Born This Way Foundation
{{Short description|American non-profit organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Born This Way Foundation
| logo = Born This Way Foundation logo (2020).svg
| logo_alt = Born This Way Foundation's Logo
| founded_date = {{start date and age|2011}}
| founders = {{ubl|Lady Gaga|Cynthia Germanotta}}
| type = NGO
| location = Massachusetts, U.S.
| coordinates =
| origins =
| key_people =
| area_served =
| product =
| focus =
| revenue_year = 2015
| expenses_year = 2015
| homepage = {{URL|BornThisWay.Foundation}}
}}
Born This Way Foundation (sometimes abbreviated as BTWF) is a non-profit organization founded in 2012 by American artist and activist Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta.{{Cite web|last=Swearer|first=Susan|date=2015-02-03|title=Born This Way Foundation: Reaching Young People Directly|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/born-this-way-foundation-reaching-young-people-directly_b_6606762|access-date=2020-06-10|website=HuffPost|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Boyle|first=Kelli|title=Lady Gaga's Mom Wants You To Prioritize Your Mental Health & Here's How — EXCLUSIVE|url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/cynthia-germanotta-lady-gagas-born-this-way-foundation-prioritizes-mental-health-exclusive-9088825|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Elite Daily|date=16 May 2018 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Cynthia Germanotta, President of Born This Way Foundation, To Receive Champion Award Presented By The University of Miami Health System During World OutGames Miami|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/cynthia_germanotta_president_of_born_this_way_foundation_to_receive_champion_award_presented_by_the_university_of_miami_health_system_during_world_outgames_miami/prweb14300335.htm|access-date=2020-06-10|website=PRWeb}}{{Citation|title=Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein {{!}} Youth & Mental Wellness: Lady Gaga Born This Way Foundation {{!}} Season 5 {{!}} Episode 1|url=https://www.pbs.org/video/youth-mental-wellness-lady-gaga-born-this-way-foundation-cobfnf/|language=en|access-date=2020-06-10}} Named after the singer's 2011 album Born This Way, and the song from the album with the same name, the foundation is committed to supporting the wellness of young people and working with them to "make the world kinder and braver".
The foundation prioritizes the mental health and wellness of young people by working to promote kindness and open and honest conversations about mental health, validating the emotions of young people, and eradicating the stigma around mental health.
Furthermore, the foundation works to "connect, engage, and inspire young people — on the road, in their communities, and online". The foundation's programs focus on modeling healthy conversations about mental wellness, connecting youth with resources and services, and fostering communities that prioritize mental health.
Background
In the documentary "Inside the Outside",{{Cite web|last=Peck|first=Jamie|title=Watch 'Lady Gaga: Inside The Outside' For The Gaga's Most Intimate Interview Ever|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2298178/lady-gaga-inside-the-outside-mtv-documentary-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617131039/http://www.mtv.com/news/2298178/lady-gaga-inside-the-outside-mtv-documentary-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2016|access-date=2020-06-12|website=MTV News|language=en}} Lady Gaga described how she has been bullied herself during her adolescence, being thrown in a trash can while classmates looked on. The singer often shares her personal experiences with the public, and has always hoped to “establish a standard of Bravery and Kindness, as well as a community worldwide that protects and nurtures others in the face of bullying and abandonment. She and her mother started BTWF to work with young people and provide the skills and opportunities they need to build a kinder and braver world.{{Cite news|last=Hughes|first=Sarah Anne|date=2011-11-03|title=Lady Gaga creates Born This Way Foundation to empower youth|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/lady-gaga-creates-born-this-way-foundation-to-empower-youth/2011/11/03/gIQAUPEKiM_blog.html|access-date=2020-06-12|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en-US}}
When Lady Gaga launched the foundation with her mother in 2012, she stated to the Washington Post, “Together we hope to establish a standard of Bravery and Kindness, as well as a community worldwide that protects and nurtures others…"
In a PBS interview,{{Citation|title=Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein {{!}} Youth & Mental Wellness: Lady Gaga Born This Way Foundation {{!}} Season 5 {{!}} Episode 1|url=https://www.pbs.org/video/youth-mental-wellness-lady-gaga-born-this-way-foundation-cobfnf/|language=en|access-date=2020-06-12}} Cynthia Germanotta stated that Lady Gaga was bullied at an early age and subsequently developed anxiety and depression, struggling with mental illness throughout college. As her career took off, she talked openly about her mental health challenges and the importance of kindness.
In 2016, Lady Gaga discussed the importance of kindness and compassion at the 84th Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis. She joined the 14th Dalai Lama at the event to talk about building "compassionate cities" around the country. During her speech, Gaga told city representatives, "Kindness is a free currency from a well that will never dry up," and, "The most efficient way for you to act with young people is to be a calming force.{{Cite web|last=Stephens|first=Britt|date=2016-06-27|title=Lady Gaga Meets the Dalai Lama and Spreads Her Message of "Kindness and Compassion" to US Mayors|url=https://www.popsugar.com/node/41778649|access-date=2020-06-12|website=POPSUGAR Celebrity|language=en-US}}"
Cynthia Germanotta told PBS in 2018 that the foundation was “built out of a lifelong passion to help young people. Our mission has always been to build a kinder and braver world … By creating safe communities for young people and offering skills and opportunities to empower them and inspire them...” In doing so, the foundation focuses on promoting kindness, creating positive environments, and encouraging mental wellness among youth.
Executive Director Maya Enista Smith additionally stated that the foundation exists “to help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and equip young people to have those conversations that lead to that destigmatization.{{Cite web|date=September 6, 2018|title=Learning About Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation|website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZEmCVz8PiI}}”
In October 2018, Lady Gaga was named as one of Elle's Women in Hollywood honorees. During her acceptance speech, she encouraged everyone to “work together to beckon the world towards kindness” and opened up about the PTSD she developed after she was assaulted at age 19. She additionally advocated for stronger mental health resources, stating she wanted to see mental health become a “global priority”.
