19+ Celebrities Who Have Used Their Influence to Give Back

Est. Donation: $1 million*
Charity Name: Doctors Without Borders 
Cause: Funds medical care and humanitarian aid in impoverished, third-world countries 

Doctors Without Borders has been serving people in conflict zones and in countries with endemic diseases since the 1970s. The non-governmental organization is one of the leading humanitarian aid organizations in the world. Actress Angelina Jolie counts herself a big supporter of Doctors Without Borders, as well as of other humanitarian organizations. She is one of the best-known philanthropists in Hollywood, having even gone so far as to take a step back from acting to focus on charity. 

Angelina Jolie ©Jordan Pix/Getty Images

In 2010, she donated $1 million to Doctors Without Borders to help the organization’s medical operations in Haiti after a massive earthquake struck the island in January of that year. There are many different documentaries on YouTube and other platforms that will tell you more about Doctors Without Borders and how it operates.

Est. Donation: $600 million raised in total*
Charity Name: The Elton John Aids Foundation 
Cause: Educates about and fights the spread of HIV/AIDS

Elton John is one of the most successful singers of all time, and he is also an LGBTQ+ member and activist. John started the Elton John AIDS Foundation (ETAF) in 1992 in New York City. In 1993, ETAF branched out into the UK. ETAF supports education programs, HIV prevention, support services, and direct care for those who have HIV/AIDS.

Elton John @starkeyfnd/Twitter

John’s Foundation, which has partnered with companies like American Airlines and other corporations, has a budget of $600 million, and the rock star started ETAF in response to a serious need for charitable support in the 1990s to address the global AIDS crisis. Not enough was being done at the time, so John stepped up to help his community.

Est. Donation: Unknown
Charity Name: Women’s rights 
Cause: Stewart often speaks up for and donates to causes empowering women 

Sir Patrick Stewart is one of the most beloved stars in Hollywood, known for his genial demeanor and starring role on Star Trek. Stewart is famous for his activism, particularly when it comes to causes affecting women’s rights.

Patrick Stewart ©Charles Eshelman/Getty Images

He is often on Twitter advertising for causes he finds worthy. His activist stance became famous after a video of him at Comicpalooza in 2013 went viral. In it, he gave an impassioned response to a question from a victim of domestic abuse in which he stood up for victims’ rights and demanded change. Other causes/organizations Stewart supports include the ASPCA, the International Rescue Committee, and more.

Est. Donation: $10 million*
Charity Name: Relief efforts of 2020 
Cause: Funds will go to help those who struggled throughout 2020 ($1 million earmarked for food donation)

Oprah Winfrey is a billionaire, thanks to her business acumen and success as a talk show host and global mogul. Winfrey’s life hasn’t been easy, and she remembers what it was like to struggle, which is why she always tries to give back to the community.

Oprah Winfrey @people/Pinterest

The WBD tycoon announced in 2020 that she was donating $10 million to relief efforts for those who had struggled that year from job loss, illness, and more. $1 million of those funds, according to Winfrey’s social media announcement, was specifically earmarked to help those who were struggling with food insecurity. 

Est. Donation: $31.5 million*
Charity Name: Cancer research organizations 
Cause: Seeks to find a cure for cancer, a feat that has yet to be achieved 

Everyone loves Keanu Reeves. The actor has been the frontman for huge franchises like John Wick and The Matrix. But, people might not know that Reeves, who is famously generous, has been through a lot of hardship in his life. For example, his sister, Kim, battled blood cancer for eight years until going into remission in 2001.

Keanu Reeves @Movie Rockstar/Youtube

In honor of his sister, Reeves donated 70% of his $45 million salary from The Matrix to help find a cure for leukemia, an aggressive form of cancer. That worked out to over $31 million in donations, one of the largest lump-sum celebrity donations of the past few decades. 

Est. Donation: $10 million in donations per year, according to ONE’s budget*
Charity Name: ONE
Cause: Seeks to end poverty and preventable disease by 2030

Bono, the superstar lead singer of U2, has often been labeled one of the world’s best-known philanthropists. Bono has often found success in rallying his famous, powerful friends to donate to causes important to him, namely humanitarian relief.

Bono ©Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Bono even founded ONE, which is a global movement that seeks to end both international poverty and preventable infections and disease by 2030. Since 1999, Bono has involved himself in debt relief, as well as battling the AIDS pandemic in third-world countries. He even took the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury on a tour through Africa to showcase the poverty there and inspire America to increase its international aid budget. 

Est. Donation: Over $100,000 raised in her honor* 
Charity Name: Various animal rights charities 
Cause: Helps shelter and care for animals that have been abandoned or neglected 

Late actress Betty White was beloved by just about everyone, and people were devastated at her passing in late 2021. The former Golden Girls star was famously dedicated to animal rights causes and, after she passed on, fans started the “Betty White Challenge” in her honor.

Betty White ©Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

This donation challenge saw well over $100,000 donated to various animal rights charities and humanitarian organizations around the world. For example, the Wisconsin Humane Society received $60,000 from more than 1,600 Betty White superfans who donated in honor of the late TV star. Even after her passing, White still makes a huge difference in the world. 

