The Hero Workshop, Culver City’s community space with a focus on immersive tabletop gaming, has received a grant from the John C. Hench Foundation to fund its 2026 program scholarships for children and families and relaunch its story-driven swordplay and athletics program.
The grant will allow The Hero Workshop to continue providing programming to children, no matter their financial situation. “It was John’s own passion, zest for life, his experience in the arts, and the desire to explore the human experience that pushed him to become the person who he grew to be,” said Samuel Deetjen, of the John C. Hench Foundation, “but he wouldn’t be that person without the sense of play and love…We see that same sense of play at The Hero Workshop, a love for one’s fellow player, a community that becomes like family.”
The Hero Workshop currently provides full or partial scholarship funding to just under 10% of the children participating in its monthly programming. The scholarship fund is replenished each year through an annual fundraiser; however, for the year 2026, funds were originally slated to run out in June. This grant will ensure scholarships are fully funded for the remainder of 2026, closing the six-month gap between need and available funds.
Founded in 2018, The Hero Workshop has become a unique “third space” for heroes of all ages. It prides itself on being a screen-free environment centered on creativity, community, storytelling, and belonging. The Hero Workshop hosts a public clubhouse stocked with board games and TTRPG books free for visitors to enjoy, a fantasy-inspired game shop, six private gaming rooms, camps, and special events, as well as offering after-school programming in 11 local schools.
“The Hero Workshop, at its heart, is trying to build community and togetherness through a creative outlet,” explained Deetjen, “Now more than ever, as we delve deeper and deeper into the age of technology, we need activities that bring us together.
“Allowing young people to explore without shame, make mistakes, and develop individual and group problem-solving skills in a place that fosters love and respect for one another is fundamental to their development. We don’t just want to fund the arts or arts organizations because it’s beautiful, but because it will help create a beautiful, more compassionate world.”
The Hero Workshop runs over 60 tabletop role-playing games(TTRPGs) a week for all ages. Each game is led by a professional Game Master(GM) who presents a scenario to a table of up to 7 players. The players take on the role of a hero of their own design as the GM guides them through scenarios and decisions. When players ask to do something with a chance of failure, dice are rolled. The results, plus each hero’s strengths and weaknesses, determine success or failure. Either way, the story continues, and players must contend with how the scene has changed due to their actions. Stories include colorful people, puzzles, and sometimes moral quandaries, forcing heroes to make crucial decisions that shape the world of their stories.
“At The Hero Workshop, we strive to be a place where any kid who likes nerdy stuff can find their people,” said Scott Stevens, Founder of The Hero Workshop. “TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons help kids practice teamwork, creative problem-solving, math, and empathy. Plus, they forge real-life friendships with kids from other schools that they may not meet otherwise.”
“I didn’t grow up with a lot of money,” Stevens continued, “so it is important to me that we never turn a kid away for lack of funds. Thanks to the support from the John C. Hench Foundation, this year we can make sure everyone gets the same chance to play regardless of their family’s financial reality.”
In addition to supporting scholarships, a portion of the grant will help relaunch The Hero Workshop’s swordplay classes. This immersive “story-based athletics” experience combines fantasy storytelling, movement, teamwork, and history-based sword-fighting styles. The story-based approach to outdoor activity is a unique way to engage kids who might not be comfortable in traditional team sports, and get them outside and moving. Steven’s long-term vision includes the development of a community league and expanded live-action events to build the program into a full alternative for traditional team sports.
Thanks to this generous grant from the John C. Hench Foundation, The Hero Workshop will be able to relaunch their Swordplay program in September and host a weekly Swordplay Class free of charge through December of 2026.
The John C. Hench Foundation connected with The Hero Workshop after hearing the organization’s feature on local NPR station KCRW. “We are honored that the John C. Hench Foundation saw value in what we’re building,” Stevens said. “This support helps us continue creating a place where kids, and our broader community, can unplug, be creative, find a game to join, and become part of the community. The fact that they connected with our mission after a four-minute radio segment is incredibly affirming”
Named for legendary Disney artist and designer John C. Hench, the Foundation supports organizations and programs that inspire creativity, imagination, innovation, and the arts in communities across the United States.
For more information about The Hero Workshop, how to get involved, and community events, visit www.heroworkshop.org.
Phebe Wickham/The Hero Workshop
