Oscar Wilde once said that “the smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” At the end of the day, it matters not how much we give — only that we give.
And what better example to follow than that of our favorite stars and celebrities of Hollywood? Have a look and check out these 10+ celebrities who are always giving their money away.
Matthew McConaughey
Matthew helps to fund AIDS and Cancer research, children’s hospitals, as well as numerous other charitable organizations.
The Oscar-winning actor is also the founder of the Just Keep Livin Foundation : a youth group designed to help young people make good life choices.
Gisele Bündchen
Gisele and her husband Tom Brady are known internationally for their philanthropy.
The supermodel/business mogul’s main focuses range from funding groups that help to empower young women abroad, as well as several clean water projects around the world.
Sandra Bullock
The city of New Orleans is incredibly near and dear to Sandra Bullock’s heart. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Sandra donated $1 million dollars to the Red Cross.
Both of her adopted children were born in New Orleans as well.
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith don’t just want to make an impact — they aim to change the world.
Together, the couple founded the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation . They’ve invested millions in grants for like-minded individuals and organizations.
George Lucas
George Lucas is the genius who gave birth to Star Wars . He’s worked closely with Make-A-Wish, Stand Up to Cancer, and has donated $175 million to USC; his alma mater.
As incredible as it may seem, George has vowed to donate his entire fortune ( $5 billion ) to charity.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is the gift that keeps on giving. Over the course of her historic career, the pop star has donated millions of dollars to numerous causes.
It all began back in 2011 when Taylor donated more than $70,000 in books to her town’s library.
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson may be controversial but he certainly isn’t stingy when it comes to giving back.
The celebrated actor/director once made two separate $5 million donations to two Los Angeles Children’s hospitals. The money was given to help provide aid to children from foreign countries.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
Ellen and Portia are one of the most powerful couples in the world. For Ellen’s 61st birthday, Portia decided to give Ellen the gift of giving back.
Together, they donated the funds to create an additional campus at the Dian Fossy Gorilla Sanctuary.
Bill Gates
Despite being one of the richest people on planet earth, Bill Gates remains as humble and appreciative as he ever was.
Bill and his wife Melinda have donated more than $50 billion to various charities around the world. He’s also vowed to donate half of his fortune to charity.
Oprah Winfrey
If you thought Oprah was kind to her TV audience then you haven’t seen anything yet.
It would probably be more time-efficient to tell you the charities that the media mogul happens to not support, as opposed to those she does.
RELATED STORIES
Elon Musk
While the jury is still out on whether Elon Musk is actually an alien in disguise, one thing that isn’t up for debate is his generosity .
Elon has dedicated himself to making the world a better place. He’s yet another tech titan who has vowed to surrender at least half of his wealth to charity.
Meryl Streep
Find me someone who doesn’t love Meryl Streep and I’ll show you a liar. Go ahead, I’ll wait…
The world’s most renowned actress and her sculptor husband Don Gummer have been quietly donating millions to various charitable causes over the past 40 years.
Alec Baldwin
I feel like Alec Baldwin is someone who has an undeserved bad rap. He may be polarizing and even volatile at times, but the guy has a big heart where it counts.
Alec has donated to countless animal charities and even narrated the documentary film Meet Your Meat .
Jami Gertz
Fans of the cult classic storm chase thriller Twister will no doubt recall Jami’s work.
What you might not know, however, is that in 2012 she and her husband were named Hollywood’s Most Charitable Couple after making a single donation to the Ressler-Gertz Foundation totalling more than $10 million .
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld is a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, he’s regarded as one of the meanest, most crotchety stars in all of Tinsel Town.
But on the other, he’s one of the most charitable stars alive — having donated more than $2 million in the past 20 years to his own Seinfeld Family Foundation.
