Celebrity Charity: Stars Who Use Their Influence to Give Back

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Celebrity Charity: Stars Who Use Their Influence to Give Back

Giving back! It’s impossible not to take notice of the large number of stars who have shown their passion for being charitable. Over the course of her career, Angelina Jolie has shown just how much she cares about the lives and well-being of others. After helping to support the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Maleficent actress was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001. In 2006, she launched the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation with now-estranged husband Brad Pitt. The organization helps provide aid to humanitarian crises globally. Us Weekly confirmed in 2010 that the former couple made a $1 million contribution to Doctors Without Borders. Jolie previously told The Telegraph in 2012 why being charitable makes her feel good. “What are we in this world if we can’t be of use to others in some way,” she explained at the time. “It’s a happier life. I had a wonderful mother and I learned a lot about women through her. I have great daughters who teach me a lot about the strength of women and little girls. And I’ve met amazing people around the world who’ve inspired me and taught me to be better.” Beyoncé’s charitable deeds have also not gone unnoticed. She even has a BET Humanitarian Award win and DoSomething.org’s Most Charitable Celebrity title to prove her good will. Not only has the “Formation” singer used her platform to speak out against injustice and social issues, she has also founded the BeyGOOD initiative. [jwplayer qYl9ZELt-zhNYySv2] Through BeyGOOD, the Grammy winner has worked alongside UNICEF to bring clean water and sanitation to the East African country Burundi and helped provide mobile coronavirus testing to Houston’s Black community. In April 2020, her organization pledged to donate to mental health charities amid the coronavirus pandemic. “BeyGOOD recognizes the immense mental and personal health burdens being placed on essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic,” a statement on her website read. “In our major cities, African-Americans comprise a disproportionate number of workers in these indispensable occupations, and they will need mental health support and personal wellness care, including testing and medical services, food supplies and food deliveries, both during and after the crisis.” Shawn Mendes, for his part, has worked with organizations including DoSomething.org and the American Red Cross to help combat worldly issues. He also founded the Shawn Mendes Foundation in 2019, a non-profit that aims to inspire his fans to create positive change. “For a long time, I’ve wanted to find a way to amplify the causes that my fans and I care deeply about, and to help make the voices of our generation heard,” the singer said in a statement, per Rolling Stone. “My goal in launching the foundation is to work alongside my fans, and do everything I can to help provide them with a platform that inspires positive change, and empowers young change-makers.” Scroll down to see how stars have given back over the years. [podcast_block]

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Celebrity Charity: Stars Who Use Their Influence to Give Back

Giving back! It’s impossible not to take notice of the large number of stars who have shown their passion for being charitable. Over the course of her career, Angelina Jolie has shown just how much she cares about the lives and well-being of others. After helping to support the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Maleficent actress was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001. In 2006, she launched the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation with now-estranged husband Brad Pitt. The organization helps provide aid to humanitarian crises globally. Us Weekly confirmed in 2010 that the former couple made a $1 million contribution to Doctors Without Borders. Jolie previously told The Telegraph in 2012 why being charitable makes her feel good. “What are we in this world if we can’t be of use to others in some way,” she explained at the time. “It’s a happier life. I had a wonderful mother and I learned a lot about women through her. I have great daughters who teach me a lot about the strength of women and little girls. And I’ve met amazing people around the world who’ve inspired me and taught me to be better.” Beyoncé’s charitable deeds have also not gone unnoticed. She even has a BET Humanitarian Award win and DoSomething.org’s Most Charitable Celebrity title to prove her good will. Not only has the “Formation” singer used her platform to speak out against injustice and social issues, she has also founded the BeyGOOD initiative. [jwplayer qYl9ZELt-zhNYySv2] Through BeyGOOD, the Grammy winner has worked alongside UNICEF to bring clean water and sanitation to the East African country Burundi and helped provide mobile coronavirus testing to Houston’s Black community. In April 2020, her organization pledged to donate to mental health charities amid the coronavirus pandemic. “BeyGOOD recognizes the immense mental and personal health burdens being placed on essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic,” a statement on her website read. “In our major cities, African-Americans comprise a disproportionate number of workers in these indispensable occupations, and they will need mental health support and personal wellness care, including testing and medical services, food supplies and food deliveries, both during and after the crisis.” Shawn Mendes, for his part, has worked with organizations including DoSomething.org and the American Red Cross to help combat worldly issues. He also founded the Shawn Mendes Foundation in 2019, a non-profit that aims to inspire his fans to create positive change. “For a long time, I’ve wanted to find a way to amplify the causes that my fans and I care deeply about, and to help make the voices of our generation heard,” the singer said in a statement, per Rolling Stone. “My goal in launching the foundation is to work alongside my fans, and do everything I can to help provide them with a platform that inspires positive change, and empowers young change-makers.” Scroll down to see how stars have given back over the years. [podcast_block]

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Dave Grohl

In February 2023, the Foo Fighters frontman spent 24 hours barbecuing to help feed the homeless in Los Angeles. Grohl covered the expenses of the ingredients and ended up feeding more than 450 guests and 50 workers, per TMZ. 

