The Born This Way Foundation is an non-profit organization founded in 2011 by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta focusing on youth empowerment and issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring, and career development. The foundation will work with a number of partners, including the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the California Endowment and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.
History
Gaga announced the foundation on November 2.
- "My mother and I have initiated a passion project. We call it the Born This Way Foundation."
- "Together we hope 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."
On February 14th, it was announced that the foundation would officially launch on February 29, 2012at Harvard University. Along with Gaga and her mother, Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra are scheduled to make an appearance. The official website posted a banner leading up to the launch with a countdown clock on the bottom.
THIS WAY, TOWARDS BRAVERY
WHERE YOUTH ARE EMPOWERED.
THIS WAY, TOWARDS ACCEPTANCE
WHERE HUMANITY IS EMBRACED.
THIS WAY, TOWARDS LOVE
WHERE INDIVUALITY IS ENCOURAGED.
JOIN US, THIS WAY.
LAUNCHING FEBRUARY 29, 2012
Inaugural event
The inaugural event was held in Harvard university on February 29, 2012. At the inauguration Lady Gaga, Cynthia Germanotta, media proprietor Oprah Winfrey, writer Deepak Chopra, and United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius delivered speeches. Lady Gaga also held a Q&A session with a panel that consisted of those who gave speeches and Alyssa Rodemeyer (brother of Jamey Rodemeyer).
Activities
2012 Poster campaign
Born This Way Foundation poster contest winner, Kayleigh F!.
2012 Schools project with Office Depot
Office Depot is proud to announce a partnership with Born This Way Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, that is dedicated to empowering youth and inspiring bravery. The partnership, kicking off during the back-to-school season, will provide students, parents, and teachers with insights and limited-edition products that support Born This Way Foundation’s mission of helping to encourage today’s youth to grow up feeling confident about their individuality.
To help spread this message, Office Depot and Born This Way Foundation have created several special, limited-edition products for back-to-school this year. Custom products include empowerment gift cards (with a face value of $20), with one of six messages on the front: “Be Brave”, “Be Amazing”, “Be Yourself”, “Be Kind”, “Be Accepting”, and “Be Involved”. Parents, students, and teachers can use the $20 gift card to purchase incredible back-to-school essentials at Office Depot, and afterwards can proudly clip their cards to their backpack or belt loop showing their support of the movement.
In support of the efforts by Office Depot and the Born This Way Foundation, public service announcement videos were created by model and actor Patrick Schwarzenegger, and by pop singer Greyson Chance to be aired on Facebook, YouTube and other outlets.
A Body Revolution 2013
The Body Revolution is the latest project created by the Born This Way Foundation which was founded by Gaga and her mother in 2012, focusing on youth empowerment and issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring, and career development. Gaga expressed how hard it is to control her weight now with her lupus and posted pics of her and Tara in lingerie, to show they are brave and not afraid to show the world their insecurities and that they could embrace them.
Embrace your body, free yourself of your insecurities by posting your photographs on Little Monsters!
Born Brave Nation 2013
The Born to be Brave bus is a bus that follows The Born This Way Ball Tour during the U.S. dates to help prevent bullying situations, aid positive environments, give a place for youths to seek advice, as well as teaching youths how to help those around them.
Japanese artist, Iggy Proof (Hiromi Yoshimura) did the illustrations for the Born Brave Bus, 'Castle' photobooth. Artist Da Morgue who also contributed illustrations for The Born This Way Ball Tour merch, also did on this project with two drawings. Italian artist Mononoke Monster (Maddalena Carrai) did the illustrations for Bravery Stories room. Helen Green also contributed the artwork decorating the exterior of the Born Brave Bus.
Venus Ride with Soulcycle Beverly Hills
2014
Harper's Bazaar March cover shoot wardrobe auction
- Main article: Harper's Bazaar
Fundraiser with Prizeo
By donating via Prizeo, fans enter a drawing to win a dinner with Gaga at Joanne Trattoria and tickets to her Roseland Ballroom show.
Bold Missions with Doritos
- Main article: South by Southwest (SXSW Music Festival)