“It is my personal dream that there would be a mental health expert teacher or therapist in every school in this nation and hopefully, one day, around the world,” Lady Gaga said. “Let’s lift our voices. I know we are, but let’s get louder. And not just as women. But as humans.”{{Cite web|date=2018-10-16|title=Lady Gaga Opens Up About Sexual Assault and Mental Health in Vulnerable ELLE Women in Hollywood Acceptance Speech|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a23813974/lady-gaga-opens-up-about-sexual-assault-and-mental-health-elle-women-in-hollywood-acceptance-speech/|access-date=2020-06-12|website=ELLE|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Lady Gaga Moved to Tears During Emotional Speech on Sexual Assault, Mental Illness|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/lady-gaga-breaks-down-speech-sexual-assault-mental-illness-1152706|access-date=2020-06-12|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=16 October 2018 |language=en}}
In November 2018, Lady Gaga accepted the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Artists Inspiration Award, and in a 25-minute speech shared her own mental health struggles,{{Cite web|last=Malkin|first=Marc|date=2018-11-09|title=Lady Gaga Opens Up About Her 'Mental Health Crisis'|url=https://variety.com/2018/scene/news/lady-gaga-mental-health-struggles-1203023093/|access-date=2020-06-12|website=Variety|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Lady Gaga Calls for Mental Health Care Support for SAG-AFTRA Artists|url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/lady-gaga-mental-health-sag-aftra/|access-date=2020-06-12|website=W Magazine {{!}} Women's Fashion & Celebrity News|date=9 November 2018 |language=en-US}} advocated for stronger mental health resources in the industry by requesting SAG-AFTRA partner with the foundation, and encouraged people to share their mental health stories.
“When I speak about mental health, even or especially when I’m speaking about mine, it is often met with quietness, or maybe a somber line of fans waiting outside to whisper to me in the shadows about their darkest secrets,” she said in her acceptance speech. “We need to bring mental health into the light. We need to share our stories so that global mental health no longer resides and festers in the darkness.{{Cite web|title=Lady Gaga Talks Suicide and Masochistic Behavior at SAG-AFTRA Foundation Gala|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/lady-gaga-talks-suicide-masochistic-behavior-at-sag-aftra-gala-1159825|access-date=2020-06-12|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=9 November 2018 |language=en}}”
She additionally encouraged everyone to “live in a culture of kindness through our individual acts and take back what determines our future.”
History
File:Lady Gaga autograph.svgThe organization was launched{{Cite news|last=Hughes|first=Sarah Anne|date=2011-11-03|title=Lady Gaga creates Born This Way Foundation to empower youth|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/lady-gaga-creates-born-this-way-foundation-to-empower-youth/2011/11/03/gIQAUPEKiM_blog.html|access-date=2020-06-15|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Lady Gaga Launches Born This Way Foundation|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/03/lady-gaga-launches-born-this-way-foundation-2|access-date=2020-06-15|website=ABC News|language=en}} on February 29, 2012, by artist Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, who said, "challenge meanness and cruelty by inspiring young people to create a support system in their respective communities." Media proprietor Oprah Winfrey,{{Cite magazine|date=2012-02-14|title=Oprah Teams Up With Lady Gaga for Born This Way Foundation Launch|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/506141/oprah-teams-up-with-lady-gaga-for-born-this-way-foundation-launch|access-date=2020-06-15|magazine=Billboard}} writer Deepak Chopra, and United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius spoke at the inauguration. The foundation's original funding included $1.2 million from Lady Gaga, $500,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and $850,000 from retailer Barneys New York.
BTWF was the beneficiary of Barneys New York's 2011 holiday campaign which also featured "Lady Gaga’s Workshop". In May 2012, Viacom announced it would be the foundation's lead media partner for the development of events, programming and "opportunities that empower young people to build a braver, kinder world." In August 2012, Lady Gaga was named by American business magazine Forbes as fourteenth on their "World's 100 Most Powerful Women" list due in part to her BTWF work.
In 2018, Born This Way Foundation was the recipient of Girls Inc.’s Champion For Girls Award and the Children Mending Heart’s “Global Changemakers” Award. That same year, co-founder of the foundation Cynthia Germanotta was invited to speak at the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the organization to discuss mental health and launch a new “United for Global Mental Health” initiative.{{Cite magazine|date=2018-09-26|title=Lady Gaga's Mom Cynthia Germanotta Addresses UN, Stresses the Importance of Mental Health Resources|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8477134/lady-gaga-mom-cynthia-germanotta-speaks-at-unga|access-date=2020-06-15|magazine=Billboard}}
=Controversy=
In March 2014, gossip blogger Roger Friedman of Showbiz411, and formerly of Fox News, criticized the foundation's spending reflected in its federal tax reports. The reports noted spending of $348,000 on its Born Brave bus tour; approximately $1.5 million on fees related to web and social media, publicity, and legalities, and only $5,000 in grants to individuals and other organizations. "It’s unclear that anyone was really helped by the Born This Way foundation other than lawyers, consultants, publicists and travel agents," Friedman wrote.
"We do the work," Lady Gaga wrote in response.{{Cite news|last=Michaels|first=Sean|date=2014-03-14|title=Lady Gaga denies claims regarding Born This Way Foundation funds|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/14/lady-gaga-denies-born-this-way-foundation-funds|access-date=2020-06-15|issn=0261-3077}} "We do not raise money and allocate the funds to other charities for them to do the work.”{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/03/13/lady-gaga-charity-controversy/|title=Lady Gaga's mom defends charges that Born This Way charity spent millions on overhead and donated only $5,000|website=EW.com}} “A clear understanding of the differences between a grant-making organization and one that carries out its work directly would have made this a non-story," Cynthia Germanotta added in an op-ed in the Huffington Post "We are not a grant-maker that funds the work of other charities, and were never intended to be ... [But] we are having a profound impact in just a very short period of time.”{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/lady-gaga-102-1246546|title=Lady Gaga's mother addresses reports that her daughter's foundation gives tiny amount to charity | NME|website=NME |date=March 13, 2014}}
Charity Navigator in 2018 gave the charity a score of 75 out of 100, the same as its passing score for Finance and Accountability.{{Cite web|url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/452752227|title=Born This Way Foundation | Rating by Charity Navigator|website=www.charitynavigator.org}}
Programming and campaigns
= Dom Pérignon =
Gaga collaborated with Champagne house Dom Pérignon to release a limited edition of bottles along with a sculpture designed by her. The campaign, released on April 6, 2021, was shot by Nick Knight and visualized by Nicola Formichetti, and is described as a "celebration of pushing the boundaries of creation, constant reinvention, and passionate dedication."{{cite magazine|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|title=Lady Gaga & Dom Pérignon to Launch Limited Edition Bottles|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/lifestyle/9549109/lady-gaga-dom-perignon-limited-edition-bottle|access-date=April 6, 2021|magazine=Billboard|date=March 31, 2021}} The 110 exclusive pieces will be sold at private sales, and the profits will benefit the foundation.{{cite magazine|last=Newbold|first=Alice|title=Lady Gaga & Dom Pérignon Are Behind The Most Exquisite Collaboration Of 2021|url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/lady-gaga-dom-perignon|access-date=April 8, 2021|magazine=Vogue|date=April 6, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406225204/https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/lady-gaga-dom-perignon|archivedate=April 6, 2021|url-status=live}}
= Channel Kindness =
On September 15, 2016, Born This Way Foundation launched a new program called Channel Kindness,{{Cite news|title=Born This Way Foundation to launch Channel Kindness in honor of Lady Gaga's 31st birthday, catch a sneak peek featuring 'Dear Evan Hansen' cast members|language=en-US|work=AXS|url=https://www.axs.com/born-this-way-foundation-to-launch-channel-kindness-in-honor-of-lady-g-116593|access-date=2020-06-15}} which is designed “to give youth a voice in a media landscape that too often ignores or misrepresents young people.” In creating this program, Born This Way Foundation recognized the absence of positive stories{{Cite web|last=Germanotta|first=Cynthia|date=2016-09-16|title=We Have Enough Bad News. It's Time To Channel Kindness.|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/we-have-enough-bad-news-i_b_12030826|access-date=2020-06-15|website=HuffPost|language=en}} in today's media. Channel Kindness is designed to fill that void and provide individuals across the globe with some much-needed optimism and encouragement.
