Glitzy Giving Donors

J.J. ABRAMS AND KATIE MCGRATH

The director/producer and his wife Katie McGrath have an active foundation that addresses education, policy, human services, the arts, and more.

JESSICA ALBA AND CASH WARREN

Jessica Alba and Cash Warren do not appear to have a formal family foundation. The couple’s companies have a mission-driven element. They also have shown an interest in criminal justice reform.

ALAN AND ARLENE ALDA

Alda’s foundation focuses on early childhood, youth development, violence prevention, and microenterprise organizations that serve the needs of women and families. Alda also has an interest in making science more accessible to the general public. 

BYRON ALLEN

While Byron Allen does not appear to maintain a foundation, he’s funded a variety of work particularly in the Southern California area.

MICHAEL AND CHRISTINE ANGELAKIS

Michael Angelakis and his wife Christine move their philanthropy through the Angelakis Family Foundation, which lacks transparency. The couple also support their mutual alma mater Babson College. Other interests include the arts, and health.

JUDD APATOW AND LESLIE MANN

Funding areas include health and human services, education and youth, individual rights and emergency services, arts and culture, environment, and gun violence.

MINORU AND YOKO ARAKAWA

Minoru Arakawa, his wife Yono, and family move their philanthropy through the Arakawa Foundation, which launched in 2016. Modest grantmaking as only focused on backing a prospective performing arts center in Washington State.

NEAL BAER

Neal Baer does not appear to have a family foundation. He’s strongly involved with Venice Family Clinic, where he sat on the board for a decade. Healthcare is one of his top philanthropic and civic interests.

DAVID BALDACCI

The bestselling author has long focused his philanthropy on supporting family and adult literacy across the country.

ALEC AND HILARIA BALDWIN

A steady giver with a foundation, Baldwin has a number of interests, including environmental causes, education, youth, health and more.

KENYA BARRIS

Kenya Barris does not appear to have a formal charitable vehicle as of yet. Philanthropy has focused on schools with which the family has a personal connection rather than targeted funding in this space, suggesting that the family only invests in personal causes.

BOB BARKER

Barker’s main focus is funding low-cost spay/neuter clinics and voucher programs to relieve animal overpopulation, but he also gives toward other animal-related work.  

CHARLES BARKLEY

Charles Barkley conducts philanthropy through the Charles Barkley Foundation, which gave away $600,000 in a recent year. Barkley strongly focuses on scholarships through his foundation, including with select HBCUs.

GREG BERLANTI AND ROBBIE ROGERS

Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers move philanthropy through the recently-minted Berlanti Family Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ people.

LES AND LYNN BIDER

The longtime music executive and his wife support Jewish causes and the Los Angeles community. 

JAMES BLAKE

James Blake launched the James Blake Foundation, which invests vital seed money at the leading-edge of science speeding the most promising work, and shortening the time it takes to turn lab discoveries into better treatments for patients. 

MATTHEW AND SUSAN BLANK

Matthew and Susan Blank do not appear to have a formal charitable vehicle, but they’ve given steadily to Harlem Children’s Zone in New York City.

MICHAEL BOLTON

The longstanding foundation of the crooner focuses on at-risk women and children, including support to prevent domestic violence. 

BONO

While Bono is a leading voice for the world’s poor, particularly those in Africa, and donates a lot of time to philanthropic causes, it’s difficult to track his own personal giving. 

SCOOTER AND YAEL COHEN BRAUN

The entertainment and media force and his wife fund education and youth, health and the L.A. community, among emerging interests.

JULIAN AND LOIS BRODSKY

Brodsky, a founder of Comcast Corp., and family support arts and culture, Jewish causes, education and youth, and environment. 

JERRY BRUCKHEIMER

If Bruckheimer is giving, he’s doing so quietly. He’s hosted fundraisers and produced public service announcements for several organizations, but he hasn’t yet turned to large-scale giving.

DON AND MAGGIE BUCHWALD

Talent manager Don Buchwald and his wife support his alma mater Brooklyn College. Much of their giving focuses on the arts, particularly theater and performing arts. 

JIMMY BUFFETT

Buffett’s charitable vehicle, Singing for Change, primarily funds projects that serve children and families, the environment and disenfranchised groups. 

STEPHEN AND GRETCHEN BURKE

Funding interests of the top television executive and his wife include education and youth, environment, arts and culture, health and human services. 

JAMES AND SUZY AMIS CAMERON

Cameron is passionate about the environment and exploration, and is just starting to build a foundation to support environmental causes in particular.

MARCY CARSEY

The TV producer has a foundation and a record of giving toward public policy issues and the media. 

