Support the Mission

Powered by TN Educator Volunteers. Built for every Tennessee Student

The Tennessee Academic Esports League gives students across Tennessee a place to compete, learn, and find their pathway to college and career. Since 2020, every single person running it has been a volunteer.

This isn't just gaming. TAEL's Play to Pathways™ curriculum is embedded in CTE, Computer Science, and Tennessee State Standards, connecting what students love to workforce skills that Tennessee employers need: technology, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Students who join for the games leave with career pathways, scholarship connections, and a resume that started in a school esports room.

Running TAEL with a properly paid staff would cost over $200,000 a year. Instead, our admin team donates more than 6,700 hours of professional time every year, and our founder personally covers $5,000 a year in hard costs. We do it because we believe in the mission. But belief alone doesn't scale.

No school is ever turned away. Every dollar goes into the people and programs that serve Tennessee students.

Official 2026 Season

Tennessee Academic Esports League

Community Support

$100
Season Supporter
Puts a Tennessee student on a team

What Your Gift Funds

  • Level 1 NAECAD Coaching Certification for one Tennessee coach

Recognition

  • A public thank-you on TAEL social media

Help power a Tennessee student’s Play to Pathways™ journey, from gameplay to career

Donate $100
$250
Community Champion
Certifies a coach and equips their students

What Your Gift Funds

  • Coaching certification for three Tennessee coaches

Recognition

  • Everything above, plus your name on the TAEL website

Help power a Tennessee student’s Play to Pathways™ journey, from gameplay to career

Donate $250
$500
Program Partner
Puts a full competition setup in a school that has none

What Your Gift Funds

  • One complete console competition kit for a school that has none, ready for match day

Recognition

  • Everything above, plus recognition at CyberCon

Help power a Tennessee student’s Play to Pathways™ journey, from gameplay to career

Donate $500
$1,000
Team Builder
Pays a coach for the season they are already working

What Your Gift Funds

  • A full season stipend for one Tennessee esports coach

Recognition

  • Everything above, plus your name on season materials

Coaches build these programs on their own time. This is how we start changing that.

Donate $1,000

Leadership Gifts

$2,500
Regional Builder
Equips four schools and certifies their coaches

What Your Gift Funds

  • Complete competition kits for five Tennessee schools

Recognition

  • Everything above, plus named recognition at CyberCon

Four schools that had nothing start their first season because of you.

Donate $2,500
$5,000
League Sponsor
Supports the entire admin team and equips four more schools

What Your Gift Funds

  • Season stipends for TAEL’s full volunteer administrative team, plus competition kits for four schools

Recognition

  • Everything above, plus logo placement on the TAEL website and at CyberCon

The people who run every match day have never been paid. This is what changes that.

Donate $5,000
$15,000
Founding Partner
Equips thirty Tennessee schools in a single gift

What Your Gift Funds

  • Complete competition kits for thirty Tennessee schools

Recognition

  • Everything above, plus a named partnership on a TAEL statewide program, recognition in all season communications, and a direct conversation with our founder about where your gift goes

Founding Partners shape what TAEL becomes.

Start the conversation
Choose Your Amount
Every Dollar Plays
  • You set the amount. We put it to work.
  • Direct your gift where you want it: a school’s season, coach training, awards, scholarships, CyberCon, or league operations
  • Support the all-volunteer team working toward a fully staffed league
  • Recognition as a TAEL supporter, or stay anonymous if you prefer

Any amount powers a Tennessee student’s Play to Pathways™ journey, from gameplay to career

Choose Your Amount