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Meek Mill

The rapper and his nonprofit REFORM Alliance bailed out 20 women in Philadelphia so they could return home for the holidays in December 2022.

"For families impacted by the criminal justice system, the holidays can be an extremely challenging time,” the Pennsylvania native shared via his nonprofit’s Instagram page. “No one should have to spend the holidays in jail simply because they can't afford bail, and no child should be without their parents during this time if we can do something about it. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help these women be with their families and loved ones during this special time of year."

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Keith Urban

Urban visited three Nashville-based charities in December 2022. The country crooner spent time with both staff members and volunteers while also gifting each organization with a generous donation.

"I have a deep-seated respect and feeling of gratitude for the work that all of these organizations do to make people's lives more manageable," he said in an official press release at the time. "Their commitment to community, what they do for Nashville, and for others across the country, is not only inspiring, but it shows how much we can accomplish when working together."

The Australia native donated $100,000 to the Music Health Alliance, which provides access to life-saving healthcare resources for music professionals. The Nashville Food Project, which aims to alleviate hunger across the city, and Thistle Farms, which provides healing for women who've survived trafficking, were given $50,000 each.

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Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

In December 2022, the Young Rock star's small-batch tequila brand, Teremana Tequila, announced a holiday initiative to honor and feed over 10,000 first responders with its Mana Mobile food and drinks truck.

"Our Mana Mobile has been traveling around the country with food, drink and good cheer for all of you and our amazing first responders," the official Teremana Tequila Instagram page captioned a clip outlining the initiative.

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Dick Van Dyke

The Mary Poppins star and TV icon made headlines after he was spotted in October 2022 handing out $5 outside of the Malibu Community Labor Exchange, which helps both employers and employees looking for work. While the legendary actor spent time talking to the people outside, he also joked, per Entertainment Tonight, "You can't do it all the time though."

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Tom Brady

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback announced in September 2022 that he made a donation to disaster relief in Florida following Hurricane Ian. "Happy were able to head home for Sunday night, but so many people in Florida won’t be able to do the same. I’ll be making a donation to the Florida Disaster Fund to get things started, and I’m hoping the rest of the NFL family in our state will follow suit," he tweeted. "Our neighbors support us endlessly, it’s time to return the favor." The Glazer family, which owns the Buccaneers, also said that they will donate $1 million to relief efforts in the state. 

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Lizzo

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, getting rid of individuals’ constitutional right to abortion, in June 2022, the Yitty founder announced plans to donate to causes that support reproductive freedom.

“I’m pledging $500k from my upcoming tour to Planned Parenthood. Live Nation agreed to match — to make it 1 MILLION dollars,” she tweeted on June 24.

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John Cena

The former wrestler broke a new record in June 2022 after it was announced that he has granted more Make-a-Wish Foundation wishes than other celebrities. Cena’s wish record currently stands at 650.

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Dave Chappelle

The comedian reportedly announced during a June 2022 standup show at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York, that he would donate ticket sales from the event to the families of the recent mass shooting at Tops Supermarket, which is in the area. "He said, and I’m paraphrasing, ‘I came here to Buffalo to recognize the victims and for these families,’" Shea’s Performing Arts Center’s director of marketing and communications Kevin Sweeney said in a statement to Entertainment Tonight. Chappelle also invited some of the victims’ families to the show, per the outlet. The mass shooting took place one month prior in the Buffalo area, leaving 10 people killed and three wounded.

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Gigi Hadid

Having to walk the runway at Paris Fashion Week amid the unrest in Ukraine as well as Palestine didn't sit right with the model. She opted to donate her salary from fashion shows to victims of war.

“Having a set fashion month schedule has meant that my colleagues and I often present new fashion collections during heartbreaking and traumatic times in history,” Hadid explained via Instagram in March 2022. “We don’t have control over most of our work schedules, but we would like to walk ‘for’ something. Following in the footsteps of my friend [model Mica Argañaraz], I am pledging to donate my earnings from the fall 2022 shows to aid those suffering from the war in Ukraine, as well as continuing to support those experiencing the same in Palestine.”

She continued, "Our eyes and hearts must be open to all human injustice. May we all see each other as brothers and sisters, beyond politics, beyond race, beyond religion. At the end of the day, innocent lives pay for war — not leaders. HANDS OFF UKRAINE. HANDS OFF PALESTINE. PEACE. PEACE. PEACE. 🕊"

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

Amid the Russian troops invading Ukraine, the A-listers are matching donations to The UN Refugee agency, USA for UNHCR (The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). "In 48 hours, countless Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes to neighbouring countries," Reynolds wrote via Instagram in February 2022. "They need protection. @usaforunhcr is providing it. When you donate, we’ll match it up to $1,000,000, creating DOUBLE the support."

Lively added in her own post that the organization "is on the ground helping the 50,000+ Ukrainians who had to flee their homes in less than 48 hours. @usaforunhcr is providing life saving aid, and also working with neighboring countries to ensure protection for these families."