JOE AND TRINA CAYRE

Cayre made his money in music publishing and computer games. The bulk of the couple’s philanthropy goes to Jewish causes, with some giving to health and policy organizations.

GEORGE AND AMAL CLOONEY

While the movie star is best known for his work on Darfur, he’s also been involved in other humanitarian and anti-poverty efforts. 

SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS

The music and fashion artist-businessman is a strong supporter of education and youth in his philanthropy. 

SARAH MILLER COULSON

The telecommunications business leader funds education, arts and culture, human services, environment and animals, and health. 

KATIE COURIC

Couric’s charitable work has been shaped by family tragedy, which led her to co-found the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance in honor of her late husband.

KIRK AND JULIE COUSINS

Kirk and Julie Cousins conduct philanthropy through the newly-minted Julie and Kirk Cousins Foundation, which gives modestly. The foundation centers its grantmaking on support religious and educational organizations.

MIKE AND LINDA CURB

The music producer and songwriter prioritizes higher education, particularly university music and music industry programs. He’s given to other causes, as well. 

STEPHEN AND AYESHA CURRY

Eat. Learn. Play. is the philanthropic foundation of the basketball star Steph Curry and his wife, Ayesha. The organization supports food systems, education and recreation for Oakland’s underserved children and youth.

JAMIE LEE CURTIS AND CHRISTOPHER GUEST

Curtis and husband Guest support education, the arts, health, environmental and Los Angeles community causes.

CLIVE DAVIS

The record producer has given to NYU for a music institute that bears his name. But health, particularly cancer research, is another interest. 

CAMERON DIAZ

Diaz moves her philanthropy through Begin Today For Tomorrow, a philanthropic vehicle that supports several causes. She funds health, global and environmental issues.

BARRY DILLER AND DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

Diller and his wife, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, are active philanthropists who have given away tens of millions of dollars to a wide variety of charitable causes through their family foundation. 

CHARLES DOLAN

The cable television industry billionaire’s funding interests include health (pancreatic research), human services, education and youth, arts and culture, and religion.  

TOM AND BARBARA DOOLEY

Dooley is a longtime Viacom executive. The family’s giving focuses on health and human services, and education and youth.

MICHAEL DOUGLAS AND CATHERINE ZETA-JONES

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones don’t appear to have a formal family foundation. Douglas supports his alma mater UCSB.

PETER DOUGLAS

Peter Vincent conducts philanthropy through the Peter Douglas Foundation, which prioritizes Southern California, including the Santa Barbara area.

DR. DRE

The recording artist, record label mogul and audio electronics executive, Dr. Dre (and business partner Jimmy Iovine) gives widely, especially to education.

KEVIN DURANT

The NBA player Durant prioritizes grantmaking for at risk-youth, the University of Texas, social and athletic programs through the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation (KDCF).

MICHAEL AND JANE EISNER

The former Disney chief has a robust foundation focusing primarily on the underserved children and elderly of Los Angeles County, but he’s given to many other issues, as well. 

EMINEM

The rap musician-songwriter-producer funds education and youth, human services and health, and Detroit community causes.

CHARLES AND CANTEY ERGEN

The founder of EchoStar and DISH Network, and his wife, fund education and youth, health and human services, religious, and global causes. 

GLORIA AND EMILIO ESTEFAN

The singer’s philanthropy focuses on Miami, health, human services, youth, and animal care.

KENNETH J. FELD

Funding areas include higher education, performing arts, and conservation, including that of the endangered Asian elephant. Feld Entertainment has operated Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, and other shows.

FRANK AND LORENZO FERTITTA

The billionaire Fertitta brothers made their money through UFC fight promotion. Giving interests include education and youth, health, human services, arts and culture, and veterans. Las Vegas is a focus.

JOSEPH AND MARIE FIELD

The Fields’ giving focuses on arts and culture, education and youth, environment, and global development. Philadelphia is an important region for their philanthropy.

MICHAEL J. FOX

In 2000, Fox established the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which has become the largest and most recognizable funder for such research and treatments.

MORGAN FREEMAN

The actor’s philanthropy focuses on Mississippi, where he resides, and grantmaking mainly involves support of education and the arts.

THOMAS FRESTON

The veteran television executive and his family have supported policy and global causes, education and youth, among other causes. Freston has worked abroad and is on the board of ONE Campaign.

VICTOR AND PATRICIA GANZI

The couple fund projects and organizations that address arts and culture, and education and youth.

PAUL AND MARC GASOL

Brothers Pau and Marc Gasol conduct philanthropy through the Gasol Foundation, which works to reduce childhood obesity rates through the promotion of healthy habits to children and their families.

