It’s a monster of an idea. The Los Angeles, California-based Born This Way Foundation, co-founded by Stefani “Lady Gaga” Germanotta and her mother Cynthia, is donating all funds raised between Dec. 19, 2017 and Jan. 19, 2018 to more than 30 grassroots organizations.
The Foundation, founded in 2012 and defined by the catchphrase “Empowering Youth – Inspiring Bravery” – is rewarding non-profit organizations the charity met on its Channel Kindness tour, which occurred concurrently with Lady Gaga’s recent spate of North American concerts to promote her latest album, Joanne.
Beginning with Gaga’s Aug. 1 stop in Vancouver, BC and continuing through the Dec. 18 finale in Inglewood, CA., the Born This Way Foundation’s Channel Kindness Tour included 34 shows where “Kindness Pop-Ups” appeared at each venue hosting 32 charities.
As executive director Maya Enista Smith mentioned on a Dec. 19 blog, when the Born This Way Foundation met numerous grass roots organizations on the tour, “at each stop, we promised to amplify, support and invest in their work. We’ve donated toiletries, clothing, and other essential items; we’ve organized conversations already mental wellness with students and parents; we’ve collected thousands of thank you messages for first responders; and we’ve spent dozens of hours visiting, learning about, and volunteering with these incredible grassroots organizations.”
Touched by the efforts of those they met, Born This Way has decided to experiment with the outright donations collected over the month, including these eight:
Aging UP: founded in Sacramento, CA, to empower foster-care youth to mature into healthy, happy, self-sufficient adults.
Bo’s Place: Houston-based, non-profit family bereavement center, providing group potluck meals and grief support in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre: Vancouver, BC-based charity hat provides basic needs and positive change for women and children in the city’s Downtown Eastside.
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver: Offers support services and programs for women and children affected by the justice system, including the provision of a Saturday Club that offers children 6 to 16 with incarcerated parents a safe, fun place to spend a weekend day.
Exploring the Arts: Co-founded by Tony Bennett and his wife Susan in 1999, this non-profit organization serves public high schools in New York City and Los Angeles. The afterschool apprenticeship program pays Grade 11 and 12 students as interns to one-on-one mentorship with pros at numerous arts organizations.
Kids’ Food Basket: For only $1 (US), 7500 West Michigan kids are given a nutritious Sack Supper five days a week in schools to help combat hunger.
Los Angeles LGBT Center: Established in Los Angeles in 1969, the LGBT Center provides programs, services and advocacy in Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education and Leadership and Advocacy.
Pridelines: Founded in 1982 in the wake of Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign, this South Florida organization rebranded itself in 1999 and dedicates itself to support, educate and empower the region’s LGBTQ community
For a complete charity lineup rundown, please visit here.
Read Samaritanmag's interview with Channel Kindness executive director Maya Enista Smith here.
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