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Bethenny Frankel

The former Real Housewives of New York City star is helping Ukrainians fleeing their country amid the Russian invasion via her BStrong nonprofit. She announced in February 2022, just two days after the conflict escalated, that $10 million in aid was en route and another $1.5 million was already raised. She said that her crisis kits help with sudden homelessness, but she's making sure that the refugees she helps get cash cards as well.

"When you’re dealing with individuals and families, it’s not a one-size-fits-all disaster. Some people have a tiny little baby, or the woman who just arrived in Poland after her husband had a gun put in his hand and was taken away to fight," Frankel told The Cut. "That’s a different story and that’s where our cash cards come in. These people need money, to get plane tickets, or to get other things they need. So it’s $1,500 to $2,000 per family and we’re helping one family every ten minutes, but if there’s a mass exodus that’s going to increase."

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Keanu Reeves

According to LAPBible, Reeves reportedly donated "around 70 per cent" of his salary from 1999's The Matrix to help with the search for a cure against leukemia. The donation was made while his younger sister Kim was battling with the blood cancer for over eight years at the time. She went into remission in 2001.

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Bella Hadid

In December 2021, the supermodel spent the day after Christmas volunteering with a New York City food bank. “My perfect Christmas," she wrote via Instagram alongside photos of herself handing out bags of food to families in need. "These are a few of my favorite things.”

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Ludacris

In December 2021, the rapper revealed that he's been hitting the streets in disguise to hand out gift cards to people in need. "My pops used to always say 'If you give a homeless person money they’re just going to go buy booze wit it.' I always wanted to disagree with him because as a kid, in my heart I always felt that couldn’t be 100% true," the F9 star wrote via Instagram. "So I’ve been masked up/disguised experimenting in these streets, and giving the homeless food gift cards instead so that they have more of an incentive to buy food."

In the video, the actor approached a person in a wheelchair and handed them a gift card for $50. "I flipped his theory, and i added my own twist to it because I REFUSE to NOT believe in HOPE," Ludacris added.

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Kanye West

The rapper donated "the majority of the over 4,000 toys" for the 4K Giveaway Toy Drive held in the Englewood area of his native Chicago in December 2021, per a press release. "Yesterday, our hometown hero, our modern-day Santa Claus named Kanye realized the need for support of neighborhoods like Englewood or the south side of Chicago and filling in the gap for those children who are without their fathers due to mass incarceration or gun violence," 16th Ward Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman told E! News at the time. "He really filled in the gap by providing not only clothes, but shoes, toys, as well as fresh produce for thousands of families yesterday on the South Side of Chicago."

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Kris Jenner

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum teamed up with Postmates as its “Better Than Santa” ambassador in December 2021 to help grant wishes to lucky entrants.

"It's my favorite time of year and that's why I'm working with Postmates to be Better Than Santa," Jenner explained via a press release. "I couldn't be more excited to be delivering real presents across the Twitter-verse to people on the 'nice' and 'rarely naughty list.’ We want to grant wishes and make people's year. Anyone need a flight home to see their family? Or a television?"

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Jack Harlow

The Grammy nominee joined forces with KFC to donate $250,000 to victims of tornados throughout his home state in December 2021.

“Growing up I always dreamed of being the biggest artist to come from Kentucky,” the “What’s Poppin” crooner shared via Instagram. “Now I’m teaming up with @KFC, the biggest brand to come out of Kentucky. For the next year, we’re gonna do some big things together. It couldn’t come at a better time, as the state needs our help more than ever in the wake of this past weekend’s devastating tornadoes. Together we will be donating $250k to the @americanredcross in support of relief efforts. I ask that you donate whatever you can to help those affected by this tragedy.”

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Dwayne Johnson

Johnson’s Project Rock collection with Under Armour partnered with his former high school football teams in Pennsylvania and Hawaii to donate new sports equipment.

“My family was evicted from Hawaii and forced to move to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,” the action star tweeted in October 2021. “Times were tougher back then, but I will always be grateful to McKinley High & Freedom High for the invaluable lessons of life I was taught. A pleasure to give back.”

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Ariana Grande

The “Dangerous Woman” singer announced in October 2021 that she was teaming up with BetterHelp to “give away up to $5 million in free therapy” in honor of World Mental Health Day. “I acknowledge that there are very real barriers when it comes to accessing mental health resources, and while this is only one small gesture (and a much larger systemic problem remains),” she wrote via social media. “I wanted to do this again with @betterhelp in hopes of bringing access to a few more people and perhaps inspiring a few of you to try something new and prioritize your own healing.”

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Jack Harlow

The rapper announced in October 2021 that he plans to donate to five local organizations in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. AMPED, Center for Women and Families, Grace M. James Academy of Excellence, Louisville Urban League and Metro United Way will all receive money from the musician. 

"I spent all my life fantasizing about being someone that could put Louisville on a pedestal," Harlow told Billboard at the time. "There’s a spirit and pride that runs deep, and it becomes more obvious to me when I travel to other cities and realize that that doesn’t exist everywhere. The city has always been special to me and I think we breed very unique, often laid-back people."

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Beyonce and Jay-Z

The "Crazy in Love" performers partnered with Tiffany & Co. for the Love Scholarship program via BeyGOOD and the Shawn Carter Foundation. The organizations have pledged to give $2 million to students working toward degress in arts and creative fields at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Norfolk State University in Virginia, Bennett College in North Carolina, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Central State University in Ohio.