G-EAZY

G-Eazy launched the Endless Summer Fund to assist under-served communities in the Bay Area. The fund is focused on supporting local organizations working with homeless/LGBTQ youth populations.

ELIZABETH GEORGE

George’s foundation makes artistic grants to unpublished fiction writers, poets, emerging playwrights and to organizations benefiting disadvantaged youth.

ALAN AND SANDRA GERRY

Alan Gerry and his wife Sandra move their philanthropy through the Gerry Foundation. The couple’s giving centers on revitalizing Sullivan County in upstate New York. 

KATHIE LEE GIFFORD

Gifford’s philanthropy focuses on religious causes and institutions, children, health and more. 

BERRY GORDY

The Motown Records founder supports education and youth, arts and culture, health and human services.

DRAYMOND GREEN

The NBA player’s giving focuses on education and youth, and his home state of Michigan. His $3.1 million gift to Michigan State University Athletics is the largest-ever from an active pro athlete to their alma mater.

JUDSON & JOYCE GREEN

The longtime Walt Disney Co. executive and his wife are staunch supporters of music and music education and have given heavily to alma mater DePauw University.

JOHN AND RENEE GRISHAM

The bestselling author gives mainly to causes in Mississippi and Virginia, but he’s also given to national justice groups and global causes. 

KEVIN HART

Kevin Hart founded Help from the Hart Charity to help youth gain access to educational opportunities. He has supported UNCF and KIPP to help students attend HBCUs.

STEVE AND MARJORIE HARVEY

The TV and radio host and his wife fund work in children and youth, human services. 

TONY HAWK

The world’s most famous professional skateboarder established a foundation to create public skateparks, particularly in low-income communities, and to support youth. 

AUSTIN AND GABRIELA HEARST

The grandson of media baron William Randolph Hearst and his wife have supported arts and culture, health, education and youth, and global causes.  

KATHERINE HEIGL

Katherine Heigl, and her mother, founded the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, which aims to “eliminate the needless suffering inflicted on animals by human cruelty, indifference and ignorance.”

STEPHEN AND RUTH HENDEL

The Hendel’s giving focuses on the New York City region, in the areas of arts and culture, Jewish causes, and health.

ALAN AND CINDY HORN

The studio exec is best known for his environmental giving, but he backs education, the arts and other causes, too. 

AMOS AND BARBARA HOSTETTER

The cable TV billionaire funds arts, climate and clean energy, education, and global causes.

ROBERT HOWARD

Robert Howard’s legacy conducts philanthropy through the Howard Charitable Foundation, which predominately supports healthcare, educational, and domestic humanitarian charities.

RON AND CHERYL HOWARD

The director and his wife Cheryl have a foundation, making modest grants that reflect a variety of interests, including the environment, global development and film.

ROBERT A. IGER

The Iger Bay Foundation is the charitable organization of former Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Iger and his wife, television journalist Willow Bay. Giving prioritizes Los Angeles.

BILLY JOEL AND ALEXIS RODERICK

Billy Joel and family move philanthropy through the Joel Foundation, whose grantmaking focuses on the arts and arts education according to tax filings. The foundation gives modest sums to a select few organizations annually, with an eye towards New York City. Unfortunately, the foundation lacks a web presence, which restricts information about grantmaking strategies and deadlines.

DELORIS JORDAN

Beyond her son Michael Jordan’s philanthropy, Deloris conducts work that supports education and youth.

MICHAEL JORDAN

Michael Jordan once had a foundation, but it dissolved in the 1990s. His latest grantmaking prioritizes communities and civil rights.

TOM JOYNER

Tom Joyner conducts philanthropy through the Tom Joyner Foundation, whose mission is to provide programming initiatives and partnerships in support of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) and its communities.

ALBERT AND TRUDY KALLIS

Albert and Trudy Kallis conduct their philanthropy through the Albert and Trudy Kallis Foundation, which produces award-winning film and television programming on a broad range of documentary subjects. It also supports educational and community service organizations by crafting special interest programs, making direct contributions, and endowing scholarships.

CATHERINE HUGHES AND ALFRED LIGGINS III

Hughes, the first African-American woman to chair a publicly held company, founded the Radio One media giant and leads it with her son Liggins. Their philanthropy includes gifts to education, and arts and culture.

ROBERT IGER AND WILLOW BAY

The Disney chief and his wife Willow Bay have a foundation that supports education, youth, and other areas. Health is another interest.

HUGH JACKMAN AND DEBORRA-LEE FURNESS

The actor and his wife Deborra-Lee have a family foundation, which funds children’s welfare, including adoption, the arts and global humanitarian concerns. 