From 2017–2018, the program recruited and trained 100 youth reporters ages 15–24 from across the United States to recognize and broadcast acts of kindness they saw in their everyday lives and communities. Their stories are published on ChannelKindness.org and are spread across the program's social media channels.
In 2018, BTWF announced it would expand Channel Kindness, which is now open to anyone from across the U.S. and, for the first time, around the world to share their stories on the platform.{{Cite web|last=AyshaM|date=2020-04-11|title=Share Your Story: Channel Kindness Submission Guidelines|url=https://www.channelkindness.org/calling-all-storytellers/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Channel Kindness|language=en-US}} In 2021, they shared [https://www.channelkindness.org/meet-the-love-club/ a story from the Philippines about Kyla Estoya], founder of The Love Club and [https://thelocalcreatives.com/ The Local Creatives].
== #MultiplyYourGood ==
In honor of World Kindness Day in 2018, Born This Way Foundation announced the launch of the #MultiplyYourGood Channel Kindness Challenge.{{Cite magazine|date=2018-11-13|title=Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation Launches #MultiplyYourGood Challenge|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8484676/lady-gaga-born-this-way-foundation-multiplyyourgood-challenge|access-date=2020-06-15|magazine=Billboard}} With support from Zappos, the campaign called on individuals to celebrate their power to make a difference by volunteering or donating to a nonprofit in their community. For every act of good performed during the challenge, BTWF pledged to “multiply” it by performing an act of good for one of the organization's nonprofit partners.{{Cite web|last=Brandi Neal|title=Here's How To Take The Born This Way Foundation's #MultiplyYourGood Challenge To Give Back This Holiday Season|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/born-this-way-foundations-multiply-your-good-challenge-wants-you-to-give-back-during-the-holidays-13190662|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Bustle|date=23 November 2018 |language=en}}
The Foundation's diverse network of partners, including SoulCycle, which invited riders to take part, and Starbucks, which hosted community events on World Kindness Day 2018 in ten stores nationwide, helped amplify the campaign. The in-store activations invited guests to participate in an activity that met the needs of a local nonprofits, such as collecting donated items or writing holiday messages for homeless youth.
== #Someone2Turn2 ==
Born This Way Foundation and United for Global Mental Health announced the launch of the #Someone2Turn2 Channel Kindness Challenge{{Cite web|last=Borge|first=Jonathan|date=2018-10-12|title=Lady Gaga's Mom On How Her Family Battles Mental Health Issues|url=https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/a23739868/lady-gaga-mom-born-this-way-foundation/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Oprah Magazine|language=en-US}} to foster healthy conversations about mental wellness in honor of World Mental Health Day on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. Inspired by the work of the Friendship Bench initiative, the #Someone2Turn2 challenged the public to have a real, honest, and open discussion about mental health with the person they turn to when they need support and then share who their #Someone2Turn2 is on social media.{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Maya Enista|title=5 ways to talk about mental health that'll leave you feeling better|url=https://mashable.com/article/how-to-talk-about-mental-health/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Mashable|date=10 October 2018 |language=en}}
= #BeKind21 =
= #BeKindBeThere =
= Teen Mental Health First Aid =
In 2019, Born This Way Foundation partnered with the National Council for Behavioral Health to bring teen Mental Health First Aid (teenMHFA) training to the United States.{{Cite web|date=2019-06-06|title=Teens|url=https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/population-focused-modules/teens/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Mental Health First Aid|language=en-US}} teenMHFA is an in-person training designed for high school students in grades 10 to 12 “to learn about mental illnesses, including how to identify and respond to a developing mental health or substance use problem among their peers.{{Cite magazine|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|date=2019-06-12|title=Lady Gaga Announces Expansion of Teen Mental Health Program|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lady-gaga-born-this-way-foundation-teen-mental-health-first-aid-847303/|access-date=2020-06-15|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}” The program herein is built upon the idea that, during mental health crises, teens often first turn to each other for support and guidance, rather than to structural resources.{{Cite web|title=Teen Mental Health First Aid: Inside the Lady Gaga-backed program for high school students|url=https://www.today.com/health/mental-health-first-aid-inside-lady-gaga-backed-program-teens-t154454|access-date=2020-06-15|website=TODAY.com|date=20 May 2019 |language=en}} Addressing this chain of dialogue, students learn a five-step action plan to help their friends who may be facing a mental health problem or crisis, such as suicide, and how to find and involve a responsible and trusted adult.