Est. Donation: Unconfirmed
Charity Name: Sri Lankan village and others
Cause: She donated three years’ worth of money to keep the community running 

According to Look to the Stars, a website that lets you know what causes your favorite celebrities support, actress Scarlett Johansson has been a charitable donor to many different causes. She has supported organizations like the American Humane Association, Blessings in a Backpack, Declare Yourself, Cancer Research UK, Broadway Cares, and many more.

Scarlett Johansson @iheartScarJo/Twitter

The former Black Widow even skipped the Oscars in 2007 to tour Sri Lanka and India as part of an Oxfam project. She was so moved by her visit to Sri Lanka that she donated a large sum to keep the community running for three years. Though the number has not been disclosed, it’s safe to say it made a huge impact on the impoverished community.   

Est. Donation: $1 million received for his charity in 2021*
Charity Name: Water.org 
Cause: Brings safe, cost-effective, drinkable water to struggling communities in developing countries 

Developing, third-world countries are heavily affected by poor water quality, flooding, and water shortages. Around four-fifths of illnesses in these countries are caused by inadequate water and poor sanitation. Pollution and rising sea levels can contaminate decent water sources, leaving communities bereft.

Matt Damon @waterdotorg/Pinterest

Actor Matt Damon founded Water.org to combat this serious issue. The organization helps bring decent sanitation and clean water to struggling countries. In 2021, Damon’s charity even received a $1 million donation from Crypto.com, a leading digital currency brokerage. The partnership will go a long way in achieving Damon’s goal of adequate sanitation and hydration.

Est. Donation: $1.05 million*
Charity Name: Various 
Cause: Provide food, shelter, medical assistance, and/or funds to people struggling with poverty

For a long time, George Clooney was one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors. He was always charitable, but when he met his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, his charitable giving was kicked even further into gear.

George Clooney ©John Falls/Getty Images

In 2020, George and Amal donated over $1 million to six areas in need. They donated $250,000 each to the L.A. Mayor’s Fund, SAG-AFTRA Fund, and Motion Picture and Television Home. Additionally, the power couple donated $300,000 to the NHS, Lombardo, Italy Region, and Lebanese Food Bank. All of these charities deal with providing food, shelter, medical assistance, and/or funds to people struggling with poverty and similar ailments.    

Est. Donation: $1 million*
Charity Name: Feeding America, Food Banks Canada  
Cause: Provides relief to households struggling with food insecurity 

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are yet another Hollywood power couple to grace this list. The pair are famous for their strong relationship and witty online banter, and they are also well-known for their charitable donations.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively ©John Lamparski /Getty Images

A few years ago, the two donated $1 million to two organizations: Food Banks Canada and Feeding America. Both of these organizations are dedicated to providing relief to people who are food insecure. America and Canada both struggle with hunger. In the States, 10.5% of all households were food-insecure at some point in 2020. Up north, in Canada, one in five Canadians reported going hungry in 2021. 

Est. Donation: $1.75 million raised in his poker game*
Charity Name: Feeding America 
Cause: Helps Americans who are struggling with food insecurity 

Actor and newlywed Ben Affleck is known for being a famous actor, but many people might not know that he is very dedicated to charitable causes. Affleck even won “Favorite Humanitarian” at the Peoples’ Choice Awards a few years ago.

Ben Affleck ©Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

He and Whiley Williams formed the Eastern Congo Initiative, offering resources and training to the Congolese to uplift their living conditions. Affleck has also supported the Feeding America Entertainment Council, Midnight Mission, and more. In 2020, he and Matt Damon hosted a charity poker game that raised $1.75 million for Feeding America (participants had to donate $10,000 each to earn their spot at the table).

Est. Donation: $3 billion disbursement in 2022*
Charity Name: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 
Cause: Helps with poverty and inequality-related issues and injustices around the world and in the States 

Billionaire Bill Gates is known not only for founding Microsoft but for being extremely charitable. The tech mogul has his own charity, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which he runs with his ex-wife. The charity helps people around the world who are fighting inequality and poverty.

Bill Gates @KSD371 /Twitter

The Foundation grants its support to education by offering scholarships and building libraries. It also has helped organize sanitation services in third-world countries, working with UNICEF to distribute relief to struggling communities worldwide. By 2026, the Foundation will have disbursed $9 billion each year, which is an increase of $3 billion from 2022.  

Est. Donation: $500,000*
Charity Name: Women’s healthcare organizations 
Cause: Provides a wide range of healthcare resources to women, especially those who are impoverished

Lizzo is famous for her body-positive message and catchy music. The superstar singer has had a lot of hits and, whether you love her or not, you can’t deny that she has made a big impact in the world since her relatively-recent rise to fame.

Lizzo @CBSNews /Twitter

In 2022, Lizzo pledged $500,000 to organizations supporting women’s health. The money will come from her upcoming tour, and this donation is matching, meaning that $1 million in total will be raised for women’s healthcare. The June 2022 donation made headlines, and it reconfirmed the Yitty founder’s status as a celebrity truly dedicated to women’s rights.