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"Do Something" redirects here. For other uses, seeDo Something (disambiguation).
DoSomething.org
Company typeNon-profit
IndustryNonprofit
Founded1993(1993)
FoundersAndrew Shue
Michael Sanchez
HeadquartersNew York City,New York,U.S.
Key people
Nancy Lublin,FormerCEO
Aria Finger,Former CEO
DeNora Getachew,CEO
ProductsGlobal Campaigns
RevenueUS$14,131,513 United States (2017)
Websitedosomething.org

DoSomething(also known asDoSomething.org) is an internationalnonprofit organizationthat aims to inspire and engage young people to create positive change in the world, both online and offline, through various campaigns. The organization is led by CEO DeNora Getachew.[1]

History

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The organization was co-founded in 1993 by American actorAndrew Shueand Michael Sanchez.[2]They stated their motivation was to encourage young people to become active citizens and leaders while also making community involvement fun.[3]

Overview

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According to the website, DoSomething.org, the organization has members throughout the United States and in 131 countries.[4]

In 2013, DoSomething.org launched TMI,[5]a strategy consultancy that helps brands "drivesocial changethrough insights and creative solutions backed by data from millions of young people. "[6]

Teens for Jeans

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"Teens For Jeans" was established in 2008 out of a partnership withAéropostale.The campaign looks to help clothe the over one million homeless teens across the country by providing a highly requested item:jeans.[7]People were encouraged to bring their gently worn jeans to Aéropostale, which donates to over 1,000homeless sheltersin the United States and Canada. In 2011, 542,000 pairs of jeans were collected, and[8]in 2012, 902,500 pairs of jeans were collected. Celebrities that have worked with the Teens for Jeans campaign includeNigel Barker,[9]Jay Sean,[10]Nikki Blonsky,[11]Chace Crawford,[12]David Archuleta,Ashley Greene,Justin Long,Demi Lovato,Rachel Crow,Drew Barrymore,Chloë Grace Moretz,Fifth Harmony,andThe Vamps.

reboot camp

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in partnership with blue California, dosomethng.org created a camp to teach teens about mental HEALTH.[13]

Pregnancy Text

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DoSomething.org's Pregnancy Text, a campaign around teen pregnancy, turned young people's cell phones into "virtual babies."[14]According to the organization's website, 132,782 young people used the Pregnancy Text to prank their friends with a phone baby to start the conversation aboutteen pregnancy.

Diversify My Emoji

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DoSomething.org powered the petition that convinced Apple to create non-white emoji options.[15]DoSomething.org Head of Campaigns Michaela Bethune toldTheWashington Post,Diversify My Emoji "demonstrates how online action, with the appropriate target, methods, scale, and platform, can achieve real offline impact."[16]

Get the Filter Out (GTFO)

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In 2015, DoSomething.org partnered with Truth, the nation's longest-running and most successfulyouth smokingprevention campaign, to encourage young people to clean upcigarette buttsbefore they had the chance to harmwildlifeor leach toxic chemicals into the environment.[17]The organizations teamed up with rapperJake Milleron a public service announcement.[17]According to its website, young people cleaned up 3.7 million cigarette butts to protect the planet through the campaign.[15]

Grandparents Gone Wired

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DoSomething.org and theAARPFoundation partnered for Grandparents Gone Wired, an annual campaign that encourages young people to pass their technological expertise onto older adults in their lives.[18]Internet personalityiJustine,[19]as well as Nev Schulman and Max Joseph from MTV'sCatfish: The TV Show,have served as spokespeople for the campaign. According to its website, the campaign helped 11,753 older adults stay up-to-date on technology.[15]

Nude Awakening

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In 2015, onNational Nude Day,July 14, DoSomething.org member Luis Torres launched a campaign called Nude Awakening.[20]The campaign asked young people to leave comments on Merriam-Webster's website and social media, demanding the definition of the word "nude" become more inclusive. According to the DoSomething.org website, the campaign digitally advocated for justice and convincedMerriam-Websterto change itsracistdefinition of "nude".[15]

