Stars who give lots of money to charity
Many celebrities have given away millions over the years, supporting national and international charities. Some of them make huge donations when disaster strikes, for example when hurricanes, bushfires, and COVID shook the world. The Giving Back Fund listed 30 celebrities who donated millions. Click further to see if your idol is on the list!
The handsome actor from Australia naturally rushed to help when money was needed in the fight against the Australian bushfires. He was very public with the issue, posting on social media and calling for help amongst his peers, fellow actors, and fans.
He made a contribution of $1m to the cause and has funded organizations helping animals and promoting human rights.
The actor is the son of a substitute teacher, putting education very close to his heart. He gives grants to community schools in Central Texas and LA; inspires those who struggle with AIDS and cancer to keep fighting; and donates his earned cash to whole communities.
He established the Just Keep Livin’ Foundation after playing an illness survivor in the Dallas Buyer’s Club and raised an incredible $1,537,292.
This cute couple has seen those who need the most help and started there. For example, they donated $1m to help those most affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
The Deadpool star Reynolds said on his Instagram: "COVID-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low-income families… Blake and I are donating $1 million to be split between Feeding America and Food Banks Canada. If you can give, these orgs need our help."
Britain’s best-loved chef. His efforts to try and change school meals forever will always be one of Jamie’s most worthwhile causes.
In 2017, he was on the list of the top 10 most generous UK celebrities as, in that year alone, he donated over $2m towards food education and work training.
This actress donates to causes close to her heart. She is so much more than a beautiful woman with an Oscar.
She donated $2 million to Kosair Children’s Hospital in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky in 2016 and supports programs for the arts in Louisville through her foundation, the Jennifer Lawrence Arts Fund.
The couple has been supporting those who are on the frontline. They have aided emergency services and healthcare workers, as well as donating more than $1m to COVID-19 causes - including the NHS in the UK.
They also donated $1m to Lebanese relief charities after the capital, Beirut, was left devastated by an explosion. Amal Clooney, a human rights lawyer, was born in Beirut.
The late singer, who sadly passed in 2016, was known for secretly donating to strangers. In fact, once he gave a contestant on 'Deal or no Deal' a huge sum of cash to get IVF treatment.
He made the biggest impact on Childline, a counseling service set up to help children in trouble or suffering trauma. "Over the years he gave us millions..." Childline founder Esther Rantzen said. She also said that nobody knew "how much he gave to the nation’s most vulnerable children."
The singer/musician created his Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation which assists those experiencing poverty. He has now opened three 'pay-if-you-can' restaurants, builds houses for homeless veterans, and donates to train service dogs.
If that isn’t enough, the 'Living on a Prayer' singer has donated $1 million each to aid reconstruction after Hurricane Katrina and a further $1 million after Hurricane Sandy.
Lady Gaga supports a total of 76 different charities and organizations, most notably, the M·A·C AIDS Fund, The National Alliance to End Homelessness, Re*Generation, and STANDUP FOR KIDS, both charities dedicated to creating futures for children with emotional, social, and behavioral issues.
The two-time Grammy winner and actress also donated all of the proceeds ($500,000) of one of her Monster Ball shows to the relief fund set up in the wake of the Haiti earthquake.
Many know Emma Watson for delivering speeches and highlighting issues such as gender equality, human rights, and women’s issues. The Harry Potter actress has also reportedly been a victim of harassment herself, which is why these issues are so very close to her and why she spends her time and a lot of cash on bringing these matters into the spotlight.
She donated $1.3m to the UK Justice and Equality Fund in 2018 to help those who have suffered harassment.
The actress promoted V-Day, a festival that aims to start a global movement to stop violence against women and girls around the world. She has helped raise $50m over the years for this cause.
She has helped raise $50m over the years for this cause. The actress said, "Any time you’re helping someone is very important."
This Hollywood couple started their Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation which focuses on the arts and education. The talented artistic family has improved many families’ lives through giving via their foundation and also donating to several other organizations.
One year, they gave an estimated total of $1.3m to several charities.
Oscar-winning actress and her husband help support hunger, homelessness, education, and human rights.
Via the Silver Mountain Foundation of the Arts, they give away approximately $1m a year to these causes. In 2009, Streep made a very steep donation of $4m to the charity and once donated $1.2m to Vassar College.
The singer, like other celebrities, has donated to disaster causes, including $1m after flooding in Louisiana and $10,00 in aid after the Tennessee wildfires.
She likes to reward her fans and has been known to help them through times of hardship; but she also strongly helps and promotes music education: as she did in 2012 when she gave $4m to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Of course, everyone remembers the horrific Manchester bombing at her concert in May 2017. In the aftermath, Ariana Grande hosted a benefit concert and donated all proceeds to those affected by the attack. Digital Spy claims she raised $24.5m.
She also teamed up with BetterHelp to raise $5 million to donate for mental health. On social media, the singer acknowledged that "very real barriers when it comes to accessing mental health resources, and while this is only one small gesture."
