Do you remember “Duck Tales” from the 80’s, where Scrooge McDuck would famously dive into a pool of his money? Celebrities are swimming in the money as well. Some of them take the Scrooge McDuck approach and hoard their stash of cash, others spend it frivolously on self-indulgences (yes, we’re looking at you, Donald Trump), then there are those that actually use their wealth for good by helping others.
We all claim that if we were rich, we would donate money, but the truth is, it is easier said than done. However, some celebrities genuinely have a philanthropic spirit. Who are some of the celebrities that give back the most and how do they donate their time and money? From feeding the homeless to improving schools to rescuing manatees from extinction, these 12 stars set the bar for their outstanding contributions to the world. Who made the list? In no particular order, we’ll start out with a huge pop star sensation.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift first launched to stardom in country music, but has since moved into the pop genre. The first two singles from her newest album “1989” have already hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (“Shake it Off” and “Blank Space”). However, these hits aren’t the only songs from “1989” that are making waves around the world.
“Welcome to New York” is the first track on “1989,” and is the song that Taylor has used to further establish her philanthropic work in the community. After promoting the single during a television appearance, Taylor noted that all of the proceeds from the song will benefit New York City public schools. So far, more than $50,000 has been raised for the school system, with much more expected throughout the rest of 2015.
Mark Zuckerberg
Social networking made Mark Zuckerberg a billionaire. As the founder of Facebook, Zuckerberg has raked in the cash left and right thanks to people who post far too many photos of their children and pets. Zuckerberg is one of the wealthiest people in the world and has been giving back in a big way.
When the Ebola outbreak started to ravage the continent of Africa, Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla donated $25 million to help the Center for Disease Control fight off the disease and stop it from spreading. The large donation is not Zuckerberg’s only charitable act, as he is considered to be the second largest cash donor in the United States. Also included in his efforts are the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, to which he has donated half a billion dollars.
50 Cent
50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) is one of the most famous rappers of the past decade. He had a rough upbringing in the lower income area of Queens in New York City. Just to make ends meet to survive, Jackson had to resort to selling drugs before he was even a teenager. He hit it big after he was discovered by Eminem. Now, with his success, 50 Cent wants to help less fortunate children so that they can have an easier life than he did.
50 Cent and his fellow members of G-Unit started the G-Unity foundation to fund charities that give children below the poverty level a chance at a better education, and provide them with proper health care and nutrition. 50 Cent additionally donates his time and money to help those with AIDS and HIV, and has also been involved in several charities that focus on the environment. For such a tough guy, 50 Cent has a huge heart.
Sting
We have to be clear which Sting we’re talking about here because there is also a professional wrestler named Sting. This Sting is the one that made it big in music as a member of “The Police”. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, “The Police” were a huge hit, but Sting decided to break away from the band and pursue a (very successful) solo career. Sting has won 16 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Sting might also be inducted into the Charity Hall of Fame one day (if there is such a thing) thanks to his philanthropic efforts. Sting knows first-hand how making it in the music industry can change someone’s life, because of this, much of his time and money is spent on four different foundations that help musicians who haven’t made it yet. The foundations do not help struggling musicians get noticed, but instead assist in providing emergency services that are not readily available or affordable to those who are pursuing music careers and making minimum wage.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is one of the most eccentric people in the world. Due to her talent and style, she has had a great start to her music career with multiple number one hits and albums in a short period of time. It’s no surprise that Lady Gaga is an outstanding singer, but until the 2015 Oscars when she belted out a house-shaking tribute to “The Sound of Music,” many people had only heard her edgy pop songs.
Since Lady Gaga knows what it’s like to be different and to be judged for it, she has created a charity to help those in the same boat. The charity is called the Born This Way Foundation, and it helps create safer learning environments for children so that thy can feel free to pursue any passion without having to worry about getting bullied for it. The foundation has been a big hit thanks to Gaga’s social media presence.
David Beckham
There was a time when David Beckham was considered to be the most popular soccer player in the world. There was also a time when he was considered to be the sexiest man alive, and many still consider him as such. Some guys just have all of the luck. As a hero for the English national soccer team, Beckham’s skills were revered as a striker, especially with his ability to bend a kick.