STEPHEN AND KAREN HILLENBURG

Stephen and Karen Hillenburg move their philanthropy through the United Plankton Charitable Trust. The couple focuses on arts and education in Southern California.

SAMUEL AND LATANYA JACKSON

Top actor and film producer supports causes in health, education and youth, and African American arts and culture.

KEVIN JAMES

The actor, who starred in The King of Queens television comedy series, and his family are interested in healthcare, religious, and human services causes. 

LEBRON JAMES

Lebron James primarily conducts philanthropy through the Lebron James Family Foundation, which funds K-12 education and youth.

MORTON AND LINDA JANKLOW

Funding areas by the literary agent power couple include arts and culture, education and youth, health, and human services. The Janklows are top collectors of contemporary art.

ELTON JOHN

Elton John gives primarily through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, but he’s still found time to raise money for other causes.

SHEILA C. JOHNSON

Johnson supports arts, education and youth. She’s given particularly large sums to higher education, and some of this work supports arts education.

ROBERT L. JOHNSON

Robert Johnson primarily funds arts, culture, and global work. He once moved philanthropy through the Robert L. Johnson Foundation, but the current status of the vehicle is unclear.

ANGELINA JOLIE

Jolie and her ex, Brad Pitt, have donated around $30 million through their foundation, which funds health, education, conservation and sustainable development efforts. 

QUINCY JONES

The mega-successful music producer and film/TV composer has a long history of support for humanitarian and youth causes, and arts education. 

JON BON JOVI

The rock star’s philanthropy focuses on housing and poverty issues in his home state of New Jersey. 

LILLY TARTIKOFF KARATZ

Tartikoff Karatz devotes much of her time and energy to raising funds for cancer research.

MELVIN KARMAZIN

Melvin Karmazin does his grantmaking through the Mel Karmazin Foundation. Other areas of interest include health, human services, arts & culture, education, youth and animal welfare.

JEFFREY AND MARILYN KATZENBERG

Katzenberg’s giving is extremely well rounded, though he’s been especially interested in health-related issues, particularly AIDS, and organizations that work on behalf of children. 

RYAN KAVANAUGH

The film financier/producer and founder of Relativity Media gives to causes in children and education, animals, medical research, and Jewish causes.  

LIYA KEBEDE

The Ethiopian-born supermodel and her foundations are active in maternity health and global development, with a particular interest in Africa.

JAMES AND SARAH KENNEDY

James Kennedy and his wife Sarah have made large personal contribution in health, conservation, and education. The James M. Fox Foundation also focuses on these causes. The Southeast and intermountain west serve as important regions of giving. 

SIDNEY KIMMEL

The film producer is best known for his major giving toward cancer research, but he has also given heavily to the arts and education. 

STEPHEN AND TABITHA KING

The horror writer’s philanthropy focuses on the state of Maine, giving to libraries, higher education, and health. 

SIDNEY KNAFEL

The cable television businessman funds education and youth, environment, arts and culture, and health causes.

BEYONCE KNOWLES-CARTER

Beyoncé’s philanthropic efforts focus on girls and women, as well as poverty and other causes.

DEAN AND GERDA KOONTZ

This bestselling author tends to keep his philanthropy close to home in Orange County, California. He supports charities that serve critically ill children and people with severe disabilities.

EMERIL AND ALDEN LAGASSE

The celebrity chef and restaurateur, and his wife Alden, focus their philanthropy on children’s education, wellness and arts.  

STEWART LANE AND BONNIE COMLEY

Both Lane and Comley are Tony Award-winning theater producers and champions of theater. They’re steady patrons of the arts and culture, and education and youth. Major gifts have gone to Boston University, UMass Lowell, and Emerson College.

NORMAN AND LYN LEAR

Lear and his wife Lyn give to a range of causes, with interests in civil liberties, education, arts, media, and more. 

MICHAEL LEEDS

The Leeds family has supported education and youth, and health causes. A major gift went to Leeds’ alma mater, University of Colorado.

DAVID LETTERMAN

Letterman’s philanthropic interests include education, global development and humanitarian efforts, and local causes, mainly in Indiana and Montana.

JAY AND MAVIS LENO

Leno and his wife Mavis invest in education, women’s rights, animals and more. However, public grantmaking has been so far modest. 

KEVIN AND ERIKA LILES

Kevin Liles and his wife Erika have steadily supported educational outfit SEED Foundation. Liles founded the Make It Happen Foundation and the Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore Foundation, exposing Baltimore youth to social, educational, economic, cultural and civic opportunities.

GEORGE AND FRAYDA LINDEMANN

George Lindemann, his wife Frayda, and family move their philanthropy through the Lindemann Charitable Foundation II., which support the arts, especially the opera. Other interests include education and health. The foundation tends to prioritize Florida.