Game-Winning Drive

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DoSomething.org teamed up withESPNto encourage young people to run sports equipment drives in various communities. DoSomething.org and ESPN's Game-Winning Drive campaign was the largest youth-led sports drive and collected 44,173 pieces of gear for kids inunderserved communities.[15]

Power to the Period

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In 2016, DoSomething.org partnered with the U byKotexbrand to run Power to the Period, the first national drive formenstrual products.[21]The organization teamed up withInternet personalityIngrid Nilsenwho recorded a PSA for the campaign.[22]Through the campaign, 585,965 period products were donated to homeless shelters from 50,257 participants.[23]

Smiles for Soldiers

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In 2016, DoSomething.org teamed up with Johnson & Johnson for a campaign called Smiles for Soldiers that asked young people to make thank-you cards for military service members. Actor Colton Haynes joined the campaign and recorded a public service announcement for the campaign.[24]According to the organization's website, through the campaign, young people sent 148,645 cards to military service members to show gratitude and help service members feel connected to home.[15]

Comeback Clothes

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DoSomething.org's "Comeback Clothes" campaign launched in April 2014 in partnership withH&M.Young people are encouraged to recycle used and old clothes by bringing them to their nearest H&M.[25]This program was paused in 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[26]

Notes From Shawn

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DoSomething.org partnered with singerShawn Mendesto help boost theself-esteemof millions of young people across the nation. Inspired by lyrics from Mendes's song "Life of the Party", the organization teamed up with the musician to spread positivity. By postingsticky noteswith positive and uplifting messages written on them, DoSomething members sought to bring happiness to people, aiming to stop teens fromself-harming.[27]

Do Something Awards

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Dax ShepardandKristen Bellat the 2012 DoSomething Awards held in Santa Monica

The awards were inaugurated in 1996 (as the BR!CK Awards) to recognise young people 25 and under who have done outstanding work in their communities and the world. After their relaunch in 2007 as the Do Something Awards, they recognise both young people making social change and individuals from theentertainment industrywho have dedicated their time to activism and charity. The top four Do Something Awards nominees receive a $10,000 community grant, while the grand prize winner receives a $100,000 grant to push their community projects forward. The Awards were broadcast for the first time in 2007.

In 2011, the Do Something Awards was hosted byJane Lynchat the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California, and was broadcast on VH1.[28]The list of performers includesDemi Lovato,Foster the People,OneRepublicfeaturingB.o.Band many other celebrities such asJustin Bieber,Lady Gaga,Adam Lambert,Kristen Bell,Nick Cannon,David BeckhamandKim Kardashian.[29]

In 2012, the DoSomething Awards were hosted byNew Girlcast membersJake Johnson,Max Greenfield,andLamorne Morris.[30]

In 2013, the Do Something Awards was hosted bySophia Bushat The Avalon in Hollywood, California and was broadcast on VH1. The list of presenters includesHarry Shum,JoanandMelissa Rivers,Darren Criss,Russell Simons, andRoselyn Sánchez,among others. Celebs honored at the Do Something Awards include:Patrick Dempsey,Jesse Tyler Ferguson,Jennifer Hudson,LL Cool J,andKelly Osbourne.Performances were made by:Fitz and the Tantrums,J. Cole,andSara Bareilles.