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

In August 2021, the couple donated $10,000 to Hope for Haiti following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake and flooding from Tropical Depression Grace earlier that month. 

“Our entire organization would like to thank @vancityreynolds and @blakelively for their generous donation to our #HaitiEarthquake Response & Recovery efforts," the organization announced on Instagram. "This donation will help empower our team to continue to respond in the hardest-hit areas of southern Haiti in the days and weeks to come.”

One month later, the pair pledged to match donations to the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund up to $1 million. 

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Naomi Osaka

"Really hurts to see all the devastation that's going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can't catch a break. I'm about to play a tournament this week and I'll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti," the tennis pro tweeted in August 2021 after the island was hit by a massive earthquake. "I know our ancestors blood is strong [and] we'll keep rising."

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Luke Combs

The country crooner quietly donated to a GoFundMe page to help cover the funeral costs of three young men who died after attending his concert. Kole Sova, William “Richie” Mays Jr. and Dawson Brown attended the “Better Together” singer’s July 2021 performance at the Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan. The next day, the men were found dead in their travel trailer of assumed carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a CBS News report.

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Pharrell Williams

The singer awarded more than 30 Black and Latinx business founders around $15,000 through his nonprofit organization, Black Ambition. He also awarded one entrepreneur $1 million.

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Mackenzie Scott

Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife announced in June 2021 that she and new husband Dan Jewett donated $2.7 billion to 286 different “high-impact organizations in categories and communities that have been historically underfunded and overlooked,” including nonprofits, charities and other organizations during the first quarter of the year.

“Over 700 million people globally still live in extreme poverty,” Scott wrote in a Medium post. “To find solutions, we all benefit from on-the-ground insights and diverse engagement, so we prioritized organizations with local teams, leaders of color, and a specific focus on empowering women and girls.”

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Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas

"There is a desperate need to support the exhausted health infrastructure, breaking under the pressure of a ferocious second wave of COVID-19. With more than 300,000 recorded cases every day — higher than any other country in its peak — the health system is on the brink of collapse. So we feel the best way to help is to provide the support it needs," the couple, who wed in 2018, explained via an April 2021 fundraiser to provide supplies for vaccination and testing sites in India amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Justin Bieber

The musician visited California State Prison in Los Angeles county in March 2021 and performed his hit “Lonely” for a small group of prisoners. Bieber also sang three other songs in support of his mission to help spread the word of God and promote his faith-based programs with a pastor.

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The Weeknd

The Weeknd announced in April 2020 that he was going to donate $1 million to relief efforts in Ethiopia amid the ongoing conflict between the government in Addis Ababa and the Tigray region.

"My heart breaks for my people of Ethiopia as innocent civilians ranging from small children to the elderly are being senselessly murdered and entire villages are being displaced out of fear and destruction," the singer, whose parents are from Ethiopia, said via Instagram.

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Kylie Jenner

Teen Cancer America and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt announced in March 2021 that Jenner’s $500,000 donation from sales of her Kylie Cosmetics line went toward the construction of a new lounge for teen and young adult cancer patients. The reality star revealed her intentions to give the funds to the organization in 2017 in honor of her friend Harry Hudson, who survived stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma.   

“Teen Cancer America is an incredible organization, and I’m so blessed that I was introduced to it through Harry,” Jenner said in a statement. “It’s been an incredible process to see this come to life, and I send well-wishes to all patients and their families.” 

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Ken Jeong

The Masked Singer judge donated $50,000 to the families of five people who were killed in shootings at three Atlanta-area spas in March 2021. “Stop the pandemic of hate,” he said in a Twitter video condemning the rise of anti-Asian racism in the U.S. during the COVID-19 crisis.

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Kelly Clarkson

The “Stronger” singer teamed up with Wayfair to rebuild two Lake Charles, Louisiana, residents’ homes that were destroyed by back-to-back hurricanes in 2020. The Kelly Clarkson Show host, who is a brand ambassador for Wayfair, revealed the finished projects in March 2021. "It can take years to rebuild a community, but if we work together to help those in need, we can accomplish a lot,” she said in a press release, noting she and the furniture retailer covered all the recovery and renovation costs for the houses. "I am so happy that Wayfair and I were able to step in to help these families get back on their feet by creating a space they love and are proud to call home.”

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Megan Thee Stallion

Following Texas’ unprecedented February 2021 weather crisis, the “Savage” rapper enlisted the help of U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee and the National Association of Christian Churches Disaster Services to raise money to repair homes for senior citizens and single mothers in Houston, Texas.

"Seeing the devastation and hearing the heartbreaking stories that have surfaced, I knew I had to do something to help my hometown," the “Body” artist said in a statement. "I am so happy that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the NACC and I aligned on the goal of repairing the homes of the elderly and uninsured single moms who are the most vulnerable and often displaced by these kinds of devastating events."

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Jimmy Fallon

The late-night talk show host kicked off the new year with an act of generosity, leaving a $400 tip for a waiter after dining out with his wife, Nancy Juvonen, in January 2021. The pair enjoyed a meal at Kissaki Sushi in Water Mill, New York, the New York Post’s Page Six reported.