Starting with a pilot set of eight schools across the nation, the program expanded to an additional 20 primary institutions in the fall of 2019.{{Cite web|title=Lady Gaga Expands Teen Mental Health Program, Hopes to Grow to Include 'Every School in This Country'|url=https://www.newsweek.com/lady-gaga-expands-teen-mental-health-program-hopes-grow-include-every-school-this-country-1444030|access-date=15 June 2020|website=NewsWeek.com|date=14 June 2019 }} In June 2019, Born This Way Foundation convened a group of teens trained through teenMHFA in Las Vegas to reflect on the program.{{Cite web|title=Lady Gaga + Students on teen Mental Health First Aid!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nXw1I-F-38|access-date=15 June 2020|website=YouTube| date=11 June 2019 }} During her June 6 show of her ENIGMA residency, Lady Gaga brought the students onstage to discuss the mental wellness program{{Cite web|title=Two Kickapoo High teens share Las Vegas stage with Lady Gaga. Here's why.|url=https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/education/2019/06/27/lady-gaga-concert-las-vegas-born-this-way-foundation-kickapoo-high-students/1565182001/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Springfield News-Leader|language=en}} with attendees.{{Cite web|date=7 June 2019|title=Lady Gaga Million Reasons Enigma|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOH2Urw72lk|website=YouTube}}
Starting in the spring of 2020, 40 additional schools{{Cite web|date=2019-11-26|title=Teaching students mental health first aid|url=https://newschannel20.com/news/local/teaching-students-mental-health-first-aid|access-date=2020-06-15|website=WICS}} were chosen to participate in the second round of Teen Mental Health First Aid training programs. This expansion brings the total number of schools participating to more than 75 schools nationwide.{{cn|date=August 2022}}
= Emotion Revolution Summit at Yale University =
On October 24, 2015, Born This Way Foundation and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence{{Cite web|title=Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence|url=https://www.ycei.org/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence|language=en-US}} hosted the Emotion Revolution Summit{{Cite web|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|title=Gaga, Yale team up for Emotion Revolution|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/04/09/lady-gaga-yale-emotion-revolution/25514969/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}} to raise awareness of how much emotions play into young people's decision-making and wellness. The event consisted of round-table discussions, workshops, and speeches from a variety of educators and advocates, including Lady Gaga herself. Lady Gaga asked the over 200 young people at the conference to focus on and care for their own mental and emotional health. She invited them to join a movement addressing the importance of emotions on social media using the hashtag #IAmNotJust.
Born This Way Foundation and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence also collected data from these students and found that when students were asked how they currently feel in school, 75% of the responses were negative.
= "What does bravery mean to you?" Campaign =
From March 28 to April 11, 2012, the Born This Way Foundation ran a poster campaign{{Cite web|date=2012-03-30|title=Lady Gaga Launches Charity Poster Contest|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/news/8124-lady-gaga-launches-charity-poster-contest|access-date=2020-06-15|website=Look to the Stars|language=en}} to inspire bravery and encouraged supporters to submit images that answer the question, "What does bravery mean to you?" with the 10 semi finalists selected by Lady Gaga and her mother, and leading to a prize for the winner(s), selected by fans.
Community Activations
= Kindness in Community Fund =
In 2022, in coordination with Lady Gaga's The Chromatica Ball summer stadium tour, Born This Way Foundation awarded $1 million to 22 organizations that support youth mental health and wellness in cities that hosted her concerts. In Boston, Breaktime, a nonprofit that helps young adults experiencing homelessness, and BAGLY, a LGBTQ+ rights advocacy organization, both received $50,000 grants.{{cite news |last1=Raman |first1=Meera |title=Two Boston nonprofits are awarded grants from Lady Gaga to help youth Email Share |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2022/08/12/lady-gaga-boston-born-this-way-boston-grants.html |access-date=12 May 2023 |agency=Boston Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals |date=12 August 2022}} The Kindness in Community Fund is a continuation of the philanthropy work from the Channel Kindness Tour.
= The Channel Kindness Tour =
From August 1, 2017, through December 18, 2017, Born This Way Foundation accompanied Lady Gaga on her Joanne World Tour, visiting over 30 cities across the US and Canada. The Channel Kindness Tour included in venues activations, which allowed local nonprofits to connect directly with concert goes; communities conversations on mental health and services events; and Channel Kindness Awards which recognized eight youth across the country.{{Cite web|url=https://artistwaves.com/how-lady-gagas-born-this-way-foundation-is-spreading-kindness-on-the-joanne-tour/|title=How Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation is Spreading Kindness on the Joanne Tour|date=August 10, 2017}}
= Share Kindness =
In 2016, the Foundation joined forces with Today and NBC with the goal to inspire 1 million acts of kindness before the end of the year. With the hashtag #ShareKindness, people were encouraged to celebrate empathy and generosity by committing an act of kindness for someone else in their schools, homes, businesses, and communities.
To help kick off #ShareKindness, Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, visited the Ali Forney Center, a shelter for homeless LGBTQ+ youth in Harlem in New York City.
Lady Gaga surprised the youth with gifts, encouraging messages, and led a meditation session alongside her mother. She encouraged the group with her mantra, “You are brave. You are courageous,” and concluded with a strong statement of gratitude to each of the youth: “Thank you for being alive.”