Past award winners

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  • 1996 -Van Jones:Founded and directed theSan Francisco-based Bay Area Police Watch, an organization that assists survivors ofpolice misconductandbrutality.In 1996, Van founded theElla Baker Center for Human Rights.Named for a civil rights activistElla Baker,the Center "promotes alternatives to violence andincarceration".[31]
  • 1998 -Mark Levine:Founded Credit Where Credit Is Due andNeighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union,to helplow-incomefamilies in NorthernManhattaninNew York Citygain access to and control over financial services.[32][33]
  • 2005 - Students for Organ Donation: Founder Richard Ludlow started this non-profit organization atYale.It eventually spread to 20 universities and won a BRICK award in 2005.[34]
  • 2005 -Net Literacy:[35]Founder Daniel Kent started Senior Connects[36](later renamed Net Literacy) inmiddle schooland 4,500 student volunteers have donated 40,000 computers have increased access to technology to more than 250,000 individuals.
  • 2006 - Jordan Schwartz age 12, receives a Do Something Brick Award as founder and artistic producer of The Children's Bilingual Theater which is committed to bridging the language and cultural gaps in our community through the theater and arts and is dedicated to giving a diverse group of young people the theater experience while offering the benefits of confidence and public speaking in a bilingual setting. www.childrensbilingualtheater.org
  • 2007 - Jacob Komar: Created "Computers for Communities",[37]which obtains discarded computers, teaches prison inmates how to refurbish them and distributes them to locals in need of a computer. This program has distributed more than 1,000 computers and Jacob plans to expand his services.
  • 2007 -Kimmie Weeks:CreatedYouth Action International,which rebuilds war-torn African communities. Thousands of children in post-war African countries have benefited from YAI's centers, micro-credit loans, scholarships, peace schools, playgrounds, and agriculture programs.
  • 2008 - Chad Bullock: Trained 45,000 teens to doanti-tobaccoprojects and has developed an anti-tobacco activism site helloCHANGE.org
  • 2009 -Maggie Doyne:Opened and manages the Kopila Valley Primary School with her life savings. As of 2011, 35 children live in theorphanageand over 230 children attend the school.
  • 2010 - Jessica Posner: Co-founded Shining Hope for Communities to combat gender inequality and poverty inKibera.As the first free school in Kibera, Jessica has helped over 5,700 residents gain education and employment.[38]
  • 2011 - Sarah Cronk: Founder of The Sparkle Effect, an innovative student-run program encouraging teens nationwide to includedisabledstudents in high school cheerleading programs. The goal of the program is to enable disabled students to experience true acceptance and gain confidence as high school students and to inspire entire communities to embraceinclusion.
  • 2012 - Katia Gomez: Provides education to the youth ofHondurasthrough her foundation Educate2Envision, which also helps show the opportunities that education can bring.
  • 2013 - Daniel Maree: Founded the Million Hoodies Movement for Justice, which helps combat the issues ofracial profilingand Florida'sStand Your Ground Lawin the wake of the death of 17-year-oldTrayvon Martin.

2020 Racial bias accusations and staff walkout

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In June 2020, former DoSomething staffers tweeted accusations aboutracial discriminationandtoxic work cultureat DoSomething and its sister organizationCrisis Text Line.The CEO of Crisis Text Line,Nancy Lublin,was fired alongside two members of the Crisis Text Line Board of Directors.[39]The accusations resulted in calls for the resignation of DoSomething CEOAria Fingerfor her alleged complicity in and failure to address the toxic work culture. Finger took aleave of absencein June but was reinstated in late August following an independent investigation's conclusion that there was no explicit racism at the nonprofit. This prompted half of DoSomething's staff to walk out on September 8, refusing to work until Finger resigned.[40]They cited that the independent report did not address the accusations ingood faith,that the report was not released to staff, and that it focused mainly on explicit racial bias even though the accusations spoke primarily ofimplicit racial bias.[41]

In April 2021, DoSomething announced the appointment of a new CEO, DeNora Getachew.[42]According to the press statement, Getachew will work to foster a high-performinganti-racistand inclusive culture based on trust and collaboration.

