Reddit’s WallStreetBets community, which was responsible for sparking the massive stock rise of video game retailer GameStop, is now looking to put their newfound money to good use: supporting gorilla conservation nonprofit.
The philanthropic movement was initiated by a member of the WallStreetBets subreddit, who said they donated the extra money they made from GameStop investments to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, a nonprofit working to protect two endangered gorilla species found in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda.
By giving money to the nonprofit, donors who want to become part of the organization’s mission can symbolically adopt a gorilla. When someone adopts one of the animals, they receive regular updates about the animal’s wellbeing as well as videos and photos.
The first donation to the nonprofit garnered an incredible amount of attention on the subreddit and has inspired other members to donate to the fund as well. According to a representative from the Fossey Fund, the organization received over $265,000 in donations over the last weekend.
For better or for worse, the GameStop phenomenon demonstrated the power of online organizing and we’re excited to see that participants used this same platform to support an honorable cause.
