MrBeast’s latest challenge: Who’ll drop six figures to visit his set?

New Delhi: Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, is raising the stakes for philanthropy—and access. The world’s most-subscribed YouTuber is offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes weekend on the set of Beast Games Season 2 to the first 40 individuals who each pledge $100,000 to his charity, Beast Philanthropy.

Scheduled for June 27–29 in North Carolina, the weekend experience includes studio tours, a private Q&A with the production team, and a visit to the charity’s food pantry. Each donor can bring along two guests. It’s a bold fundraising pivot—and one that fuses Donaldson’s content empire with his philanthropic ambitions like never before.

“I have some big charity projects I want to fund, so I think it's a win/win,” Donaldson wrote on X, announcing the offer.

But while the MrBeast brand regularly mobilizes a massive online following—400 million YouTube subscribers and counting—the six-figure price tag filters for a very specific slice of his fan base. The move raises an inevitable question: is this generosity for the masses, or access for the elite? 

Philanthropy, at scale—and scrutiny

Donaldson has long maintained that revenue from his Beast Philanthropy YouTube channel sustains his charitable work. His campaigns have tackled everything from heart disease treatment in Nigeria to cataract surgeries for 1,000 people. He’s funded animal protection in Kenya and installed water wells across multiple African countries.

That scale of giving has drawn global attention—and criticism. While fans praise his direct, often unconventional approach to giving, critics accuse him of commodifying poverty for engagement. Donaldson, who has addressed these allegations before, recently said he believes he receives more hate for doing good. “I just find videos where I help people more fun than videos where I don't,” he said in a candid 2023 YouTube interview.

This latest initiative reflects both a doubling down on philanthropy and a strategic evolution. Instead of relying solely on ad revenue and personal funds, Donaldson is testing a more traditional route: tapping ultra-high-net-worth individuals, with a twist only MrBeast could deliver—VIP access to a high-octane reality set. 

Show, sell, repeat

The timing is no coincidence. Amazon Prime Video recently renewed Beast Games for two additional seasons after its inaugural run broke records with 50 million views in 25 days. The first season's grand prize—$5 million—was the largest in reality competition history.

 The show's renewal cements Donaldson’s crossover into mainstream entertainment, but Monday’s announcement suggests his long-term focus still leans toward impact over accolades.

That said, some recent fan experiences have fallen flat. An April weekend promoted as “immersive” and “unforgettable” reportedly underdelivered, leading to mixed reviews. Whether this upcoming $100,000 event will deliver on its promises—or risk further backlash—remains to be seen.

But in classic MrBeast fashion, the stakes are high, the cameras will likely be rolling, and the goal—at least on paper—remains noble.

One viral empire. Forty $100K donations. And one weekend to prove that doing good still sells.