Igniting passion for games & technology — and turning it into careers.
Video Game Palooza is a 501(c)(3) public charity. We connect people's love of gaming with free technology training, real industry credentials, USDOL registered apprenticeships, and living-wage careers — at no cost to those who need it most.
Your passion for games funds someone's career
Every donation, every purchase, and every verification job creates a closed loop: your love of gaming directly funds free training, credentials, and careers for underserved people nationwide.
Video Game Palooza ignites people's passion for games and technology — then channels it into free training, real credentials, USDOL registered apprenticeships, and living-wage careers. We don't just train people for jobs. We build the jobs too.
GAMES → TRAINING → CREDENTIALS → CAREERS
Hall of Fame
International Video Game Hall of Fame
Class of 2019 · Community Action Award
Video Game Palooza was inducted into the International Video Game Hall of Fame for its commitment to empowering individuals through the educational and cultural potential of video games — connecting people's passions for technology and gaming with career pathways and credentials.
View Induction →Rick Barretto — Founder
Superstars of 2019 · Trading Card #3242
VGP founder Rick Barretto is recognized in the Video Game Trading Card Hall of Fame as a collector, author, inventor, and industry entrepreneur. In 1998 he invented the first PC-based video arcade for home/office use. One of his alumni is Tyler "Ninja" Blevins of Fortnite fame.
Read Feature →The people traditional pathways left behind
Underserved and underemployed adults, opportunity youth, and communities nationwide where the cost and access barriers of traditional pathways have put technology careers out of reach. We provide free, hands-on workforce training that leads to a credential and a job — not a bill.
Fund training. Fund a job. Change a life.
Every dollar funds free credentials and careers. Donations are tax-deductible.