Kindness in Community fund grant recipients announced
8th August, 2024
We’ve raised $3 million USD for youth mental health, and it’s all thanks to you! As part of our partnership with Born This Way Foundation, we asked you to nominate local mental health organisations close to your heart. One year on, our Kindness in Community Fund grant recipients have been chosen and we’re so excited to share the Good news with you.
How it started
In September 2023, Cotton On Foundation and Born This Way Foundation came together with a shared mission to give 100% for youth mental health and inspire a global movement of kind action. Our global campaign, A kinder world is our kinda world, featured Born This Way Foundation co-founder, Lady Gaga, alongside young people sharing their real, authentic stories and experiences.
The limited-edition collection included graphic tees, caps, a tote bag and a denim jacket. From 1 September to 10 October 2023, 100% of net proceeds from Cotton On Foundation products and donations directly supported Born This Way Foundation in sharing mental health resources and inspiring a global movement of kind action.
“Kindness has the power to change someone’s day, maybe even their life, for the better.” — Lady Gaga, co-founder, Born This Way Foundation
Impact driven by youth: Kindness in Community
As part of our Cotton On Foundation x Born This Way Foundation fundraising journey, we asked you to nominate organisations for a Kindness in Community Fund grant. Local organisations that were close to your heart, have made an impact on you and deserve some recognition for all the good they do.
Born This Way Foundation collected over 1,900 nominations, with over 75% of those nominations submitted by youth. Young people drove the process at each step: from nominations to the initial review to the shortlist, and all the way to final selection.
10 countries. 65 grantees. $3 million USD raised.
Get to know some of the grantees:
Minus18 is focused on improving the lives and wellbeing of Australia’s LGBTQIA+ youth. The funds will support an existing leadership program that educates LGBTQIA+ young people on how to develop professional skills and expand their career networks.
Sad Girls Club is committed to destigmatising mental wellness for millennial and Gen Z womxn, girls, and femmes of colour. The funds will support The Summer of Sad Girls Tour. Connecting IRL to combat feelings of loneliness by building connections and normalising mental health conversations.
Waves for Change (W4C) engages youth with mind-body therapy through surfing across South Africa. The funds will support W4C’s ongoing work with fellow community-led organisations, to provide surf lessons to disadvantaged children and advocate for physical therapy as a useful tool in providing mental health support to young people.
Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) supports Singaporeans experiencing mental health challenges with a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. The funds will support SAMH’s continued commitment to improve the lives of youth living with mental illness and providing support for their families, every step of the way.
Full list of recipients
#HalfTheStory. 52 Lives School of Kindness. AMP. ASEc+. Aliento. Batyr. Beyond. Black Girls Smile. Body Banter. COR. Casa1. Centre LGBT+. Community Keepers. Daughters Rising. Emotion Dysregulation in Autism. Ever Forward Club. História Mapa do Acolhimento. Human Nature. Instituto Fazendo. Joy As Resistance. Khululeka Grief Support. Lefika La Phodiso. Letters To Strangers. Libera. LifeChanger. Little Lions Child Coaching. Live4Life. Malaysia MH Association. Man Up. Mind HK. Minus18. NYAWA. National Youth Foundation. PHOLA NPO. PROJECT ROCKIT. PlayOnside. Raise Foundation. ReachOut Australia. Ryan Bartel Foundation. Sad Girls Club. Sasha Bruce. Satellite Foundation. Sati App. Sati Foundation. Singapore Association for Mental Health. Sister System. Stand With Trans. Stronger Brother Stronger Sister. Teen Line. Teens 4 Teens Help. The Flourish Journey. The Laurel Foundation. The Mix. The New Normal. The Unbreakable Org. The Zubin Foundation. Tongle. Voices Of Hope. Waves For Change. We Are Family. YoungMinds. Youth Opportunities. Youth Pride. Youth Projects. Zero2Hero.
Where to now
One year on, our work with Born This Way Foundation has only just begun. Stay tuned for more to come this year @cottononfoundation and @btwfoundation
Have you earned your Be There Certificate?
The Be There Certificate is a free online mental health course. Learn how to start a conversation, support your loved ones, set healthy boundaries and maintain your own mental health. And, it’s free! Earn your certificate now
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 health. To learn more, click here.
Need mental health support?
If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. Please reach out to a local or online mental health provider below or contact emergency services if you are in need of urgent assistance.
AUS, USA, ZA, SG, MLY, HK: Links to over 1,600 free and confidential support resources are available over phone, text, or web chat at bekind.findahelpline.com
NZ: Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor. Or contact emergency services if you are in need of urgent assistance.
BRA: Contact Centro de Valorização da Vida for 24/7, free, compassionate and confidential support by phone and online chat. Call 188 or visit www.cvv.org.br or contact emergency services if you are in need of urgent assistance.
UK: Text SHOUT to 85258 Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor. Or contact emergency services if you are in need of urgent assistance.
Please note Cotton On is not a mental health provider. Links to over 1,600 free and confidential additional support resources are available over phone, text, or web chat at bekind.findahelpline.com
