191. Where Mariah Carey donates her money

Welcome to Progressive Pockets! I go by GG, that’s short for Genet Gimja. This is a show about money but not in the usual way that we talk about it. This show is about the power our money has to improve the world around us, our communities, the health of our planet. All of us have this power, we don’t have to be billionaires.

That being said, it can be fun to talk about what the super rich are doing with their money LOL. Every summer on this podcast, I like to dig into what our favorite celebrities are doing in terms of where they donate their money.

Today’s episode is about Mariah Carey. I read her memoir a few years ago and loved it and I enjoyed researching her giving for today’s episode. I will include a few links, including a link to Mariahpedia. A website that I’m so mad I didn’t know existed until this summer.

So where and how does Mariah donate her money?

 , "I want to give hope to those who feel hopeless—especially kids who grew up with less."

Let’s start with Camp Mariah, which is her special partnership with The Fresh Air Fund. In the early 1990s, Mariah became involved with this organization to help city kids enjoy nature and new opportunities. She did more than make donations; she co-founded Camp Mariah, helping to design programs and mentor young people.

Camp Mariah is a three-week career awareness program for youth from New York City. Here, students explore music, theater, science, and more. For many, it is their first chance to step outside their usual environment and imagine a future. Over the years, alumni of Camp Mariah have gone on to attend college, start careers in the arts, and even return as counselors. In 2019, a former camper said, “Mariah showed us someone believed in us when no one else did.”

Mariah’s giving spirit is also clear in her work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since the mid-1990s, she has granted dozens of wishes for children facing serious illnesses. Whether inviting a child to the studio or backstage at shows, she spends extra time with families, and many children have said her kindness helped them forget their illness for a day.

In 2006, Make-A-Wish named her their first Wish Idol, an award given for her extraordinary generosity. Beyond Make-A-Wish, Mariah has supported medical organizations like New York Presbyterian Hospital, contributed to AIDS research through amfAR, and participated in major fundraising drives for disaster relief. After Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, she performed at benefit concerts and joined in organizing relief efforts.

Mariah also turns her talent into a tool for change. When she headlines events like VH1’s Divas Live, those performances support the Save the Music Foundation and other causes. She has donated earnings from her song “Hero” to charity, and her holiday shows have funded toys, scholarships, and community projects for children in need. For example the 2024 Fresh Air Fund gala, where Mariah helped raise over $1.7 million for Camp Mariah and similar programs. 

Mariah has served on charity boards, volunteered with the Police Athletic League, and hosted television specials to spotlight adoption and foster care. She gives support to organizations like St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and helps with campaigns like Make Poverty History. Sometimes she matches fan club donations or provides help after hearing personal stories from fans.

Would you believe that Congress awarded Mariah the Horizon Award for her work with at-risk youth. This recognition is rare for a pop artist but it was given to her in recognition of her ongoing commitment. We love to see it.

So to recap, here’s what we covered today:
We talked about Mariah Carey’s giving. She started back in the 90s and has been awarded for her donations, especially when it comes to kids.
She has also given to support medical work and disaster relief.
I wouldn’t say she has a big, super structured foundation, as far as I could see, but she does have some consistent ongoing programs that she does like the summer camp. So there might be some opportunity for her to spend a little more time really framing that out.

If you have more time today, here’s another episode to check out that’s episode 137 about Taylor Swift’s giving. Before you go, please share this episode with a friend.

Mention the newsletter and what additional info I will include there.

Let’s end with a quote…and I mean, do I have any option other than to quote Hero, her hit song?

Here’s what she says in that song:

"And then a hero comes along with the strength to carry on.
And you cast your fears aside, and you know you can survive.
So when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong,
And you'll finally see the truth that a hero lies in you."

Let’s talk again soon!