Lady Gaga also emphasized the value of kindness: “Kindness to me is an action of love or a showing of love to someone else and I also believe that kindness is the cure to violence and hatred around the world."{{Cite news|url=https://foodbanksj.org/2016/12/05/lady-gagas-born-way-foundation-launches-sharekindness-experience-partnership-today/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615211452/https://foodbanksj.org/2016/12/05/lady-gagas-born-way-foundation-launches-sharekindness-experience-partnership-today/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 15, 2020|title=Lady Gaga's Born this Way Foundation Launches the #ShareKindness Experience in Partnership with Today!|date=December 5, 2016|website=Food Bank of South Jersey}}
= Born Brave Bus =
The Foundation announced in May 2012 that the Born Brave Bus would follow Lady Gaga on tour as an initiative to inspire bravery, empower the youth, and connect young people to resources in their community. In June 2012, "Born Brave" communities and school groups, dedicated to making a positive change where they live. Born Brave Nation, a name chosen by Born This Way Foundation supporters, requested founding members in July 2012, but the bus had not yet launched. The Foundation partnered with community organizations like Campus Pride, GLSEN, the National Association of School Psychologists and Youth Service America to connect young people to the resources in their communities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/press-releases/lady-gagas-born-brave-bus-tour-back-on-the-road/|title=Lady Gaga's Born Brave Bus Tour Back on the Road|website=National Council|date=11 June 2019 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1700197/lady-gaga-born-brave-bus-tour-kickoff/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010134849/http://www.mtv.com/news/1700197/lady-gaga-born-brave-bus-tour-kickoff/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 10, 2015|title=Lady Gaga Unveils Born Brave Bus At Kickoff Of U.S. Tour|first=James|last=Montgomery|website=MTV News}}
Partnerships
= Starbucks/Cups of Kindness =
In 2017, the Foundation and Starbucks teamed up to introduce the Starbucks Cups of Kindness collection: four special drinks, the Matcha Lemonade, Violet Drink, Pink Drink, and Ombré Pink Drink. For each cup of kindness beverage that was purchased between June 13 and June 19, Starbucks donated $0.25 to Born This Way Foundation and the Channel Kindness project.{{Cite web|url=https://www.starbucks.com/home/|title=Starbucks Coffee Company|website=www.starbucks.com}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
On June 3, 2019, Starbucks announced it was partnering with Born This Way Foundation for Pride Month in order to fundraise for the Foundation and offer support to grassroots LGBTQ+ organizations across the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/starbucks-2019-pride-partnership-with-the-born-this-way-foundation-is-everything-17947070|title=Starbucks Is Doing Something Amazing With Lady Gaga's Foundation For Pride Month|website=Elite Daily|date=4 June 2019 }} For the month of June, Starbucks Foundation matched any donations that were made to Born This Way Foundation up to $250,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/06/234419/starbucks-lady-gaga-born-this-way-foundation|title=Lady Gaga's Foundation & Starbucks Are Raising Money To Help LGBTQ+ Youth|first=Michelle Santiago|last=Cortés|website=www.refinery29.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://bornthisway.foundation/starbucks/|title=Born This Way Foundation and Starbucks|website=bornthisway.foundation}}
= United For Global Mental Health =
In October 2018, the Foundation helped launch United for Global Mental Health at “Time to Act on Global Mental Health: Building Momentum on Mental Health in the SDG Era,” an event organized by United for Global Mental Health during the United National General Assembly.{{Cite web|url=https://unitedgmh.org/|title=Home Page | United for Global Mental Health|website=unitedgmh.org}} The Foundation's Co-Founder and President Cynthia Germanotta shared her personal story and helped moderate panels to help bring the topic of mental health at the forefront of the world stage.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8477134/lady-gaga-mom-cynthia-germanotta-speaks-at-unga|title=Lady Gaga's Mom Cynthia Germanotta Addresses UN, Stresses the Importance of Mental Health Resources|magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web|url=http://webtv.un.org/news-features/watch/time-to-act-on-global-mental-health-building-momentum-on-mental-health-in-the-sdg-era/5840588462001/?term=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030165319/http://webtv.un.org/news-features/watch/time-to-act-on-global-mental-health-building-momentum-on-mental-health-in-the-sdg-era/5840588462001/?term=|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2019|title=Time to Act on Global Mental Health - Building Momentum on Mental Health in the SDG Era|website=United Nations Web TV|date=9 June 2023}}
= DonorsChoose.org =
Born This Way Foundation partners with DonorsChoose to fund mental health projects at schools across the country. The partnership has matched donations from 1,900 donors to fund these projects. Through this partnership, BTWF and DonorsChoose have funded 697 projects at 416 different schools. These projects have worked to help 75,981 students and 507 teachers. The projects range from an after-school kindness club to a drawing space for students, and much more.{{Cite web|url=https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom-support/born-this-way-foundation-supporting-men/21029333/|title=Born This Way Foundation: Supporting Mental + Emotional Wellness|website=DonorsChoose}}
= The National Council on Behavioral Health - Mental Health First Aid =
In August 2017, Born This Way Foundation partnered with the National Council for Behavioral Health to train 150,000 people in Mental Health First Aid. Training sessions were held along the stops for Lady Gaga's Joanne world tour, as part of BTWF's Channel Kindness Tour. Mental Health First Aid trains individuals to recognize and respond to people experiencing mental health or substance abuse crises.{{Cite web|date=2017-08-10|title=National Council for Behavioral Health and Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation Team Up to Train 150,000 Mental Health First Aiders|url=https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/external/2017/08/national-council-born-this-way-partnership/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Mental Health First Aid|language=en-US}}
Born This Way Foundation continues to work with Mental Health First Aid to encourage supporters to get trained in the program.{{Cite web|last=Brandi Neal|title=Lady Gaga's Mom Is Using #BeKindBeTheDifference To Break Stigma Around Mental Health|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/cynthia-germanotta-lady-gagas-mom-wants-mental-health-first-aid-to-be-a-priority-with-the-be-kind-be-the-difference-campaign-9062386|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Bustle|date=12 May 2018 |language=en}}
= Staples =
Staples and Born This Way Foundation teamed up to create the Staples for Students Digital Kindness Tree to encourage people nationwide to promote kindness in schools and celebrate everyday acts of kindness. Consumers helped it grow by visiting www.StaplesKindnessTree.com or by Tweeting with hashtag #GrowKindness. On the website and Twitter, users had the opportunity to describe an act of kindness that they recently performed, witnessed or pledge to do. Each time an act of kindness was reported, a “leaf” was added to the tree, which continued to grow throughout the summer with each kind act reported.{{Cite web|title=Staples and Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation Promote a Positive Classroom Experience at Staples for Students Kindness Summit|url=https://news.staples.com/media-information/press-releases/press-release-details/2017/Staples-and-Lady-Gagas-Born-This-Way-Foundation-Promote-a-Positive-Classroom-Experience-at-Staples-for-Students-Kindness-Summit/default.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617164437/https://news.staples.com/media-information/press-releases/press-release-details/2017/Staples-and-Lady-Gagas-Born-This-Way-Foundation-Promote-a-Positive-Classroom-Experience-at-Staples-for-Students-Kindness-Summit/default.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2020|access-date=2020-06-17|website=news.staples.com|language=en-US}}
= Office Depot =
In 2012, Lady Gaga expressed an interest in being part of the "natural fabric of schooling." In July 2012, BTWF partnered with the supplier of office products Office Depot to create a range of limited edition back-to-school products including: "empowerment gift cards" containing motivational messages, and "bravery bracelets." Office Depot agreed to donate 25% of the sale value for each item sold and guaranteed US$1 million donation in 2012 to the Foundation.{{Cite web|date=2012-07-17|title=Office Depot and Born This Way Foundation Connect with the Youth Market at Highly Anticipated Teen Award Show|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120717005935/en/Office-Depot-Born-Foundation-Connect-Youth-Market|access-date=2020-06-17|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en}} This led the Florida Family Association, what New York Times noted was a “one-man Christian fundamentalist organization,” to accuse Office Depot of influencing teenagers to reject heterosexuality. In support of the efforts by Office Depot and Born This Way Foundation, public service announcement videos that highlighted the mission of the initiative were created by model and actor Patrick Schwarzenegger, and by pop singer Greyson Chance to be aired on Facebook, YouTube, and other outlets.{{Citation|title=Patrick Schwarzenegger joins Born This Way Foundation and Office Depot!| date=30 August 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzSF-jYzOwg|language=en|access-date=2020-06-17}}
Research
The Foundation has worked with various partners to conduct and amplify research focused on youth wellness and empowerment. Below is a list of research commissioned or supported by Born This Way Foundation.
