Outside of the spotlight and queening every Christmas, Mariah Carey spends much of her career focused on philanthropy, including one New York City-based non-profit in particular.
The Fresh Air Fund, a non-profit offering summer programming for underserved communities, launched in 1877, and Carey’s support for the group goes back to 1994. At the time, she performed a holiday concert (yes, singing her then-new “All I Want For Christmas Is You”) at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Manhattan. That event alone raised more than $700,000, benefiting her eponymous Camp Mariah, hosted by Fresh Air. Since then, Carey has raised more than $4 million for the youth development non-profit between her personal contributions and fundraising events.
“Mariah has a true generosity of spirit, and we are so grateful for her continued dedication to Camp Mariah and the young people who get to experience the outdoors and learn about new ideas for their futures,” Fresh Air CEO Lisa Gitelson tells ESSENCE.
Today, Carey’s namesake camp with Fresh Air offers free multi-week summer programming for children between 12 and 15 years old. Activities include everything from career conversations to outdoor activities. Over the years, “Camp Mariah has broadened the Career Awareness Program curriculum to continue to meet the evolving interests of campers. Classes such as film, animation, robotics, and environmental science are popular as well as traditional camping activities such as archery and swimming lessons,” Fresh Air says.
The 56-year-old has made giving back a key aspect of her career. Camp Mariah, in partnership with the org, was the singer’s first major philanthropic effort. She has also only donated to those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic. This is what helped her win MusiCares’ Person of the Year Award mere days before the 2026 Grammys.
“I’ve always tried to incorporate messages into my songs like ‘Make It Happen’ and ‘Hero,’” Carey told Billboard ahead of t receiving her award. “It’s just an interesting thing to be able to give back in that way. I didn’t grow up with money. And if you grew up like me, it means even more to be able to give back.”
Theresa Wolters, MusiCares executive director, told Billboard how much the org values that Carey’s influence goes far beyond her music. “She has used her platform consistently to provide tangible support to communities, whether through disaster relief, youth empowerment or programs that help those facing barriers to opportunity. Her work exemplifies the values at the heart of MusiCares: creating systems of care that lift people up and ensure music professionals and communities can thrive,” Wolters said.
Fresh Air doesn’t just offer no-cost summer activities. It also offers college access programs to help students more holistically as they prepare for their next journey. Its NYC-based programs are open to new enrollees.
“It’s such a big thing for me because most of these kids have never been outside of their own blocks,” Carey added, regarding her philanthropy with Fresh Air. “All of us should do what we can to give back something.”