Harnessing StarPower for Social Change

American Idol Runner-Up, Adam Lambert announced last week that he will be partnering with DonorsChoose.org the organization of Ashoka Fellow, Charles Best, for the second time in conjunction with his Glam Nation Tour this year. The program, Glam A Classroom, encourages Adam Lambert fans to donate to projects on Donorschoose.org, and it’s working. As one fan posted on the website, "I gave to this project because it is what Adam Lambert wanted!!!"

The Glam A Classroom program encourages fans to sponsor projects, by asserting that in return they will be entered to receive “Glam-orous Prizes!” For every donation, regardless of amount given, fans will be entered to win one of 15 gift cards to the Adam Lambert Official Store. At the end of the campaign, the top 25 givers overall will receive a custom poster and a gift card to the Lambert Store.

Ashoka Fellow Charles Best, founder and CEO, DonorsChoose.org reacted to the new campaign saying, “Adam has outdone himself again! By championing classrooms in need last fall and again on his Glam Nation tour, Adam continues to use his star power for social change. So many students have a tremendous disadvantage simply because they don’t have the learning materials they need. Luckily, people like Adam are encouraging everyday citizens to step in to help.”

This news references an important discussion- How do we leverage starpower to create social change? Obviously, the effectiveness of using starpower to raise awareness and motivate people to contribute is not to be questioned. But, if people are encouraged to contribute to a cause like DonorsChoose.org, is the reason that the fan referenced above, "I gave to this project because it is what Adam Lambert wanted!!!" enough? Does it matter why we’re contributing or just that we’re contributing?

To learn more about DonorsChoose click here.

To participate in the Glam A Classroom Project click here.