=2019=
==Youth Mental Health in America==
In early 2019, the Foundation worked with the Benenson Strategy Group to survey more than 2,000 young people between the ages of 13 and 24 to explore how young people perceive mental health, their level of access to mental health resources, and what those resources look like.{{Cite news|title=Youth Mental Health in America: Understanding Resource Availability and Preferences - Born This Way Foundation|language=en-US|work=Born This Way Foundation|url=https://bornthisway.foundation/research/1-in-3-young-people-say-they-lack-reliable-access-to-mental-wellness-resources/|access-date=2020-06-17}}{{Cite web|title=2019 California Youth Mental Health Wellness Survey Results Press Release {{!}} Mental Health Services|url=https://www.mhsoac.ca.gov/2019-california-youth-mental-health-wellness-survey-results-press-release|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601015848/https://mhsoac.ca.gov/2019-california-youth-mental-health-wellness-survey-results-press-release|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 1, 2019|access-date=2020-06-17|website=www.mhsoac.ca.gov}}
Key findings of the survey revealed that young people care about their mental health but lack access to crucial resources to support themselves.{{Cite web |author=Born This Way Foundation|date=2019-03-21|title=Youth Mental Health in America: Understanding Resource Availability a…|url=https://www.slideshare.net/btwfoundation/youth-mental-health-in-america-understanding-resource-availability-and-preferences-137480866?ref=https://bornthisway.foundation/research/1-in-3-young-people-say-they-lack-reliable-access-to-mental-wellness-resources/}} Young people shared they are unaware of where to go and the cost associated with finding mental health resources. The data showed that youth are interested in using a variety of resources to support their mental health. The survey showed that young people need more education on existing mental health resources and expanded access to these resources.{{Cite web|date=2019-03-12|title=Nine in 10 young people in the US are 'worried about their mental health'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/mental-health-us-national-survey-lady-gaga-born-this-way-foundation-a8819331.html|access-date=2020-06-17|website=The Independent|language=en}}
= 2018 =
== Mental Health Online Diaries: Understanding Child-Parent/Guardian Relationships ==
In early 2018, BTWF commissioned a study from the Benenson Strategy Group to conduct a series of online ethnographic diary interviews between 20 young people aged 13–24 and their parents/guardians to learn more about the family dynamics of mental health and wellness.{{Cite news|title=Mental Health Online Diaries: Understanding Child-Parent/Guardian Relationships - Born This Way Foundation|language=en-US|work=Born This Way Foundation|url=https://bornthisway.foundation/research/hard-conversations-dont-happen-when-young-people-fear-being-judged/|access-date=2020-06-17}}
The questions allowed researchers to further understand what makes for supportive environments and relationships and the ways in which young people and their parents/guardians feel connected or disconnected to their families and broader support network.{{Cite web |author=Born This Way Foundation|date=2018-08-30|title=Mental Health Online Diaries: Understanding Child-Parent/Guardian Rel…|url=https://www.slideshare.net/btwfoundation/mental-health-online-diaries-understanding-childparentguardian-relationships}} Findings from this Mental Health Online Diaries study revealed that counter to common narratives, young people see immense value in real life relationships, parents are making an effort to talk about mental health but sometimes do not connect, and hard conversations do not happen when young people fear being judged and parents do not initiate them.{{Cite web|title=When I Realized I Needed to Change the Way I Talk to My Daughters About Mental Health|url=https://themighty.com/2018/08/cynthia-bissett-germanotta-lady-gaga-mental-health-parenting/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=The Mighty|language=en-US}}
== Digital Communities: Youth Mental Health and Online Behavior ==
With data gathered during the Kind Communities survey, the Foundation explored questions related to youth mental health and their digital habits.{{Cite news|title=Digital Communities: Youth Mental Health + Online Behavior - Born This Way Foundation|language=en-US|work=Born This Way Foundation|url=https://bornthisway.foundation/research/online-communities-are-a-source-of-comfort-for-many-your-people/|access-date=2020-06-17}} In addition to examining the correlation between social media use and mental wellness, the Digital Communities: Youth Mental Health and Online Behavior survey sought to better understand how youth – including those who identify as LGBT+ – perceive their digital communities and how they use online resources to better understand and manage their mental health.{{Cite web |author=Born This Way Foundation|date=2018-01-10|title=Digital Communities: Youth Mental Health and Online Behavior|url=https://www.slideshare.net/btwfoundation/digital-communities-youth-mental-health-and-online-behavior}}{{Cite web|title=LGBTQ youth more likely to seek community online, survey shows|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-youth-more-likely-seek-community-online-survey-shows-n836496|access-date=2020-06-17|website=NBC News|date=11 January 2018 |language=en}}
= 2017 =
== Kind Communities – A Bridge To Youth Mental Wellness ==
In 2017, the Foundation commissioned the “Kind Communities – A Bridge To Youth Mental Wellness” survey from the Benenson Strategy Group.{{Cite news|title=Kind Communities - A Bridge to Youth Mental Wellness - Born This Way Foundation|language=en-US|work=Born This Way Foundation|url=https://bornthisway.foundation/research/kind-communities-a-bridge-to-youth-mental-wellness/|access-date=2020-06-17}} The survey collected data from over 3,000 young people between the ages of 15-24 and over 1,000 parents, asking questions about mental health and wellness. Some of the key findings from this comprehensive study include: Young people who describe their environments as kind are more likely to be mentally healthy, youth rely on a small set of close friends for support, and young people with access to tangible resources are more mentally healthy.{{Cite web |author=Born This Way Foundation|date=2017-07-26|title=Kind Communities - A Bridge To Youth Mental Wellness|url=https://www.slideshare.net/btwfoundation/kind-communities-a-bridge-to-youth-mental-wellness}}{{Cite web|last=Gibbs|first=Adrienne|title=Want To Improve The Workplace? New Research By Lady Gaga's Foundation Quantifies Kindness|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/adriennegibbs/2017/07/27/want-to-improve-the-workplace-new-survey-by-lady-gagas-foundation-quantifies-effects-of-kindness/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Forbes|language=en}}
