Natasha Bedingfield to Entertain at Paul Mitchell Schools' FUNraising Gala

With their annual FUNraising campaign drawing to a close, Paul Mitchell Schools are gearing up for a spectacular celebration featuring Grammy Award nominee Natasha Bedingfield and a galaxy of celebrity superstars including Betty White, Donny and Marie Osmond, Fran Drescher, Kristin Bauer, Kathy Buckley, and Cookie Johnson (wife of Magic Johnson).

Supporters of the 2012 campaign also include Snoop Dogg. The legendary rapper, singer, record producer, and actor teamed up with Paul Mitchell CEO and Chairman John Paul DeJoria to record a special video message of thanks and encouragement for the students and staff about the FUNraising campaign.

Hosted by DeJoria and Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh, the FUNraising Gala takes place May 7 at the renowned Beverly Hilton, home of the Golden Globes and other spectacular red-carpet affairs. Funded entirely by sponsor donations, the Gala will reveal this year’s fundraising totals and top fundraisers while celebrating all 100 schools in the nationwide network for their efforts in the annual three-month campaign.

In the past eight years, students and staff from the rapidly growing network of Paul Mitchell cosmetology schools have raised over $6 million for worthwhile organizations. Their grassroots, dollar-by-dollar “FUNraisers” include everything from car washes and cut-a-thons to glamorous runway hair and fashion shows that give the budding stylists a chance to show their skills. This year, the network plans to top last year’s record ($1.7 million) with an ambitious goal of $2 million.

“In the nine-year existence of the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation and our eight years of FUNraising, every dollar raised has gone directly to the charities,” Claybaugh says. “We have no overhead: no salaries, no rent, and no utilities. Our accountants, attorneys, and board of directors all donate their time. Even the money raised through our FUNraising Gala ticket sales goes directly to the charities, thanks to our generous sponsors who cover the costs. Most important, our FUNraising expenses are little to none: the cost incurred in raising the $6 million has been just $107,255—an amazingly low 1.78%, compared to the national average of 25%. In other words, we don’t spend $100 trying to raise $200!”

This year’s recipients include Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Morris Animal Foundation, the Magic Johnson Foundation, the Gary Sinise Foundation, Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Foundation, Food 4 Africa, Best Friends Animal Society, No Limits, and the schools’ own nonprofit Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation.

To learn more about Paul Mitchell Schools’ FUNraising activities, celebrity partners, and charities please visit www.paulmitchellschoolsfunraising.org.

About Paul Mitchell Schools

At Paul Mitchell Schools, we believe that education is an adventure and the learning experience needs to be fun. Our instructors—we call them “learning leaders”—are trained to draw out the artist in every student and prepare them to compete in the real world. Through our annual “FUNraising” campaign, we’ve raised and donated millions of dollars in support of many charitable causes. We’ve built homes with Habitat for Humanity, fed thousands of African orphans, and supported the victims of AIDS, breast cancer, homelessness, abuse, and hundreds of other causes.

Established 30 years ago, the Paul Mitchell network is nearly 100,000 salons strong and in 81 countries worldwide; every professional hairdresser knows the Paul Mitchell name. Now, with the arrival of Paul Mitchell Schools, we’ve taken the world of cosmetology education by storm! Visit www.paulmitchell.edu to learn more.