DICK LIPPIN

Dick Lippin does not appear to have a formal charitable vehicle but has given strong support to cancer research, driven by deeply personal forces. Philanthropy focuses on Southern California.

EVA LONGORIA

The actor’s foundation concentrates on education and entrepreneurship for Latinas, and children’s health. Longoria favors causes in Texas, Mexico, and other regions.

GEORGE LOPEZ

George Lopez founded the George Lopez Foundation, which seeks to create positive, permanent change for underprivileged children, adults and military families confronting challenges in education and health, as well as increasing community awareness about kidney disease and organ donation.

JENNIFER LOPEZ

The Lopez Family Foundation supports increasing women and children’s access to quality health care and health education.

CHUCK LORRE

Funding areas include education and youth, health and human services, global causes. The television producer has funded scholarships at Los Angeles area schools.

KEVIN LOVE

Kevin Love recently launched the Kevin Love Fund, which strives to inspire people to live their healthiest lives while providing the tools to achieve physical and emotional well being.

GEORGE LUCAS AND MELLODY HOBSON

Lucas is a major longtime supporter of education, though lately, he’s been focused on building the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum.

DAVID LYNCH

Lynch’s giving is laser-focused on transcendental meditation, which he believes is a powerful tool that can transform education, positively impact people’s lives, and ultimately lead to world peace.

MICHAEL AND JAMIE LYNTON

Lynton and his wife Jamie mainly fund schools in the Northeast, but they have given for human services, health, and other causes.

SETH MACFARLANE

The producer of television’s Family Guy and other series has begun to develop his philanthropy with support for journalism and media integrity.

MADONNA

Madonna’s Ray of Light Foundation supports organizations around the world working to promote peace, equal rights and education for all.

GREG AND SHARON MAFFEI

Funding interests from the Liberty Media executive and his family include education and youth, health, and the Denver community. 

GARY MAGNESS AND SARAH SIEGEL-MAGNESS

Important sites of giving are Los Angeles and Denver. Causes include human services and health, education and youth, arts and culture, environment, and global needs.

JOHN AND LESLIE MALONE

The media mogul gives mainly to higher education, programs for gifted K–12 students and conservation. 

STEVE MARTIN

Through his charitable foundation, Martin mainly gives for arts and culture, but also supports the environment and health.

GILBERT AND ANN MAURER

Gilbert, a longtime Hearst Corporation executive, and his family focus their philanthropy on the arts, including poetry, music, and theater.

LOWRY AND PEGGY MAYS

The giving of the Clear Channel co-founder is quite diverse, mostly concentrated in Texas. 

PAUL MCCARTNEY

McCartney is known primarily for his support of animal rights and environmental organizations, though he’s also championed a number of humanitarian causes, and supports charities that fight cancer.

RED AND CHARLINE MCCOMBS

The Clear Channel co-founder and his wife focus their giving in Texas. They give major amounts to higher ed, but also to arts and culture, and human services and health.

MATTHEW AND CAMILA MCCONAUGHEY

The actor’s foundation focuses on youth well-being and fitness. It also funds health causes. 

SARA MILLER MCCUNE

Sara Miller McCune cofounded the McCune Foundation with her late husband George McCune. The foundation supports projects that address critical issues in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties by empowering and mobilizing excluded populations. She also launched The Social Justice Foundation.

LUIGI CAIOLA AND SEAN MCGILL

Luigi Caiola and his husband Sean McGill move their philanthropy through the recently-minted McGill Caiola Charitable Foundation. The couple focus much of their giving on the arts. 

VINCENT AND LINDA MCMAHON

The wrestling promoter and his wife Linda provide support for youth and women, focusing mainly in Connecticut; they also fund human services outfits and health.

BARRY AND WENDY MEYER

The longtime Warner Bros. Entertainment executive and his wife fund causes in education, children’s and civil rights, arts and culture, health and human services, humanitarian, and Jewish causes. Los Angeles is a region of giving.

LORNE AND ALICE MICHAELS

This successful television producer has interests in education, health and more. He and his wife Alice primarily fund causes in New York City and the greater Northeast.

BETTE MIDLER

Midler gives to the environment and civic space, arts and culture, health, education, human services and humanitarian causes.

ARNON MILCHAN

The film producer’s philanthropy does not go through a formal family foundation and so is hard to track fully, but funding has gone to his native Israel and to the arts. He is an avid art collector and a former soccer star. 

LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA AND VANESSA NADAL

The celebrated writer of the Broadway musical Hamilton, and his wife, support humanitarian and Latino causes. 