Named one of the most influential people in the world by Time in 2017, Neymar Jr has done a fantastic job helping provide education and health services for children in the community of Praia Grand, São Paulo.
He raised around £5m for Instituto Neymar Jr, his organization that shares this footballer’s cash amongst those most in need from his home country.
Although the couple divorced in 2019, and their money is currently being eaten up by lawyers and pricey court bills, Angelina and Brad made significant contributions to charities.
They contributed 25% of their earnings to their foundation, helped build green homes in New Orleans, and gave over $8m to help refugees. Jolie also donated $1m to fight child hunger during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The former footballer and Spice Girl contribute to various organizations via their Victoria and David Beckham Charitable Trust.
They also auction off personal items to raise money. David Beckham donated $4.5m of his salary in 2013 to children’s charities and has been known to donate millions to support veterans, those suffering hunger and poverty, and AIDS causes.
'The Passion of Christ' director and Hollywood actor has given away $10m to reimburse hospitals for healthcare given to children.
He also donated $1m to the relief fund set up after Hurricane Stan in Mexico. Catholics especially applaud his philanthropy, having donated around $15 million in total over the years to the Holy Family Catholic Church.
The football player actually auctioned off his Ballon d'Or trophy in 2017 and donated the proceeds to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
He has given millions over the years to help children in health care and those facing poverty. In 2015, the Portuguese football player donated an incredible $6.4m to aid relief efforts after the earthquake in Nepal which killed almost 9,000 people and left 3.5 million citizens homeless.
Rihanna has spread her fortune over several charities which she supports through her Clara Lionel Foundation.
She has donated over $5m towards organizations that run food banks, and support students from the Caribbean seeking higher education and, in fact, she is one of many to thank for the COVID-19 vaccine, as her cash was donated to help research.
The former Beatle boasts quite a large fortune: some $1.2 billion. No one is quite sure as to the amounts of his donations as he doesn't tend to publicise his generosity, but journalists did figure out he donates a lot.
We know he has supported PETA, The OneVoice Movement, and Meat Free Monday; and he has also been known to give entire earnings from his shows (which can amount to millions) entirely to non-profit organizations.
With a combined net worth of over $1.5 billion, this couple has worked hard to give to those who need it most, focusing on civil rights, addiction, education, and helping children worldwide. They pay school fees, promote education for people of color, and even support environmental causes.
After the protests in Baltimore for the Black Lives Matter movement, Jay Z reportedly wired over the bail money for the protesters involved; while Beyoncé donated $7m in relief after Hurricane Katrina. Together, they are one of the greatest philanthropic couples in the world.
Deservedly, Beyoncé gets her own name on this list, aside from the work she does with her husband. The singer donated her $4m salary for her role in 'Cadillac Records' to the Phoenix House, a rehab center for drug addicts.
She also paired up with former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and donated $6m to the coronavirus relief effort, which supported frontline workers and those most affected by the pandemic. Her foundation, BeyGood, has helped many in need over the years.
An inspiration to many, this NBA star helped his team give away more than $3m to causes related to the military, education, and those suffering from hunger.
He donated $2m to the Hurricane Florence relief efforts and a whopping $10m to open two new medical clinics in his hometown. He has been Make-A-Wish’s Chief Wish Ambassador since 2008 and in 2019 celebrated 30 years of supporting the charity.
One of the best actors of our time is also one of the most generous. He has supported many environmental organizations with a large focus on environmental protection and conservation.
He joined those donating to the Australians, giving $3m for wildlife relief efforts and supporting disaster relief around the world. In 2016 alone, he donated $15m.
The Facebook founder and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have pledged to give away 99% of their wealth to charity over the course of their lifetimes. That could amount to rather a lot as, currently their combined wealth sits at around $114 billion.
They focus on organizations that provide equal opportunities and unlock human potential, like their own foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to which he donated $ 1.8 billion in stock in 2017.
The UK’s biggest philanthropist. Elton John joined many celebrities in 2019 to donate $1m towards the Australian bushfire relief, but that is just the tip of the iceberg of charitable giving for this world-famous singer.
In both 2015 and 2016, he is recorded to have donated $38m each year to various charities, although his longest project has always been in supporting AIDS causes, which he started in the 80s.
Although the names may not be familiar to all readers, this couple has become one of the world's leading philanthropist partnerships.
They made a record donation with the Ressler-Gertz Foundation of $10,595,002 which shot them to the top of the list of the 30 Most Generous Celebrities compiled by The Giving Back Fund. The actress and investment firm co-founder have over $136 billion in assets.
With a net worth of $3.5 billion, it is no surprise that Oprah is one of the world’s biggest contributors to charities.
She donated $10m to those who needed it most during the coronavirus pandemic crisis; and aided those who suffered from Hurricane Katrina with a whopping $10m donation, but she also supports education and health care for women and children around the world. She gave her own charity, The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, an incredible $58.3m in 2007, which was spread out over several organizations.
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