Lady Gaga to Give $1 Million to LGBT Youth Support Groups

Openly bisexual pop star Lady Gaga will be donating $1 million to the Robin Hood Foundation which in turn will distribute those funds among five New York City-based groups that aid homeless LGBT youths, it has been announced. One hundred percent of the money will be used to support nonprofits.

More on the partnership from the Robin Hood website:

What do Lady Gaga and Robin Hood have in common? Constant innovation and lots of heart. Since 1988, Robin Hood has funded the most effective poverty-fighting organizations in New York City, granting over $1 billion to help our neighbors in need.

[...]

Right now, 4,000 New York City teens are living on the street. Some aged out of the foster care system, some ran away from abusive homes, and others were rejected by their families because of their sexual orientation. Robin Hood’s programs offer a lifeline to the city’s most vulnerable teens, helping them get off the streets and build stable lives. We believe every teen deserves a chance at success. We hope that you do, too.

The money will in fact be divided up in a rather unique way. In what seems like an effort to encourage awareness of each of the five charities, Lady Gaga and Robin Hood are asking people to vote on which charity should get the largest share, with that group getting $500,000.

After that, the prizes will be divided up like this: $200,000 will be granted to the charity with the second highest number of votes. $150,000 will be granted to the charity with the third highest number of votes. $100,000 will be granted to the charity with the fourth highest number of votes. $50,000 will be granted to the charity with the fifth highest number of votes.

The charities are:

The Door — Providing services for over 11,000 young people, The Door runs a health clinic, legal services, LGBTQ counseling and activities, G.E.D. classes, arts classes and more.
Hetrick-Martin Institute — America’s oldest social service organization dedicated to serving LGBTQ youth. The Institute provides, year-on-year, over 1,500 teens and young adults with health services, food, counseling, education, career development and sexual health advice.
Lawyers for Children — Free legal and social work servicing approximately 40,000 youth since its conception, Lawyers for Children has a special focus on vulnerable groups like LGBTQ youth and those aging out of care.
Safe Horizon — Serving 1,700 homeless and abused young adults in New York City, nearly half of which are LGBTQ, Safe Horizon’s Streetwork program allows the organization to meet homeless and impoverished youths when they are at their most vulnerable and help them move on from hurt and neglect by supporting them as they attempt to make a new start.
SCO Family of Services — Having served New York City’s homeless, vulnerable and LGBTQ youth for decades, SCO Family of Services provides what is termed “transitional housing,” education, health services, life skills training and career guidance.

You can click here to learn more and also find out how to vote. Voting closes Friday May 6th, 2011 at 6:00am EST.

Photo used under the Creative Commons Attribution License with thanks to Peter Cruise.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Yvette T.

5:28PM PDT on May 1, 2011

Very cool. When are we going to expose the true teachings of the spiritual master the gay-bashers claim to follow? How can anyone claim to be following an adept when they destroy lives, and their Master did the opposite? These are the descendants of the "Christians" who invaded indigenous land and turned the spiritual acknowledgement that every being has a place in this creation regardless of masculine and feminine levels, and, even, because of them, to ridiculing and shaming sacred people who lost these places in society and in ritual? Would their Christ have done anything remotely similar?

May 1
send a green star

Brenda G.

2:31AM PDT on Apr 30, 2011

I applaud this initiative from Lady Ga Ga. However, I'm not so sure about the voting on which organisation is doing "better" work than another. ALL the organisations mentioned are extremely worthwhile and doing excellent work. Give them ALL the money and more!!!

April 30
send a green star

Norma V.

8:37PM PDT on Apr 29, 2011

Lady Gaga, while you are rich, famous, and influential, make the most of this by reaching out to humanity...

April 29
send a green star

Diane W.

11:01PM PDT on Apr 28, 2011

She will, when? Brava when she does, but I don't think the announcement should come out until she actually makes that contribution. Remember what the Billionaires Club promised and never did?! PLEASE SIGN THIS CARE2 PETITION:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/stop-profanity-in-american-entertainment/

April 28
send a green star

Loo S.

8:30PM PDT on Apr 28, 2011

way to go Lady Gaga, thanks for sharing.

7:24PM PDT on Apr 28, 2011

You go girl, I thank you for using your platform for what's right...especially when the Duck Trump is anti gay and discriminating against women also...If everyone would stand up to those whom have the money against those whom have the money you make my day...Thanks Again

Zachary S.

6:26PM PDT on Apr 28, 2011

I dont mind they getting tax write offs, this should encourage the mega rich donate to the non profits

Rachel R.

6:10PM PDT on Apr 28, 2011

Okay....so she did a Oprah and gave gifts that are simply a tax write off. Now 10 million.

Arielle B.

3:37PM PDT on Apr 28, 2011

This is fantastic. I'm glad Gaga is using her fame for good!

Gina P.

1:28PM PDT on Apr 28, 2011

She puts her money where her mouth is. I wish more celebrities would do this. (and I am almost 60 and love her music, but not the meat dress!)