BEN MOSS III

The Moss family focuses philanthropy on health, medical research, and arts and culture. Grantees include Mount Sinai, American Film Institute, and American Friends of the Toronto International Film Festival.

JERRY AND TINA MOSS

The former music mogul gives away a million or more every year through the Moss Foundation, spreading his money out pretty evenly among a number of causes, including arts, health, education and the environment.

ALONZO AND TRACEY WILSON MOURNING

Alonzo and Tracy Mourning conduct philanthropy through the Mourning Family Foundation (MFF), which focuses on youth development through advocacy, education and enrichment. MFF focuses on the South Florida community.

JAMES AND KATHRYN MURDOCH

Murdoch launched the Quadrivium Foundation with his wife Kathryn in 2013. They’ve set their sights on a variety of causes, most notably the environment.

RUPERT MURDOCH

Media mogul Murdoch has long been criticized for his lack of philanthropy, but his massive fortune has to go somewhere eventually.

MARC AND JANE NATHANSON

Marc and Jane Nathanson move philanthropy through the Jane and Marc Nathanson Foundation, though the vehicle appears to have been depleted of assets for quite some time. The couple have a few key interests, including policy, and health.

GABE NEWELL

Gabe Newell does not appear to have a formal charitable vehicle. He funds and co-founded an educational company called Foundry10, which explores non-traditional learning.

N.J. NICHOLAS JR.

N. J. Nicholas Jr. and his family move their philanthropy through the Nicholas Family Charitable Trust, which awarded under $250,000 in a recent year.

DIRK AND JESSICA NOWITZKI

Born in Germany, Dirk Nowitzki joined the NBA in the 1998 Draft. He spent his entire NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks, where he became an 14-time All-Star, an NBA champion, and the first European-born player to win MVP. One of the greatest NBA players of all time, he retired in 2019.

BILL O’REILLY

Funding interests have addressed education and youth, health, veterans and soldiers, religious, human services and humanitarian causes.  

MO OSTIN

The former Warner Bros. Records executive has a foundation that’s given to various causes over the years, predominately to UCLA, the arts, and more. 

RICHARD AND LAURA PARSONS

The family’s philanthropy focuses on New York City and the Northeast, with an emphasis on education and the arts.

JAMES PATTERSON

Novelist James B. Patterson’s philanthropy focuses on youth reading and literacy, supporting libraries, reading programs and bookstores. 

CHRIS AND JADA PAUL

Chris and Jada Paul and family move philanthropy through the Chris Paul Family Foundation, which strives to impact individuals and families by leveling the playing field in education, sports and life. The foundation provides resources that enrich and strengthen healthy development of strong communities.

SEAN PENN

Sean Penn founded Community Organized Relief Effort CORE which works on the ground to not only rebuild communities in the face of emergency, but to also create programs that focus on preparedness and resilience.

ISAAC AND LAURA PERLMUTTER

Isaac Perlmutter and his wife Laura move their philanthropy through the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Foundation, which gave away around $1.4 million in a recent year and lacks transparency. The Perlmutters prioritize health causes and have given tens of millions to NYU Medical Center. They also support the Jewish community.

TYLER PERRY

Perry’s foundation aims to transform “tragedy into triumph by empowering economically disadvantaged youth, seniors, and families to overcome adversity by achieving a better quality of life.”

BRAD PITT

Brad Pitt took the lead creating an organization to rebuild New Orleans and has been outspoken on marriage equality.

ROBERT AND VERONIQUE CHOA PITTMAN

The founder of MTV and his wife give steadily through a family foundation for a number of causes, including poverty and the environment. 

WOLFGANG PUCK

Puck is involved in food and hunger groups and supports health and Jewish causes.

JACK REHM

Jack Rehm and family conduct philanthropy through the Rehm Family Foundation, which gave away around $103,000 in a recent year. The family supports schools with which they have a personal connection, particularly College of the Holy Cross.

ROB AND MICHELE REINER

Reiner uses his Hollywood status to speak out and raise money for issues he cares about. He’s been most active in early childhood education, but his interests include a wide array of issues.

SHONDA RHIMES

The Grey’s Anatomy television producer has funded arts, education and cultural inclusion, giving at least $10 million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.   

LIONEL RICHIE

The singer-songwriter funds veterans causes, and health and human services.

RIHANNA

Rihanna launched the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), which funds primary and secondary education, health and emergency response initiatives in the Caribbean and other regions.

TONY AND SAGE ROBBINS

Tony Robbins and family move philanthropy through the Tony Robbins Foundation, which is committed to making a difference in the quality of life for youth, senior citizens, the hungry, homeless and the imprisoned population.

BRIAN AND AILEEN ROBERTS

The Comcast CEO and his wife Aileen have given mostly to schools with ties to the family, but have also been involved in medical research efforts.  

