PRESS RELEASE: QUEERSPACE collective announces grant from Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation

Dustin
4 days ago
2 min read

QUEERSPACE collective joins international cohort advancing youth mental health and wellbeing.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — January 20, 2026 — QUEERSPACE collective (QUEERSPACE) is one of 55 youth-centered organizations across 11 countries selected to receive a 2025–2027 Kindness in Community Fund grant, chosen from a global pool of 4,000 applicants. The Kindness in Community Fund is supported by Pivotal, Cotton On Foundation, Sephora, Haus Labs, and others.

Graphic of 2025-2027 Kindness in Community Fund awardees with each of their logos. Text highlights QUEERSPACE as one of 55 recipients from 11 countries. — 2025-2027 Kindness in Community Fund Awardees

World map showing the 55 "Kindness in Community Fund" awardees across continents: 63% North America, 20% Europe, 7% Asia, 5% Africa, 3% South America. — World map showing 2025-2027 Kindness In Community Fund Awardees by continent

This grant will support the QS Youth Center, the Minneapolis–St. Paul area’s only dedicated 2SLGBTQIA+ youth center in more than a decade. Since opening in November 2024, the QS Youth Center has engaged more than 100 young people, fostering meaningful impact in belonging, self-confidence, and friendship.

“The QS Youth Center is a place of joy and possibility. In a time when Trans youth are under attack, we are dedicated to creating a space where youth can see thriving, healthy Queer adults and set realistic goals to reach their own futures,” said Nicki Hangsleben, Executive Director and Founder of QUEERSPACE collective. “QUEERSPACE was built on the foundation that we all have the right to show up as our authentic selves.”

“It is a testament to each Kindness in Community Fund grant recipient’s work that young people themselves selected them to receive this grant,” said Rachel Martin, Chief Operating Officer of Born This Way Foundation. “With thanks to generous support from our partners, Born This Way Foundation is able to scale the important work of these grassroots organizations, ensuring they are able to help even more young people in their communities.”

As QUEERSPACE deepens local initiatives, the organization is also building toward national reach by developing a virtual mentorship and resource app to support underserved regions nationwide—extending culturally responsive connection to youth wherever they are.

For more information about the 2025-2027 Kindness in Community Fund grant recipients, please visit: channelkindness.org/2025-kindness-in-community-fund-grant-recipients

About QUEERSPACE collective:

QUEERSPACE collective's mission is to create space for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to feel safe and empowered to be their true selves. Their vision is for all 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to have a network of support to help them develop a strong sense of pride in who they are, where they come from, and where they want to go. Through mentorship, workshops, the QS Youth Center, and group hangouts, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth develop increased self-esteem, reduced social isolation, and a greater sense of belonging, cultural identity and pride. Learn more at queerspacecollective.org.

About Born This Way Foundation:

Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, empowers and inspires young people to build a kinder, braver world that supports their mental health and wellbeing. Based on the scientific link between kindness and mental health and built in partnership with young people, the Foundation leverages research, programs, grantmaking, and partnerships to engage young people and connect them with accessible mental health resources. This approach comes to life through the storytelling platform Channel Kindness, the mental health training course Be There Certificate, the youth-led grantmaking program Kindness in Community Fund, and more, reaching thousands of young people around the world each year. Learn more at bornthisway.foundation.