Beckham was already one of the highest paid players in soccer, so he never really had a need for the extra cash. Instead of further establishing his wealth, while playing in France, Beckham donated an entire season’s pay to a children’s charity for $5 million. Beckham and his wife Victoria (formerly Posh Spice) have also done a lot of work with UNICEF in their efforts to drastically lower the infant mortality rate in underdeveloped countries.
Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett is one of those artists that you hardly ever hear on the radio, but is still making tons of money. Many of Jimmy Buffett’s fans, also known as Parrotheads, are complete die-hards that follow him on tour wherever he goes. Parrotheads not only love Buffett’s music but want to live the same kind of beach bum lifestyle that Buffett promotes in the majority of his songs. That sure doesn’t sound like a bad way of making a paycheck, does it?
While many of the celebrities that we have seen on the list so far help those that are less fortunate, Buffett helps the critters that live near the beaches that he loves so much. Buffett’s favorite animal is the manatee, which prompted him to start the Save the Manatee Foundation. The foundation has been so successful, that the species is no longer considered to be endangered, which goes to show you that Parrotheads are very dedicated.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar started out in the hip hop business when he was just 16 years old in Compton, California. Compton is a hotbed for hip hop talent and Lamar is no exception. Lamar got his first huge break in 2012 when Aftermath and Interscope Records scooped him up, which was a big acquisition when a guy like Dr. Dre is in charge of producing your records.
Ever since he made it big, Lamar has been helping out the Red Cross and has donated several thousand to the charity. Lamar also headlined a concert that donated money to those in need in India, as well as homeless women and children. A lot of people like Lamar because of his music and personality (his giving nature is widely revered.)
George Lucas
George Lucas created what many consider to be the most popular movie franchise of all-time, “Star Wars”. There have been hundreds of “Star Wars” action figures, books, and video games, you name it. If a “Star Wars” version of an item can be made, it will be. Lucas also started Lucasfilm, a company that has produced massively successful films, which Lucas ended up selling in 2012 to Disney.
Lucas wants others to follow in his footsteps and pursue their dreams in the arts, which is why he donated a whopping $25 million to the University of Chicago to build a new arts building. As if that act of kindness wasn’t selfless enough, Lucas insisted that the building be named after Gordon Parks instead of himself. Parks was a singer who also directed the film “Shaft” that starred Richard Roundtree.
Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk is the most recognizable skateboarder of all-time. Even though Hawk has been retired for over 15 years from full-time competition, people will always think of him first when it comes to skateboarders. Hawk is still making quite a bit of money thanks to endorsements and tours. His legend will live on as he was the first skateboarder to ever pull off the famed 900 maneuver at the X-Games competition.
As a kid, Hawk had a difficult time finding a place to ride his skateboard without getting into trouble. Hawk is very aware that this problem has grown tremendously, meaning that kids are getting discouraged from taking up the sport in fear of getting into trouble. Hawk has come to the rescue by building family friendly skate parks in communities throughout the United States; he has currently funded 500 parks, which is a great way to promote the sport.
Elton John
If you want to know where your popularity lies as a singer in the United Kingdom, look no further than to those that have been knighted by the Queen herself. ‘Sir’ Elton John received that high honor, and has had a long career that spans 50 years. 58 of Elton John’s songs have reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Charts, and seven of his albums in a row have reached the top spot.
Elton John waited until 1988 to tell the world that he was, in fact, gay. He now does everything he can to make sure that gays are taken care of and given the same rights as straight people. Elton John is notorious for spending a lot of money in the battle against HIV and AIDS. In 2014 alone, Elton John’s AIDS Foundation spent nearly $7 million to help organizations fight the disease and raise awareness.
Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey is 45 years old, but it doesn’t look like he has aged much since the late 1990’s. Maybe that’s why McConaughey is still landing a lot of blockbuster roles and has starred in just about every single movie genre imaginable. Lately, McConaughey’s stardom in more dramatic roles has led to great success, including an Oscar win for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club”.
If you were to think of a name for a foundation that McConaughey founded, it would probably be “Just Keep Livin’”. It’s funny, because that’s exactly what his foundation is called. The charity was created to help fund health and wellness programs in inner-city high schools across the country. The idea behind “Just Keep Livin’” is that participation in physical activities helps children stay out of trouble after school and promotes healthy habits.
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