= 2016 =
== Born Brave Experiences Research ==
The Born Brave Experiences Research is a series of studies focused on improving our understanding of the factors that influence youth empowerment, youth engagement, mental health, and emotional well-being. By working with partners across the country and surveying youth themselves, the research gained is used to learn how to better promote kindness and mental wellness in schools, communities, and homes. The surveys were conducted by Dr. Sue Swearer, the Willa Cather Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Swearer has chaired Born This Way Foundation's Research Advisory Board and led the Born Brave Experience research with assistance from Raul Palacios, Ed.S, a Doctoral Student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.{{Cite web|title=Born Brave Experiences Study {{!}} College of Education and Human Sciences|url=https://cehs.unl.edu/empowerment/born-brave-experiences-study/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=cehs.unl.edu}}
= 2015 =
== Emotion Revolution Survey ==
In 2015, the Foundation and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence partnered to launch the Emotion Revolution Survey.{{Cite news|date=2015-11-04|title=The Emotion Revolution: What We Learned from the Young People|language=en-US|work=Born This Way Foundation|url=https://bornthisway.foundation/the-emotion-revolution-what-we-learned-from-the-young-people/|access-date=2020-06-17}} Collecting data from over 22,000 high school students, the survey found that when students were asked how they currently feel in school, 75% of the responses were negative. In fact, the most common responses were “tired,” “stressed,” and “bored.” However, when students were asked how they want to feel in school, the most frequently listed emotions were overwhelmingly positive, such as “happy,” “energized,” and “excited.{{Cite web|title=Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence|url=https://www.ycei.org/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|title=Gaga, Yale team up for Emotion Revolution|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/04/09/lady-gaga-yale-emotion-revolution/25514969/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}”
Additional projects
- On October 16, 2016, toy company Mattel released the Zomby Gaga collector doll for pre-order as a part of their Monster High doll line in partnership with the BTWF. The doll is based on Gaga's Zombie Boy inspired skeleton tattoo makeup and tuxedo look from the Born This Way music video and designed by Gaga's sister Natali Germanotta together with Mattel. The doll was released on Jan 2, 2017, with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/10/17/lady-gaga-zomby-gaga-doll-monster-high-mattel-born-this-way-foundation/92146062/ |title=Attention Little Monsters: Lady Gaga's Zomby Gaga Doll is Here |last=Jones |first=Jaleesa M |date=October 17, 2016 |website=USA Today |access-date=April 19, 2021}}
- White House National Conference on Mental Health - In 2013, BTWF became an official partner of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden's Empowerment Initiative to help create and continue “a national conversation to increase understanding and awareness about mental health.{{Cite web|date=2013-06-03|title=Background on the National Conference on Mental Health|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/06/03/background-national-conference-mental-health|access-date=2020-06-17|website=whitehouse.gov|language=en}}”
- In September 2012, Gaga launched a new project called A Body Revolution 2013 to address poor body image and body acceptance. This was done, in part, because media outlets had negatively remarked on supposed weight gains by the performer. To start the project, she posted images of herself in underwear on LittleMonsters.com and asked others to follow her lead stating, "May we make our flaws famous, and thus redefine the heinous." She accompanied the photos with statements that she suffered from the eating disorders bulimia and anorexia nervosa since she was 15.{{Cite news|title=Body Revolution: Is Lady Gaga's New Project Resisting Beauty Standards or Reinforcing Them?|url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/post/body-revolution-is-lady-gagas-new-project-fat-shame-feminist-magazine-music-pop-culture-body-image|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Bitch Media|date=25 September 2012 |language=en}}
- In August 2012, Born This Way Foundation Co-founder Cynthia Germanotta was one of the speakers at the U.S. Department of Education's third annual Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Summit to coordinate "anti-bullying efforts with the best available research." She appeared with White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett with their speeches broadcast on C-SPAN.{{Cite web|date=2013-04-14|title=Education Dept. Hosts Third Annual Bullying Prevention Summit {{!}} C-SPAN|url=http://www.c-span.org/Events/C-SPAN-Event/10737432871/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414094143/http://www.c-span.org/Events/C-SPAN-Event/10737432871/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-04-14|access-date=2020-06-17|website=archive.li}} Born This Way Foundation's work was discussed among other ongoing anti-bullying efforts.{{Cite web|date=2012-08-07|title=Mother Gaga comes to Washington|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/mother-gaga-comes-to-washington|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Washington Examiner|language=en}}
Awards and recognitions
Cynthia Germanotta, Lady Gaga, and Born This Way Foundation have been the recipient of numerous honors, including the National Council for Behavioral Health's Change Champion Award, the Family Online Safety Institute's award for Outstanding Achievement, the National Association of School Psychologists Special Friend to Children Award, the Anti-Defamation League's "No Place for Hate" Making a Difference Award, the Children Mending Hearts Global Changemakers Award, and the President's Medal of Excellence from the Teachers College, Columbia University. Logo also named the Foundation 2013's Most Innovative Charity at their annual NewNowNext Awards.
