Tim Cook Makes Personal Donation to Gay Rights Campaign in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi

Apple CEO Tim Cook, the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 1,000 company, is donating money to help find a gay rights campaign in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Project One America, an initiative of the Human Rights Campaign, is a public relations effort to "build acceptance for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in the states." Some campaign efforts include advertising on TV, posting flyers, and more. While the amount of Tim Cook's contribution was not disclosed, the organization called it a "substantial" investment.

"We hope Tim Cook's substantial personal investment inspires others to support this vital and historic project," a spokesman for Human Rights Campaign said in an email. Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet confirmed the donation, saying "It's a personal donation from Tim."


Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign, announced the donation in blog post on the organization's website.

When Tim first learned about HRC's Project One America – our bold, comprehensive campaign to dramatically advance equality for LGBT Americans in Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi – he said, “I'm in.” Thanks to his generous personal financial investment in the program, together we will move the needle forward at the local and state level, tearing down misperceptions and providing concrete protections for those who need it most.

In 2015, we'll continue this work with greater urgency than ever before. And thanks to the deep, personal generosity of Tim Cook, and the support of our 1.5 million members and supporters across the country, we'll keep making progress every day.

Back in October, Tim Cook wrote a powerful personal essay on being gay and social progress.


Read More via ABC News