In honor of Giving Tuesday (November 28, 2023), which is the annual celebration of generosity that is intended to be a day that encourages others to do good, especially in the times of holidays, we are highlighting some of the major causes that our charitable and generous Backstreet Boys have supported throughout the years.
Over the last 30 years, the Backstreet Boys have been involved in so many wonderful causes. BSB used their platform to spread awareness, gave money when they could, and gave their time, something many of us can do as well! In fact, each of the boys has at one point or another had their own charity or foundation:
Howie D has long been a supporter of research and treatment for Lupus, owed (at least in part) to his sister Caroline, who we tragically lost to Lupus in 1998. Howie co-founded the Dorough Lupus Foundation with members of his family and worked to create awareness and raise funds to support those battling Lupus. Although the Dorough Lupus Foundation is no longer active, as a way to continue supporting this cause, Howie continues to promote Lupus LA, which is a nonprofit serving underserved patient communities in LA, supporting critical fellowship and research to improve treatment for Lupus and provide awareness about the disease.
Brian Littrell started the Healthy Hearts Club to support pediatric patients with congenital heart defects. Brian himself was born with a congenital heart defect and underwent open heart surgery in 1998 to repair a hole in his heart. Naturally, this cause would be near and dear to him. The Healthy Hearts Club was a program which provided education, rehabilitation, exercise, and motivation to children ages 6-16 experiencing congenital heart defects. Although the Healthy Hearts Club is no longer active, Brian and other members of BSB continued to support this cause through the American Heart Association, which provides education and funding to support research on preventing and treating heart disease and the American Stroke Association, which aims to provide education and early response to stroke victims.
Kevin Richardson has always had a heart for the wilderness. He enjoys nature and celebrates all that the Earth provides for us. It is no surprise that he founded Just Within Reach, an Earth organization created to provide environmental education and promote personal responsibility and accountability with regard to the health of the Earth. Kevin has also been known to support the National Resource Defense Council, which works to confront the climate crisis, protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places, and ensure the rights of all people to clear air, clean water, and healthy communities.
Nick Carter is a lover of all things ocean. In fact, Nick was once named a Special Ambassador of the Year of the Dolphin by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Convention of Migratory Species (CMS). Through his Ocean Campaign, Nick encouraged education on environmental issues affecting earth’s largest bodies of water and became active in environmental work to support the cause. His work aimed to protect oceanic wildlife and ecosystems around the globe. Nick’s love for animals has never faded, and he and his bandmates continue to support causes such as The Animal Foundation, which strives to save all healthy and treatable animals in the Las Vegas and surrounding areas and the Nashville Humane Society, working to promote adoption of animals in the Nashville area.
Most recently, Nick has been very involved with two specific organizations: On Our Sleeves, an organization which works to remove the stigma of mental illness by spreading awareness and education to youth and families, as well as Cure 4 the Kids, which is based in Nevada and provides cancer treatment free of cost to pediatric patients battling the disease.
AJ McLean once went by an alter ego named Johnny NoName. This alter ego happened to have a heart of gold just like AJ, and AJ’s foundation donned his name. The Johnny NoName Foundation supported a variety of causes such as juvenile diabetes research and keeping music programs in school. Nowadays, AJ continues to lend his hand to every and all cause he finds worthy, with a specific emphasis on support for the Transgender community. He has recently highlighted Trans Lifeline, a crisis and peer-support hotline specifically for folx of the Trans community to work towards connection, economic security, and care for all individuals including those within the LGBTQ+ community. In 2021, AJ McLean, Nick Carter, Joey Fatone and Lance Bass hosted a charity Bingo game supporting the Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people.
In addition to the many causes listed above, Backstreet Boys members have also worked with several other foundations throughout the years in support of mental health, youth development, service to underserved populations, humanitarian aid, as well as treatment and research related to childhood and adult illnesses and cancer.
Youth Development and Support for Underserved Populations
Salvation Army of Southern Nevada
Humanitarian Aid
First Responders Children’s Foundation
Cancer and Other Illnesses
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
UMC Foundation/University Medical Center
If you are so fortunate, consider donating on this Giving Tuesday in honor of BSB and their charitable hearts! Remember, giving your TIME can be just as powerful as any dollar amount.