- The New York Academy of Medicine – Bold & Brave Award for Cynthia Germanotta{{cite web|date=October 22, 2019|url=https://www.nyam.org/news/article/new-york-academy-medicine-honors-robert-f-smith-harlem-capital-and-cynthia-germanotta-annual-gala/|title=The New York Academy of Medicine Honors Robert F. Smith, Harlem Capital And Cynthia Germanotta At Annual Gala|publisher=The New York Academy of Medicine|access-date=March 24, 2021}}
- The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation – 2019 Honorary Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health for Cynthia Germanotta and Born This Way Foundation{{cite web|date=October 15, 2019|url=https://www.bbrfoundation.org/content/cynthia-germanotta-and-born-way-foundation-receive-2019-honorary-pardes-humanitarian-prize|title=Cynthia Germanotta and Born This Way Foundation Receive 2019 Honorary Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health|publisher=Brain & Behavior Research Foundation|access-date=March 24, 2021}}
- 2018 Erasing the Stigma Awards – Leadership Award for Born This Way Foundation{{cite web|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/news/17851-rick-springfield-to-be-honored-at-erasing-the-stigma-leadership-awards|title=Rick Springfield To Be Honored At Erasing The Stigma Leadership Awards|date=25 April 2018 |publisher=Look to the Stars|access-date=March 24, 2021}}{{cite web|title=Erasing the Stigma – About|url=https://erasingthestigma.org/about/|publisher=Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202193145/https://erasingthestigma.org/about/|archive-date=February 2, 2021}}
- Children Mending Hearts award for Cynthia Germanotta and Born This Way Foundation{{Cite web|title=Lady Gaga Honors Her Mother at Children Mending Hearts Fundraiser|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lady-gaga-honored-mother-cynthia-germanotta-at-children-mending-hearts-fundraiser-1119015|access-date=2020-06-17|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=11 June 2018 |language=en}}
- National Council for Behavioral Health's Change Champion Award{{Cite web|title=National Council for Behavioral Health Honors Excellence in Addiction Treatment, Behavioral Health Integration, Advocacy|url=https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/press-releases/national-council-behavioral-health-honors-excellence-addiction-treatment-behavioral-health-integration-advocacy/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=National Council|language=en-US}}
- Anti-Defamation League's “No Place for Hate” award for Born This Way Foundation{{Cite web|title=Born This Way Foundation Receives ADL's Making a Difference Award|url=https://www.adl.org/news/press-releases/born-this-way-foundation-receives-adls-making-a-difference-award|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Anti-Defamation League|language=en}}
- NewNowNext Awards Most Innovative Charity for Born This Way Foundation{{Cite web|last=Spargo 4/15/2013|first=Chris|title=Logo NewNowNext Awards Winners|url=http://www.newnownext.com/logo-newnownext-awards-winners/04/2013/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=LOGO News}}
- President's Medal of Excellence for Cynthia Germanotta{{Cite web|title=Teachers College Academic Festival 2017|url=https://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/2017/april/academic-festival-2017/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Teachers College - Columbia University|language=en}}
- Family Online Safety Institute's award for Cynthia Germanotta{{Cite web|last=lcrenshaw|date=2016-01-19|title=Cynthia Germanotta|url=https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/bio/cynthia-germanotta|access-date=2020-06-17|website=U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation|language=en}}
- 2013 National Association of School Psychologists Special Friend of Children Award
- Women Builder Council – Change Agent Award for Cynthia Germanotta{{Cite web|title=Honoree - WBC 13th Anniversary Award Dinner|url=https://wbcnyc.org/2017dinner/honoree.html|access-date=2020-06-17|website=wbcnyc.org}}
Press articles
- When I Realized I Needed to Change the Way I Talk to My Daughters About Mental Health. The Mighty – August 2018
- Lady Gaga's Mom Cynthia Germanotta Addresses UN, Stresses the Importance of Mental Health Resources. Billboard – September 2018{{Cite magazine|date=2018-09-26|title=Lady Gaga's Mom Cynthia Germanotta Addresses UN, Stresses the Importance of Mental Health Resources|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8477134/lady-gaga-mom-cynthia-germanotta-speaks-at-unga|access-date=2020-06-17|magazine=Billboard}}
- The Mental Health Lesson Lady Gaga's Mom Wishes She Learned Years Ago. Refinery 29 – October 6, 2017{{Cite web|last=Coughlin|first=Sara|title=Lady Gaga's Mom Regrets Not Having This Conversation With Her Daughter Years Ago|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/lady-gaga-mother-cynthia-germanotta-mental-health|access-date=2020-06-17|website=www.refinery29.com|language=en}}
- Long Island Middle Schoolers Participating In Born This Way Foundation's Kindness Challenge. CBS New York – September 20, 2018{{Cite web|date=2018-09-20|title=Baldwin Middle School Participating In Kindness Challenge|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/09/20/born-this-way-foundation-kindness-challenge/|access-date=2020-06-17|language=en-US}}
- Lady Gaga's #BeKindBeTheDifference Campaign Brings Awareness To Mental Health In The Best Way. Elite Daily – May 1, 2018{{Cite web|last=Burke|first=Caroline|title=Lady Gaga Wants You To #BeKindBeTheDifference For Mental Health Awareness Month|url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/lady-gagas-bekindbethedifference-campaign-brings-awareness-to-mental-health-in-the-best-way-8950526|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Elite Daily|date=May 2018 |language=en}}
- Cynthia Germanotta, Lady Gaga's Mom, Wants Mental Health First Aid To Be A Priority With The “Be Kind Be The Difference” Campaign. Bustle – May 12, 2018
- LGBTQ youth more likely to seek community online, survey shows. NBC News – January 2018
- Cynthia Germanotta On Ending Mental Health Stigma. MSNBC – October 11, 2018{{Cite web|title=Cynthia Germanotta On Ending Mental Health Stigma|url=https://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari-melber/watch/cynthia-germanotta-on-ending-mental-health-stigma-1342352451743|access-date=2020-06-17|website=MSNBC.com|language=en}}
- Dalai Lama, Lady Gaga Talk of Kindness at Mayors Conference. Associated Press – June 26, 2016{{Cite web|date=2016-06-26|title=Dalai Lama, Lady Gaga talk of kindness at mayors conference|url=https://apnews.com/188292fb03d749b78f98879e7b157ad0|access-date=2020-06-17|website=AP NEWS}}
- The President of the Born This Way Foundation Urges Tech Executives to Sign a Pledge to End Online Harassment. Vox– June 1, 2016{{Cite web|last=Bhuiyan|first=Johana|date=2016-06-01|title=The president of the Born This Way Foundation urges tech executives to sign a pledge to end online harassment|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/6/1/11824834/lady-gaga-online-harassment-born-this-way-foundation-cynthia-germanotta|access-date=2020-06-17|website=Vox|language=en}}
- Lady Gaga Launches Foundation. Boston Globe – March 1, 2012{{Cite web|last1=Farrell|first1=Michael B.|first2=Christina|last2= Reinwald|date=1 March 2012|title=Lady Gaga launches foundation|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2012/03/01/harvard-and-oprah-winfrey-help-lady-gaga-launch-foundation-whose-mission-includes-discouraging-bullying-online-and-school/H3VpFikgUkYMb4IJL4szHK/story.html|access-date=2020-06-17|work=The Boston Globe|language=en-US}}
See also
References
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External links
- {{official website|http://bornthiswayfoundation.org/}}
- {{YouTube|qPsuK6hsBC0|Foundation Inaugural Event video}}
{{Lady Gaga}}
Category:2011 establishments in Massachusetts
Category:Anti-bullying campaigns
Category:Anti-bullying organizations in the United States
Category:Foundations based in the United States