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Lexy Panterra

“Christmas is about giving,” the singer captioned an Instagram video hosting a toy drive in her hometown of Sacramento in December 2020. “Thank you to everyone who came out to get the gifts and toys for the kids ! Next year I WILL BE BACK!”

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Khloé Kardashian

The Good American cofounder took her daughter, True, to their local fire station in December 2020 to donate toys for the holiday season. “I know True is young, but I think it is important for her to understand how blessed and fortunate she is,” Kardashian wrote via Instagram. “It’s so important for her to see how we give back to others, ESPECIALLY in such unprecedented times.” The pair dropped off bags of toys after learning that donations were down more than 50 percent during the coronavirus pandemic. 

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Taylor Swift

In December 2020, the “Cardigan” singer gave $13,000 to two mothers, Nikki Cornwell and Shelbie Selewski, who are battling coronavirus. The individuals received the donations from Swift through their respective GoFundMe pages alongside with a sweet, supportive message.

“I read about you in the Washington Post and thought it was really brave of you to share your story. I’m so sorry for everything you’ve had to go through this year and wanted to send you this gift, from one Nashville girl to another,” the Grammy winner wrote on Cornwell’s page. She added a note to Selewski’s page that read, “I’m sending you this gift after reading about you in the Washington Post. No one should have to feel the kind of stress that’s been put on you. I hope you and your beautiful family have a great holiday season.”

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David Dobrik

The YouTuber donated $50,000 in December 2020 to TikTok star Madison Olds as she raises money on GoFundMe to help her boyfriend Derek Jezewsky. Olds, who is hoping to get Jezewsky a stem cell procedure that could help him walk again, has been tagging Dobrik in TikToks to get him to duet with her. Instead, the Slovak native partnered with Postmates to donate $50,000 to the fundraiser. The generous amount allowed the couple to reach their fundraising goal.

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Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone

The couple teamed up with HBO Max in coordination with their new comedy Superintelligence to launch the 20 Days of Kindness campaign in November 2020. The campaign donated $20,000 to 20 different charities during its 20-day run, including Girls Who Code, Feeding America and Make-A-Wish. The pair raised a total of $1.5 million for the charities during the 20 days and gave fans a chance to win a virtual hangout with the lovebirds and take home a Tesla Model X by donating as well.

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Justin Timberlake

The “Man of the Woods” crooner gifted 17-year-old Jake Sitt, who lives with cerebral palsy, with a wheelchair-accessible van in November 2020. Timberlake purchased the van after Jake and his father, Tim, raised more than $35,000 in hopes of buying the van themselves. Now, the family gets to keep the funds to help pay for Jake’s care. "It's my pleasure. Like I said, I heard there was a goal to try to get this van before Thanksgiving. I heard your story and saw a little news clip about it,” Timberlake told the family over Zoom ahead of Thanksgiving. "I was so moved that I want you guys to have this van. I'm going to cover all the costs. I want you guys to have a great holiday. You inspire me, Jake."

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Michael Jordan

The former NBA star donated $2 million of his proceeds from The Last Dance documentary to food banks in Carolina and Chicago in November 2020. “In these challenging times and in a year of unimaginable difficulty due to COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to pause and give thanks,” Jordan said in a statement ahead of Thanksgiving. “I am proud to be donating additional proceeds from The Last Dance to Feeding America and its member food banks in the Carolinas and Chicago to help feed America’s hungry.”

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

The couple donated $500,000 to organizations helping at-risk youth in Canada in November 2020. The pair decided to give $250,000 to Covenant House Vancouver and another $250,000 to Covenant House Toronto ahead of the holidays. "The young people who pass through the doors of Covenant House more often than not have a story marked by extraordinary trauma,” Reynolds said in a statement on the charity’s website. “They are so much more than that trauma. They have so much to offer the world. Matching this gift is saying you believe in them. You believe in the power of compassion to transform the trajectory of a human being."

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Orlando Bloom and Zooey Deschanel

Bloom and Deschanel took to social media in November 2020 to push for crowdsourcing donations for an ailing stunt person. Zach Hudson, who has done stunt work in Bloom’s film Pirates of the Caribbean, was diagnosed with ALS in early 2020. His wife, Monica Braunger Hudson, who has served as Deschanel’s stunt double on New Girl, has been struggling to take care of him and their daughters since they’re unable to get stunt work amid the COVID-19 crisis. 

“If you have a few dollars to spare please consider donating,” the 500 Days of Summer star wrote via Instagram alongside a pic of her and Monica. Bloom, for his part, wrote on the app with a pic of himself and Zach: “He is currently bravely fighting ALS which is progressing much faster than expected. If you happen to be a fan of the movie and/or me please follow the link in my bio for ways you could be a blessing for this wonderful family.”

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Brad Pitt

Amid the coronavirus pandemic in November 2020, the Ad Astra actor handed out boxes of groceries to low-income families in South Central Los Angeles.