See also

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References

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  1. ^DoSomething.org."DoSomething.org Welcomes DeNora Getachew as Chief Executive Officer".www.prnewswire.com.Retrieved2021-04-30.
  2. ^Bafile, Cara (January 13, 2002)."Getting Kids to 'Do Something'!".Education World.Retrieved2013-12-26.
  3. ^"An Interview with Andrew Shue".Teenink.com.Retrieved29 December2014.
  4. ^"Who We Are - DoSomething.org - Volunteer for Social Change".www.dosomething.org.Retrieved16 July2018.
  5. ^Elliott, Stuart (2013-06-06)."Nonprofit Group to Help For-Profit Marketers Reach Youth".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  6. ^"Home".TMI Strategy.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  7. ^Abrams, Tamar (13 January 2011)."Teens for Jeans: It's Better to Give Than to Receive".Huffington Post.Retrieved10 September2014.
  8. ^"Our Press".DoSomething.org.Archived fromthe originalon August 22, 2011.
  9. ^"[ I *heart* NYC ] Teens for Jeans with Nigel Barker".aanaizphotography.com.A. Anaiz Photography. 10 February 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 11 August 2011.Retrieved10 September2014.
  10. ^Yaneza, Rickey (25 January 2011)."jayjeans".Rickey LLC.Archived fromthe originalon 9 September 2012.Retrieved10 September2014.
  11. ^"Nikki Blonsky Helps Support DoSomething.org's Teens for Jeans".PopEater.Retrieved29 December2014.
  12. ^"chace crawford wants your jeans!".Seventeen Magazine. 27 January 2009.Retrieved10 September2014.
  13. ^https://www.dosomething.org/us/campaigns/certified-bestie[bare URL]
  14. ^"Virtual babies warn teens of pregnancy".NY Daily News.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  15. ^abcdef"Who We Are | DoSomething.org | Volunteer for Social Change".www.dosomething.org.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  16. ^"From slack to act: How millennials are redefining political movements".Washington Post.2016-08-23.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  17. ^ab"6 Shocking Truths About Cigarettes and the Environment".AlterNet.2015-08-06.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  18. ^"Grandparents Gone WIRED: Teach Your G-Parents Emojis and Win Major Cash!".Cambio.2015-12-02.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  19. ^"iJustine teams up with DoSomething to teach tech to old folks".The Daily Dot.2014-11-12.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  20. ^Mic."Thanks to These Tweets, the Definition of" Nude "Is No Longer Racist".Mic.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  21. ^Allen, Samantha (2016-08-25)."The Fight to Give Homeless Women a Dignified Period".The Daily Beast.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  22. ^"Ingrid Nilsen Asks Fans To Donate Period Products To Homeless Shelters In New PSA".Tubefilter.2016-07-14.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  23. ^"How These 3 Women Are Working to Make" Menstrual Equity "a Reality".Cosmopolitan.2016-11-17.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  24. ^Leonowicz, Rex."Why Colton Haynes Wants You to Get Out a Pen and Paper".Teen Vogue.Retrieved2016-11-19.
  25. ^"DoSomething.org and H& Launch 'Comeback Clothes' Campaign With Olivia Wilde -- NEW YORK, April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --".Prnewswire.com. 17 April 2014.Retrieved29 December2014.
  26. ^"Customer Service FAQ".H&M.Retrieved22 April2021.
  27. ^"Notes From Shawn".Dosomething.org.Retrieved29 December2014.
  28. ^"2011 Do Something Awards".Dosomething.vh1.com. Archived fromthe originalon July 7, 2012.Retrieved29 December2014.
  29. ^Brown, Len."Demi Lovato to Perform at Do Something Awards".The Insider. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-06-12.Retrieved2011-10-18.
  30. ^"Ben Affleck, Lea Michele, Will.i.am, other celebs honored at Do Something Awards".Entertainment Weekly.August 20, 2012.
  31. ^[1]ArchivedSeptember 13, 2012, at theWayback Machine
  32. ^Lii, Jane (Mar 30, 1997)."Building a Nest Egg, and a Community".New York Times.Retrieved25 November2013.
  33. ^Michels, Spencer (May 1, 2009)."For Those With Low Incomes, Help Creating a Credit History".PBS Newshour.Retrieved25 November2013.
  34. ^[2]ArchivedDecember 11, 2013, at theWayback Machine
  35. ^"Net Literacy -".
  36. ^"Senior Connects - Net Literacy".www.netliteracy.org.
  37. ^"Computers for Communities".
  38. ^"Jessica Posner's 'Do Something' Victory Gives $100K To Kenyan Slum Project".Huffington Post. 20 July 2010.Retrieved26 October2012.
  39. ^"Lublin Fired, Crisis Text Line Board Apologizes To Staff".The NonProfit Times.Retrieved2020-09-12.
  40. ^"Employees of Social Change Nonprofit Stage Walkout to Protest 'Racial Abuse'".www.vice.com.8 September 2020.Retrieved2020-09-12.
  41. ^"Employee Strife Continues At DoSomething".The NonProfit Times.Retrieved2020-09-12.
  42. ^DoSomething.org."DoSomething.org Welcomes DeNora Getachew as Chief Executive Officer".www.prnewswire.com.Retrieved2021-04-30.
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