The Choose Kindness Alliance
The Alliance in Action
The Choose Kindness Project is guided by the nation’s leading organizations on bullying prevention, intentional inclusion and mental wellness.
The Choose Kindness Alliance is designed to foster collaboration and innovation that expands their reach and impact with youth, families, coaches and other caring adults.
AAKOMA Project
The AAKOMA Project, founded by Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble, envisions a world where every child, teen, and young adult inclusive of all points of diversity feels the freedom to live unapologetically and authentically within an environment that allows them to rise and thrive. Their mission is to build the consciousness of intersectional Youth of Color and their caregivers on the recognition and importance of mental health, empower youth and their families to seek help, manage mental health, and influence systems and services to receive and address the needs of Youth of Color and their families. The AAKOMA Project leverages a multifaceted approach to address the unmet mental health needs of Youth of Color that is designed for – not adapted to – the mental health & wellness needs of intersectional (including LGBTQ + Disabled) Youth of Color.
Act To Change
Act To Change is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to end bullying among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth. It is the only national group with this primary focus, with an interdisciplinary approach that spans education, public health, and civil rights. We envision a world where all youth have the opportunity to grow up feeling proud and supported in their identities.
Ad Council
The Ad Council is where creativity and causes converge. The non-profit organization brings together the most creative minds in advertising, media, technology and marketing to address many of the nation’s most important causes. The Ad Council has created many of the most iconic campaigns in advertising history. Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. Smokey Bear. Love Has No Labels. Its innovative social good campaigns raise awareness, inspire action and save lives.
ADL
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.
Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, supports the mental health of young people and works with them to build a kinder and braver world. Through high-impact programming, youth-led conversations, and strategic, cross-sectoral partnerships, the Foundation aims to make kindness cool, validate the emotions of young people, and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.
Digital Wellness Lab
The Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School (the Lab) seeks to help our children grow up healthy, smart, and kind in today’s immersive digital environment. The Lab conducts research and works across industries to develop evidence-based guidance to encourage technology leaders to build a healthier media ecosystem for youth — from infants to young adults. The Digital Wellness Lab is made up of a dynamic and collaborative team of experts and thought leaders from health sciences, tech, academics, education, and entertainment.
The Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) is the only youth-centered organization that bridges the gap between social science research and media creation to help storytellers better reflect the lived experiences of adolescents. We bring together the academic and creative communities to unlock the power of storytelling to help the next generation thrive and grow. Our primary aim is to support content creators who are working toward changing entrenched cultural narratives around the key issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, mental health, and inequality. CSS is affiliated with UCLA through the faculty appointment of our founder, Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, in the Psychology Department, one of the highest-ranked in the world, and we have more than 100 academic collaborators working with us from universities around the world.
Facing History and Ourselves
Founded in 1976 in Brookline, Massachusetts, Facing History and Ourselves is an education and professional development organization committed to helping shape the next generation of informed civic participants worldwide. Through professional development training, follow-up support, and best-in-class educational resources, Facing History equips middle and high school educators to teach classroom lessons and units that integrate social-emotional learning, equity practices, and civic knowledge and skills into core academic content, including history, social studies, and English/Language Arts. By studying the root causes of the Holocaust and other historical events marked by antisemitism, racism, and intolerance, students gain an understanding not only of how the past informs our world today, but also of the responsibility of individuals and groups to make a difference in their communities and in broader society.
Get In The Game
Get In The Game is a social equity movement that empowers youth to drive change through thoughtful and intentional conversations around race, diversity and belonging. Using carefully curated curriculum and advanced technologies, including AR/VR and apps, Get In the Game is creating a best-in-class community of facilitators and GameChangers. Together, they are equipped with the tools and resources to tackle modern-day issues of inequity. The endgame is for GameChangers to inspire each other to build a more diverse, inclusive and equitable future in their local communities and around the nation.
GLAAD
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
GLSEN
GLSEN works to create safe and inclusive learning environments for all. Championing LGBTQ+ issues in K-12 education since 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which all students are safe, valued, and respected regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, and gender expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach millions of students and educators through action at the national, state, and local level. Founded over thirty years ago by educators, GLSEN has led the movement to improve conditions for LGBTQ+ students across the United States, and throughout the world. GLSEN’s efforts to achieve equitable outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth in K-12 education systems are grounded in racial, gender, and disability justice.
Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is the nation’s premier Latino nonprofit membership organization. Founded in 1990, HF seeks to empower and advance the Hispanic community, support Hispanic families, and strengthen Latino institutions through work in the areas of education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, & the environment. HF works locally, state-wide, and nationally to strengthen Latino nonprofits, promote public policy advocacy, and bring to scale a portfolio of innovative community programs.