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Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds

The actors, who've playfully feuded for years, competed for a good cause in November 2020. Reynolds' Aviation Gin and Jackman's Laughing Man Coffee teamed up with Sam's Club to see which brand could raise the most money for their chosen charities ahead of the holiday season. "You can side with me and not only affirm Ryan is the canned cranberry sauce of human beings, but also contribute to the Laughing Man Foundation, which helps farming communities around the world," Jackman teased, while Reynolds countered that "like mistletoe, Hugh just makes things awkward." 

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Ciara

As the 2020 holiday season grew near, Ciara teamed up with Amazon to surprise a lucky Seattle Children's Hospital employee working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The "Level Up" singer curated a custom home makeover with brand-new furniture and décor. To further give back to the community, Amazon also donated to Seattle Children's Hospital and Why Not You Foundation, the nonprofit founded and led by Ciara and her husband, Russell Wilson.

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Sacha Baron Cohen

The actor donated $100,000 to his Borat 2 costar Jeanise Jones’ community church in Oklahoma City in October 2020. Jones’ parish started raising money for her via GoFundMe after she was unemployed amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“Please consider saying thank you to Jeanise with a tangible gift,” the GoFundMe read. “She’s unemployed right now due to Covid. Previously, she worked on a job for 32 years! She’s faithful! Please consider giving a contribution to simply to say thank you to Jeanise for being 'A moral compass and a light shining in darkness' in this movie. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Sacha Cohen Baron and (producer) Monica Levinson for casting Jeanise in this movie.”

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Kim Kardashian

In October 2020, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star donated $1 million to the Armenia Fund amid the ongoing conflict in the country. The initiative aims to provide food, shelter, medical aid and more to those affected. 

“I’m so honored to be part of today’s global effort to support the @armeniafund. I’ve been speaking out about the current situation in Armenia and Artsakh and having conversations with so many others to bring further awareness to the crisis that we cannot allow to advance,” she said in an Instagram video. “My thoughts and prayers are with the brave men, women and children. I want everyone to remember that despite the distance that separates us, we are not limited by borders and we are one global Armenian nation together.”

Kardashian’s sisters Kourtney Kardashian and Khloé Kardashian followed suit by also raising awareness to the cause via Instagram.

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Miley Cyrus

The Disney Channel alum founded the Happy Hippie Foundation in 2014 “to rally young people to fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBTQ youth, and other vulnerable populations.” She also supports 39 well-known charities, including Make-a-Wish Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, To Write Love on Her Arms, NOH8 Campaign and The Jed Foundation.

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Laverne Cox

As a trailblazer for LGBTQ equality in Hollywood, the Orange Is the New Black actress works hard to amplify minority voices. In 2015, she helped raise more than $1 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

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Emma Watson

A U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador and major member of the HeForShe campaign, the Harry Potter actress is a vocal advocate for gender equality across the globe. In 2018, she gave an estimated $1.4 million to the U.K. Justice and Equality Fund, an anti-sexual harassment campaign.

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Ellen DeGeneres

The Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient snapped a now-iconic selfie at the 2014 Oscars and teamed up with Samsung to donate $1 for every retweet the picture produced. DeGeneres contributed half of the $3 million to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the other half to the Humane Society of the United States.

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Elton John

In 2016, the “Tiny Dancer” singer topped the U.K.’s Sunday Times Giving List for donating a total of $38 million to different charities. His own Elton John Foundation, created in 1993, is a grant-making organization that is “committed to [overcoming] the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keeps us from ending AIDS.”

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Lin-Manuel Miranda

The Hamilton creator supports various Broadway-related foundations, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. In March 2020, he committed $1 million to provide scholarships to actors of color through the Miranda Family Fund.

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Meryl Streep

The Little Women actress has contributed to several different philanthropic organizations through the years, including Oxfam America, New York’s Meals on Wheels, the Coalition for the Homeless and the National Women’s History Museum. Streep and her husband, Don Gummer, founded the Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts in 2012 to support arts education and provide millions of dollars in grants.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

In April 2020, the couple made a $112,000 contribution to Feeding Britain, a hunger charity dedicated to providing good quality food to children and families in need, from profits they earned from the BBC broadcast of their May 2018 wedding. Individually, the pair have also been fierce advocates for patronages like the Sentebale foundation and The Mayhew throughout their royal tenure.  

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also made a generous donation to a cause close to both of their hearts in honor of the prince's 36th birthday in September 2020. CAMFED, a nonprofit organization focused on girls' education and empowerment in Africa, confirmed via Twitter that the couple matched a total of $130,000 raised by the organization's supporters — and shared a special message along with the contribution. "No better way to celebrate what really matters. Thank you to everyone who donated, Harry and Meghan," the pair said.

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Miranda Lambert

The “Vice” singer teamed up with the Waggle Foundation to create the MuttNation Fund in September 2020 to help pets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and their owners in the music industry. With the fund, which Lambert’s nonprofit MuttNation Foundation will contribute to, anyone in the music community who has an animal with medical needs that they cannot afford to pay amid the pandemic will be able to receive aid for the vet bills.