NORA ROBERTS

The bestselling author oversees a grantmaking operation with a focus on literacy. It also supports children’s programs, arts organizations, and humanitarian efforts.

DAVID AND VALERIE ROBINSON

David Robinson and his wife Valerie conduct philanthropy through the David Robinson Foundation, which lacks transparency and whose grantmaking has been sparse of late. The couple strongly support IDEA Carver, a charter school in partnership with IDEA Public Schools, in San Antonio, Texas.

SHAUN ROBINSON

An Emmy award-winning TV host and reporter, Robinson’s philanthropy focuses on girls. Her foundation supports work in STEM education, health, arts, and other topics, particularly for girls of color and underserved girls.

JALEN AND MOLLY QERIM ROSE

Jalen Rose launched the Jalen Rose Foundation/Charitable Fund to create life-changing opportunities for underserved youth through the development of unique programs and the distribution of grants to qualified nonprofit organizations.  

PHILIP ROSENTHAL AND MONICA HORAN

Funding areas for the TV industry couple include education and youth, arts and culture, Jewish causes, and health and human services. 

DIANA ROSS

The legendary singer has funded arts and culture causes, and health and human services. 

HAIM AND CHERYL SABAN

Saban and his wife Cheryl have given millions to Jewish causes, hospitals, and women’s empowerment, as well as the Los Angeles community. 

CAROLE BAYER SAGER AND BOB DALY

Funding interests include arts and culture, Los Angeles community, and youth. Los Angeles is an important site of giving.

MARCUS SAMUELSSON

Chef and restaurateur Samuelsson directs much of his philanthropy into food, careers in the culinary profession, youth, and global causes. The health and well-being of people in Ethiopia, where he was born, is a focus.

SUSAN SARANDON

The progressive actress backs outfits working in areas such as women’s rights and civil liberties, but has other interests, too. 

MARTIN SCORSESE

The film director/producer/screenwriter focuses philanthropy on film preservation and history, as well as education and youth. 

JEFFREY SELLER AND JOSH LEHRER

Jeffrey Seller and his partner Josh Lehrer, a prominent photographer and documentarist, conduct their philanthropy through the Seller-Lehrer Family Foundation (SLFF), which funds educational, cultural, and environmental organizations and initiatives.

SHAKIRA

The Columbian-born singer/songwriter is strongly focused on universal education for children.  

M. NIGHT AND BHAVNA SHYAMALAN

Domestic interests involve education reform in Philadelphia. Globally, efforts focus on livelihood opportunities, education, food and water access, and agricultural projects in Africa, India, and Central America.

RUSSELL SIMMONS

Simmons supports efforts to combat slavery and sex trafficking, encourage young people to vote, and fight poverty in New York City. Arts education programming is another top cause.

BUI SIMON

Bui Simon conducts philanthropy through Angels Wings Foundation, which is dedicated to providing vital assistance to underserved Thai children and empowering them through education.

PAUL SIMON

Simon is a longstanding supporter of children’s health issues but has also raised funds for groups such as amfAR, the Nature Conservancy, and Autism Speaks.

CARL SKOGGARD AND JOE HOLTZMAN

Skoggard, a writer and translator, and Holtzman, an artist, focus their giving on human rights, civil rights, human services, and progressive organizations.

WILL AND JADA PINKETT SMITH

Along with his wife Jada, Smith supports education, health and social justice. Climate change is also an interest. 

EDWARD W. SNOWDON JR.

Snowdon, through his foundation, primarily funds arts and LGBT causes. Another interest is human services.

IAN SOMEHALDER

The Vampire Diaries star has a foundation that focuses on the environment and animals. 

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Through his Thrill Hill Foundation, Springsteen’s giving mainly focuses on human services and anti-poverty efforts. 

DANIELLE STEEL

Steel lost her son to mental illness, which is her main cause. But she’s also given to homelessness.

BEN STILLER

The film actor-director-producer is particularly focused on assisting people in Haiti and has supported schools and education there.

STING AND TRUDIE STYLER

Sting backs the Rainforest Foundation and Rainforest Fund, which he and wife Trudie Styler founded in 1989. But the couple has also given to other causes. 

DAVID STONE

The Broadway producer focuses on the arts, particularly theater, and sits on various boards. Grantees and board memberships include Second State Theater, Broadway League, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and Casting Society of America.

MERYL STREEP AND DONALD GUMMER

Streep has been an active philanthropist for decades, with a foundation and interests in arts and culture, education, women, and more. 

MAYO AND ELIZABETH STUNTZ

The AOL Time Warner executive and his wife focus philanthropy on health and human services, the Westchester County community, education and youth, and arts and culture.