Human Rights Campaign Foundation- Welcoming Schools
Welcoming Schools is the most comprehensive bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation to provide LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources specifically designed for educators and youth serving professionals.
Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
Kevin Love Fund
When Kevin Love publicly shared his personal story about challenges with mental health, he had no idea the movement it would create. One by one, fans and other high-profile celebrities began to share their own stories of fear and struggle. Quickly, a national conversation had begun. Kevin established the Kevin Love Fund (KLF) to inspire people to live their healthiest lives while providing tools for both mental and physical health. Through a unique combination of education, research, grant-making, and advocacy, KLF is breaking the stigma around mental health and ensuring people who are suffering have the support needed to thrive.
Kindness.org
Kindness.org is a research-led nonprofit dedicated to educating and inspiring people to choose kindness first. They believe that kindness is humanity’s greatest asset. Through their research hub, Kindlab, they investigate the costs and benefits of kindness, and the role it can play in solving our world’s most urgent problems. They use these findings to create action-based products and programs that bring effective kindness to schools, communities, and workplaces around the world. Their flagship program, Learn Kind, is an inquiry-based kindness and social-emotional learning curriculum that helps students in K-8 grade classrooms experience the impact of kindness firsthand. Launched in 2020, Learn Kind has served more than 110,000 students around the world – and more every day. Everything they do is in service of the vision of a world where kindness is at the forefront of human interaction.
Lions Clubs International Foundation
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) supports the work of 1.4 million Lions members to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and support those in need through global partnerships and humanitarian services. Lions Quest, LCIF’s signature youth education program, is a social emotional learning program which gives students the skills to navigate life and prevent bullying and substance abuse. For over 30 years, Lions Quest has impacted more than 20 million children across the globe by providing students and educators with the skills necessary to celebrate diversity and establish positive relationships.
Making Caring Common
Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, supports adults in raising children who care for others and the common good, and who are committed to justice.
NAACP
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s largest and foremost grassroots civil rights organization. The mission of the NAACP is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights and social justice in their communities.
NAMI
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an alliance of more than 600 local Affiliates and 49 State Organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need. NAMI works to educate, support, advocate, listen, and lead. For over 40 years, NAMI has been a beacon of help and hope, fighting for more research, better education, bolder advocacy, and broader public awareness.
The National School Climate Center
The National School Climate Center at Ramapo for Children (NSCC) helps children, young people, and caring adults connect, learn, lead, and thrive together. We work with schools and communities around the U.S. to lift up the voices of students, staff, and families to help make safe, caring, equitable, and healing learning environments. Our programs include youth leadership councils, school climate measurement tools, school leader certifications, and professional development programs.
Positive Coaching Alliance
PCA’s vision is to build a world where every child benefits from a positive youth sports experience with a coach who inspires them to become the best version of themselves in the game and in life. PCA trains coaches and partners with youth sports organizations, parents, sports leaders, and communities to make youth sports more positive, equitable, and accessible to all kids regardless of social or economic circumstances.
Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® is a comprehensive set of activities and programming that promotes social inclusion and develops inclusive mindsets in students of all ages and abilities, currently in 8,000 schools across the US and 10,000 around the world.
“The Jed Foundation is honored to be a part of the Choose Kindness Alliance because the work of protecting the mental health and well-being of teens and young adults is mission critical right now. We know that this powerful alliance has the ability to make real change for our nation’s youth and families.”
John MacPhee, CEO of The Jed Foundation (JED)
Supporters
Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF)
For 80 years, the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF)has been the entertainment community’s trusted partner in philanthropy—creating and supporting groundbreaking programs and campaigns that raise awareness and funds for issues affecting millions of people worldwide. EIF serves as a resource for artists, athletes, and influencers seeking to expand their footprint in philanthropy and leverage their platforms for social good.
EIF is a Charity Navigator 4 Star Charity that meets all 20 BBB Charity Standards and carries the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. EIN: EIN: 95-1644609
College Football Playoff Foundation – Extra Yard for Teachers
The College Football Playoff Foundation is the charitable nonprofit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations and nonprofits to support educators and improve U.S. student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education across the country. The CFP Foundation’s primary platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four core areas: resources, recognition, professional development, recruitment and retention.
Walton Family Foundation
The Choose Kindness Project is proud to team up with the Walton Family Foundation in our shared goals of championing community-driven change, prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion and collaborating with partners. The Foundation seeks to increase access to high-quality K-12 education that puts opportunity and a self-determined life in reach for every child. Together with their partners, they hope to build coalitions for change that transcend the differences that divide us and lay the foundation for a promising education future for America’s children. The Walton Family Foundation funds new ideas and pluralistic solutions that can meet the needs of diverse communities to foster innovation that can advance students’ learning and growth.