Chappell Roan Launches The Midwestern Princess Project Supporting LGBTQ+ Communities And Trans Youth

Global pop star Chappell Roan announced the launch of The Midwest Princess Project, a nonprofit initiative supporting organizations that provide resources for trans youth and uplift LGBTQ+ communities.

Roan, who is known to bring queer joy through her music and performances, has been vocal about marginalized communities and mental health as she has ascended to stardom in the past few years, encouraging fans to learn more about LGBTQ+ access and rights, voter registration, community involvement in local and global aid and mental health resources.

The Midwest Princess Project, which is sponsored by the Catalyst Philanthropy Fund, has already raised more than $400,000 from her recent run of sold-out “Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things” pop-up concerts, including two nights at Brookside just outside the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Roan donated $1 from every ticket sold from her eight-date run in New York, Los Angeles and Kansas City, and the money will be donated to organizations such as the Ali Forney Center and The LGBT Center in New York, L.A.’s Trans Wellness Center and TransLatin Coalition, and The GLO Center and The Center Project in her home state of Missouri.

Some of the funds raised by The Midwest Princess Project also come from partnerships with Propeller and eBay, bringing bespoke activations in and around Roan’s concerts, as well as donations from the industry, friends and show guests.

“I am so excited to announce The Midwest Princess Project! These funds will be donated to incredible organizations making a positive impact for trans youth in their communities,” Roan said in a statement.

After winning a Grammy for Best New Artist, Roan used the platform to deliver an impassioned speech imploring the music industry to better support artists by providing a livable wage and affordable healthcare. Just a week after her plea, Roan launched the We Got You! Fund with support from Backline, which has raised over $500,000 to provide necessary and crucial resources to artists and their teams on the road. She also works with Backline to provide free therapy for her tour staff and crew.

Roan also partnered with Gendered Intelligence and Music Minds Matter to provide gender identity awareness training and mental health resources at tour rehearsals.

“Chappell Roan’s courage to turn her words into action has already inspired lasting change,” Executive Director of Backline, Hilary Gleason, said. “Her support has enabled us to extend care to everyone and support the industry as a whole, not just the names we see up in lights.”

Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed by Songwriters of North America, or SONA, which gave her the Warrior Award for her advocacy in the entertainment industry.

“Chappell has proven that advocacy and artistry can coexist powerfully,” said Michelle Lewis, SONA CEO and co-founder. “By using her platform to speak up for creators and speak out for mental health and fair treatment in our industry, she’s turning her influence into real change. SONA exists to protect creators, and Chappell’s courage reminds the world why that work matters.”

Roan has also made efforts to disrupt the industry by utilizing Fair AXS, making ticketing more accessible for fans while weeding out scalpers and resellers. She has also worked with Cash App to make tickets and merch more affordable and partnered with organizations like REVERB and Musically Fed to reduce her tour’s carbon footprint.

Roan is repped by Wasserman Music and managed by Drew Simmons of Foundations Artist Management.