TIM SWEENEY

While Tim Sweeney does not appear to have a formal family foundation, his company’s Epic MegaGrants has committed $100 million to support game developers and others working with the Unreal Engine. Sweeney is a strong backer of environmental causes.

TAYLOR SWIFT

Taylor Swift may not have a formal foundation, but she has been quietly engaging in philanthropy for years in a wide variety of focus areas.

JAYSON TATUM

Jayson Tatum launched the Jayson Tatum Foundation to positively impact and inspire children, teens and their families through education, athletics and other individual & family building initiatives, and to encourage them to strive to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.

MARGARETTA TAYLOR

Margaretta Taylor does not appear to have a formal family foundation. She supports charities involved with conservation and health.

TIM TEBOW

Tim Tebow launched the Tim Tebow Foundation, whose mission is to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. The foundation focuses on children’s health, including in the Philippines.

STEVE TISCH

The film producer and New York Giants chairman gives to education, arts and media, youth, health and human services, and Jewish causes. 

KENNETH AND LISA TROUTT

Kenny Troutt and his wife Lisa once moved philanthropy through the White Cake Family Foundation, though the current status of the foundation is uncertain . He and Lisa are interested in areas such as health, education, and the arts.

THOMAS AND ALBA TULL

The founder of film production company Legendary Entertainment and his wife fund education, medical and scientific research, health, social services, and other issues.

TED TURNER

Turner supports environmental causes, famously giving a $1 billion gift to create the United Nations Foundation, and $250 million to the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Despite big giving, Turner still has plenty of money left.

DWYANE WADE AND GABRIELLE UNION

Dwyane Wade conducts philanthropy through Wade’s World Foundation, which funds community-based organizations that promote education, health and social skills for children in at-risk situations.

JOHN WALL

John Wall and family move philanthropy through the John Wall Foundation, which strives to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged families and to impact the lives of at-risk youth through mentorship, education and physical activity.

BARBARA WALTERS

Journalist Barbara Walters gives toward education and youth, arts and culture, and health.

DENZEL WASHINGTON

The actor-director-producer and his family support education and youth, including HBCU institutions, human services, and global causes. 

SAM AND LYNN WATERSTON

Veteran actor well known for his work in the long-running Law & Order TV series is a supporter of the arts and environmental causes, including protection of fisheries.

THOMAS C. WERNER

Co-founder of Carsey Werner Television and co-owner of the Boston Red Sox. Funding interests include education and youth, health, human services, arts and culture, Jewish causes.

TOM AND ELLIE WERTHEIMER

The TV producer former honcho at home video and television company MCA and family support health, education and youth, Jewish causes, and community. Steady support has gone to Princeton University.

KANYE WEST

Kayne West founded Art of Culture, which provides free access to the arts for youth. He recently gave a $10 million gift to support a James Turrell piece.

RUSSELL WESTBROOK

Russell Westbrook moves philanthropy through the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation, which seeks to inspire the lives of children, empower them to ask “Why Not?,” and teach them to never give up.

OPRAH WINFREY

The bulk of Winfrey’s giving goes to education, including charter schools, programs that support African-American students, and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa. 

IRWIN AND MARGO WINKLER

The film producer and his wife Margo support education, scientific research, and the arts. Los Angeles is a major site of their philanthropy.

KATE WINSLET

The actress is chiefly interested in autism, but has supported other causes, as well.

DICK WOLF

Dick Wolf and his former wife Noelle moved philanthropy through the Wolf Family Foundation, which historically has focused on education. The current status of the vehicle is unclear.

KERRY AND SARAH WOOD

Former Chicago Cubs pitcher and his wife have been active funders of children’s charities.

TIGER WOODS

Woods conducts philanthropy through the TGR Foundation, which he started with his late father, Earl, in 1996. The foundation has since grown to include the Earl Woods Scholar Program and the TGR Learning Lab. The foundation is laser-focused on expanding STEM educational opportunities for youth.

BOB AND LEE WOODRUFF

Bob Woodruff, an ABC News television journalist, suffered a traumatic brain injury while reporting from Iraq. The Woodruff family started a foundation to help service members, veterans, and their families deal with such injuries, including post-traumatic stress.

TRAE YOUNG

 Trae Young recently launched Trae Young Foundation with the goals of continuing education for mental health problems, particularly cyber and social media bullying. 

ROBERT AND LESLIE ZEMECKIS

The film director and his wife fund arts and culture, education and youth, health and human services, Jewish causes, and global causes.

MORTIMER B. ZUCKERMAN

The media tycoon has given extensively in education and STEM, health, and Jewish causes.