.

Super Heroines, Etc. has strong momentum around community and fandom-based empowerment. Our programs are ready to evolve from community engagement to leadership and activism development. Our strategic vision is to cultivate women, underrepresented genders, and youth leaders in the TTRPG and other fandom communities across the country.

Our future programs include Roll For Representation, in which shared leadership is learned through play, Play With Purpose, which teaches facilitation and activism skills, Youth Advisory Board, which advocates for youth leadership in action, and Girls Who GM, which encourages more women and girls to the head of the table

These programs will help teach cooperative leadership as well as advocacy and collaboration through creative play and social connectedness. To find out more, visit superheroinesetc.org.

About Immigrant Welcome Center

Founded in 2006, Immigrant Welcome Center is a nonprofit organization providing comprehensive immigrant support, community integration, and advocacy based in Indianapolis. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2026, we look forward to continuing our work as a trusted partner and advocate for all immigrants.

We support immigrant neighbors and community partners by providing programs including English and citizenship classes, naturalization clinics, trainings and presentations, and more. We offer unique volunteer opportunities, including Natural Helpers, trained individuals who assist immigrants as they transition to life in Indiana.

Learn more about Immigrant Welcome Center at immigrantwelcomecenter.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.

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Photographs of Gen Con Indy 2025: https://bit.ly/gencon2025media

Media Contact for Gen Con Stacia Kirby, (206) 363-1492, [email protected]