Lambert helped launch the charity effort after her backup singer Gwen Sebastian’s dog fell ill in March 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Lambert’s team wasn’t touring, and therefore it was nearly impossible for Sebastian to keep up with the vet fees. "It was such an unexpected major expense at an already tough time," Lambert said in a press release. "So, it got me thinking that there must be a lot more people whose careers in the music industry have been on pause due to lack of live performance opportunities, and who are struggling with their pets’ vet bills."

She continued: "Because music and mutts are my two passions, I knew I had to do something and thought that starting this fund would help both the music community that’s been so supportive of me, and their pets."

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Taylor Swift

The “Lover” singer donated over $30,000 in August 2020 to a gifted teenager in London named Vitoria Mario who created a GoFundMe page to raise tuition to become a mathematician. She described herself as a “Black 18 year old with a dream” who hopes to attend the University of Warwick, but currently can’t afford it. The “Cardigan” musician replied on the page after being touched by the young girl’s story. "Vitoria, I came across your story online and am so inspired by your drive and dedication to turning your dreams into reality,” Swift wrote. “I want to gift you the rest of your goal amount. Good luck with everything you do! Love, Taylor."

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The Weeknd

In August 2020, the "Blinding Lights" artist held a virtual concert on TikTok, pulling in more than two million viewers who helped raise $350,000 for the Equal Justice Initiative through purchases of limited edition Weekend x TikTok merchandise. The Equal Justice Initiative, founded in 1989, focuses on ending mass incarceration in the United States, combating racial and economic injustices and fighting for equal rights for all.

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George and Amal Clooney

The couple donated to three organizations in August 2020 following a deadly explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, which left more than 100 people dead and 5,000 wounded. "We’re both deeply concerned for the people of Beirut and the devastation they’ve faced in the last few days,” the pair said in a statement to Us Weekly. “Three charitable organizations we’ve found are providing essential relief on the ground: the Lebanese Red Cross, Impact Lebanon, and Baytna Baytak. We will be donating these three 100,000 dollars and hope that others will help in any way they can.”

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Jon Bon Jovi and Jesse Bongiovi

The father-son duo announced that their rosé wine company, Hampton Water, will donate $1 per bottle sold for the month of August 2020 to World Central Kitchen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer scheduled a free live-streamed concert for August 14 at 6 p.m. ET on Hampton Water’s Facebook page. “When the pandemic started and people were struggling across the country, we knew we needed to do something to help,” Jesse said in a statement. “WCK has created an amazing pathway to not only help those in need, but also bring out of work restaurants much needed business. For us this partnership was a no brainer.”

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Zelda Williams

On what would have been the 69th birthday of her late dad Robin Williams, the actress chose to give back to charity. “Today would’ve been Dad’s 69th birthday,” she tweeted in July 2020. “So to honor him (& that glorious number), I will be donating $69.69 to as many local homeless shelters as I can. Join me if you like, but regardless, know I am wishing you all at least one hearty, immature belly laugh on Dad today ♥️ .”

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Beyoncé

Through her BeyGOOD initiative, Beyoncé teamed up with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in April 2020 to donate $6 million to aid mental health organizations amid the coronavirus pandemic. “BeyGOOD has partnered with Jack Dorsey’s #startsmall to provide $6 million in funding to organizations providing mental wellness services, through a key national partnership with UCLA,” a statement on her website read. “The initiative is also partnering with the National Alliance [on] Mental Illness (NAMI) to offer local support in Houston, New York, New Orleans and Detroit.”

The former Destiny’s Child member also launched a new initiative in June 2020 called Black Parade, during which she would help support Black-owned businesses in the U.S.

Three years earlier, she released the remix to “Mi Gente” by J. Balvin and Willy William and announced that all proceeds from the song would benefit Hurricane Maria relief efforts. “I am donating my proceeds from this song to hurricane relief charities for Puerto Rico, Mexico and the other affected Caribbean islands,” she wrote on Instagram about the track.

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Brad Pitt

The Ad Astra actor created the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in 2006 with now-estranged wife Jolie. He then launched the Make It Right Foundation in 2007. The non-profit organization was created to assist in rebuilding a portion of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in a way that’s environmentally friendly.

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‘The Fosters’ Cast

The Fosters alums Maia Mitchell, Cierra Ramirez, Noah Centineo, Teri Polo, Sherri Saum, Hayden Byerly, David Lambert and Danny Nucci announced they were helping to raise money for The Actors Fund in July 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The former costars will virtually reunite and revisit the show’s pilot as part of a one-night special.

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Shawn Mendes

It was announced in July 2020 that the Canadian crooner’s Shawn Mendes Foundation will partner with Global Citizen Year to launch the Global Citizen Academy. The leadership program is available for high school graduates around the world, and will provide accepted students with social impact skills. Mendes’ foundation will award $250,000 need-based scholarships to those accepted into the academy.

“Our world needs young leaders now more than ever,” the singer said in a statement issued to Us. “It’s been truly inspiring to watch so many young activists use their voices. By working with Global Citizen Academy, my hope is that we can empower many more young people around the world with the resources and tools they need to make an impact.”

