65 Youth-Nominated Organizations Across Ten Countries Receive Grants to Scale Expansive Programming Addressing Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing
Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and Cotton On announced their $3,000,000 USD funding of 65 youth-centered organizations across ten countries through the Kindness in Community Fund, among the largest funding efforts to provide direct support for youth mental health across the world. From nominations to the initial review to selecting the shortlist, all the way to the final selection, young people in each region were engaged at each step, ensuring their input and perspectives were central to the decision-making process and reflecting their genuine needs and priorities in mental health.
The Kindness in Community Fund grantees span a wide range of focus areas, including direct mental health service providers, arts and culture, youth leadership and development, education, sports and recreation, and more. By offering up to $150,000 USD per organization, the fund enables services that respond to the top themes young people hoped to address in their regions, including culturally competent services, LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy, gender-based violence support, de-stigmatizing mental health, and migrant and refugee community care. This funding was made possible through an innovative product partnership with the Cotton On Foundation where 100% of proceeds from products designed by the collaboration were donated.
The Kindness in Community Fund offers a comprehensive approach that connects young people with a wide range of free, accessible resources and opportunities to support themselves and their peers.
“It was my daughter’s and my vision to be able to act on the research and thousands of conversations we’ve had with young people globally, where youth have asked for responsive services and programs that meet their needs and support their mental health and whole wellbeing,” said Cynthia Germanotta, President and Co-Founder of Born This Way Foundation. “Thanks to partners like Cotton On, Born This Way Foundation is able to scale the important work of the 2024 Kindness in Community Fund grant recipients as they support youth mental health and uplift their communities.”
Reflecting the organizations mission and collaborative strategy from its founding over a decade ago, the vetting criteria required Kindness in Community Fund grantees to be focused on young people, be rooted in equity and inclusion, and provide accessible resources to their communities, and the Foundation approached that vetting process in partnership with mental health insights and advisory firm, Prospira Global. This youth-led effort underscores the power of involving young people at every step to create effective mental health support systems globally.
“Something that inspired me about the nominated organisations was how many of them focused on supporting marginalised communities such as LGBTQ+ young people, youth living in rural and remote communities, and Indigenous youth,” said Nikoletta Apostolidis (she/her), Born This Way Foundation Advisory Board member who assisted in the selection process alongside other young people. “It was also inspiring to see how the nominated organisations were youth led. Youth-led initiatives support young people to be active in decision making processes, programs, and interventions that directly impact their lives. Youth-led organisations are not only helpful in understanding the needs, interests, and concerns of young people, but can also help to bolster the leadership skills, collaborative capacity, and confidence of young people emerging as leaders in their communities.”
“We are proud to collaborate with Born This Way Foundation in supporting these remarkable organizations,” said Sarah Spiker, Head of Global Projects for Cotton On Foundation. “Through the Kindness in Community Fund, our team and customers are contributing to the global effort to prioritize mental health and build resilient communities.”
“Together with our team and customers, we are proud to have now raised over $10 million AUD to support mental health organizations. We are delighted to partner with Born This Way Foundation’s Kindness in Community grants, which will directly impact over 75,000 young people with access to mental health support services, putting youth-led solutions at the heart of building kind, brave communities globally,” said Tim Diamond, General Manager of the Cotton On Foundation.
Born This Way Foundation and Cotton On Foundation are proud to announce the following Kindness in Community Fund grant recipients:
Australia:
- Batyr
- Human Nature
- LifeChanger
- Live4Life
- Man Up
- Minus18
- PROJECT ROCKIT
- Raise Foundation
- ReachOut Australia
- Satellite Foundation
- StrongBrother Strong Sister
- The Flourish Journey
- Youth Opportunities
- Youth Projects
- Zero2Hero
Brazil:
Hong Kong:
Malaysia:
New Zealand:
South Africa:
- Community Keepers
- Khululeka Grief Support
- Lefika La Phodiso
- Little Lions Child Coaching
- PHOLA NPO
- Waves for Change
Singapore:
Thailand:
United Kingdom:
United States:
- Aliento
- AMP
- Black Girls Smile
- Centre LGBT+
- COR
- Ever Forward Club
- #HalfTheStory
- Joy as Resistance
- Letters to Strangers
- Libera
- National Youth Foundation
- Ryan Bartel Foundation
- Sad Girls Club
- Sasha Bruce
- Stand With Trans
- Teens 4 Teens Help
- Teen Line (Didi Hirsch)
- The Laurel Foundation
- The Unbreakable Org
- We Are Family
- Youth Pride
Despite the crucial need for investment, the World Health Organization reports that mental health comprises only around 2% of global health funding, and just 0.5% of philanthropic health funding. With organizations sharing that they often struggle to secure consistent funding, this investment is crucial. The recipient organizations have shared their experiences and challenges directly with many sharing that the grant will help them provide resources to more people, recruit staff members, and expand their impact in their communities.
For more information about the Kindness in Community Fund and other initiatives by Born This Way Foundation and Cotton On Foundation, please visit: www.channelkindness.org/welcome-our-2024-kic-grantees
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ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
About Born This Way Foundation
Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, empowers and inspires young people to build a kinder, braver world that supports their mental wellness. Through youth-driven research, programs, and strategic partnerships, Born This Way Foundation partners with young people and connects them with accessible mental health resources to support themselves and their communities. Learn more at bornthisway.foundation.
About Cotton On
Cotton On’s purpose is to make a positive difference in people’s lives. A global fashion and lifestyle retailer with eight brands, 1,500 stores and powered by 20,000 passionate team members across 22 countries, their vision is to take their Aussie lifestyle brands to the world, delivering Good along the way. They offer on trend and affordable lifestyle products across ladieswear, men’s, kids, body, accessories and stationery. To learn more, head to cottonon.com or cottonongroup.com.
About Cotton On Foundation
The philanthropic arm of Cotton On, Cotton On Foundation, is creating a world where every young person can thrive. With outreach programs in Uganda, South Africa, Thailand and Australia, the not-for-profit’s 15-year outreach has raised $180 million AUD. Together with their team and customers, creating lasting impact across three key areas: Holistic Education, Mental Health and Environment.
About Prospira Global
Prospira Global is a boutique mental health advisory firm supporting global companies, philanthropists and investors to design and implement effective global mental health solutions. Prospira Global is driven by a mission to catalyze increased and more effective action on mental health worldwide, led by intelligence and data, lived experience and our unique global network.
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