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Alex Trebek

The longtime Jeopardy! host shelled out $500,000 in June 2020 to help the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission get a new 50,000 square-foot facility up and running for people experiencing homelessness in the area. His generous donation came three months after he gave an additional $100,000 to the same shelter in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Johnny Depp

The actor dressed up as his Pirates of the Caribbean character, Jack Sparrow, in June 2020, to virtually visit with children at Queensland Children’s Hospital. He teamed up with Juiced TV, which is an Australian entertainment company that helps brighten sick kids’ hospital stays by getting special guests to stop by and spread love.

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Halsey

In May 2020, the “Bad at Love” singer made generous donations after the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ”I have been trying to figure out how to help more directly so I have complied [sic] a list of organizations,” she wrote via Twitter. “I’ve donated to a few, and you can too. #BlackLivesMatter.”

Halsey gave $50,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, $25,000 to Reclaim the Block and $25,000 to Black Visions Collective. She also made contributions to The Minnesota Freedom Fund and the Black Lives Matter initiative. “My initial contributions are $100,000 to the various organizations I have included,” she tweeted. “I encourage you and my peers to contribute whatever you can. Every amount counts!!!!!”

The performer announced in July 2022 that they plan to auction off five paintings created onstage during their Love and Power tour. The proceeds raised will be going to the National Network of Abortions, which supports abortion funds across the United States.

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Liam Payne

The former One Direction member volunteered at one of Trussell Trust’s food banks in the U.K. during the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020. “Recently I made a personal, long-term commitment to support the Trussell Trust and their vital work supplying meals to those in need all over the U.K.,” he tweeted at the time. “It was humbling to get involved in my local food bank yesterday, and to meet some of the incredibly passionate people like Carla, Dorothea and Helena who are working tirelessly during these incredibly tough times.” 

Payne added, “I’m glad to be playing my small part as we work towards a future in which nobody needs a food bank.”

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Michael Che

In the wake of his grandmother’s coronavirus death, the Saturday Night Live star said he will pay the rent of NYC tenants who lived within his late relative’s building. “It’s crazy to me that residents of public housing are still expected to pay their rent when so many New Yorkers can’t offer much help by myself,” he wrote via Instagram. “But in the spirit of my late grandmother, I’m paying one month’s rent for all 160 apartments in NYCHA building she lived in.”

Che continued, “I know that’s just a drop in the bucket. So I really hope the city has a better plan for debt forgiveness for all the people in public housing AT THE VERY LEAST.”

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Phoebe Waller-Bridge

In an effort to help with the Australia bushfires, the Fleabag star revealed that she will auction off her plunging, sequined Ralph & Russo suit to raise money for the relief. “We made a plan with Ralph & Russo, who are Italian designers, who created this incredible couture suit, which is the most amazing thing I have ever worn,” the English actress told Us Weekly and other reporters during the 77th Golden Globe Awards press room in January 2020. “We are going to auction it, and the money we raise from it is going to relief to Australia. It's a beautiful idea for the team. So I'm really excited to be part of that.”

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Seth Rogen

The Long Shot star made an appearance on The Price Is Right in December 2019 to help raise awareness and funds for his charity with wife Lauren Miller Rogen, Hilarity for Charity, which aims to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. During his time on the CBS show, he raised a whopping $69,000 for the pair’s charity. Seth and Lauren, who wed in 2011, founded their organization in 2012 after the actress’ mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

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Cardi B

The “Rodeo” rapper loaded up her sleigh — a.k.a. her Target cart — with thousands of dollars of presents for kids in need in December 2019, according to TMZ. The site reported that Cardi B spent about $5,000 on toys, games, dolls, car sets and other gifts at the Miami-area Target and loaded the haul into a moving van with the help of her staffers.

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Ellie Goulding

Ahead of the Christmas holiday in December 2019, the “Anything Could Happen” singer chose to spend her time giving back to those experiencing homelessness in London. She volunteered with homelessness aid charity Crisis, wearing an all-black ensemble and a name tag that read “Ellie G” as she handed out beverages. She previously opened up about her work with Crisis in December 2018, when she tweeted about how it’s “always such a pleasure to work with all the other volunteers and staff” involved with the charity. She described Crisis as a “warm [and] safe environment for people to come in off the street and have some food, a chat or just some warmth.”

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Kit Harington

The outspoken advocate for Mencap, a charity for people with a learning disability, made a large contribution to the organization in June 2019 after Game of Thrones fans started a fundraiser in his honor as he sought treatment for personal struggles. “To those of you who set this page up in my name and to those of you who contributed and left messages, please accept my deepest and most heartfelt thank you,” the actor wrote along with his nearly $10,000 contribution at the time. “This donations page lifted my heart and brought tears to my eyes, what a beautiful gift to receive…how generous of all of you. Mencap is truly a wonderful charity and the money given here will go to the most incredible cause. With love and respect from beyond the wall…Kit x.”

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James Holzhauer

The former Jeopardy! contestant, who took home a win on the show for 32 straight days from April to June 2019, donated $1,109.14 (a nod to his daughter's November 9, 2014 birthday) to his Illinois hometown's Pancreatic Cancer Walk in June 2019. The gift was made in honor of host Alex Trebek, who revealed that he had been diagnosed with the disease in March.