The Giving Back Fund Releases Top 30 Celebrity Donors for 2007

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed)
Sep 17th 2008 at 9:03AM

Each year a list of the top thirty celebrity donors is compiled through public records and released. No big surprise as to the top donor -- Oprah Winfrey -- who last year donated over $50 million largely in support of health care and education. The list includes such giving regulars as Paul Newman, Angelina and Brad, and Lance Armstrong and other lesser-known philanthropists including David and Valerie Robinson, Isabel Allende, and Hugh Hefner?! The amount of dollars donated ranges from $50,200,000 to $724,825. Its good to see where some of those big earners spend their money and which causes are getting the celebrity attention.

Tags: expire-images2009-9-16, giving back 30, giving back 30 2007, giving back fund, GivingBack30, GivingBack302007, GivingBackFund, oprah, oprah winfrey, OprahWinfrey

Filed under: Big Givers

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Deb Sep 21st 2008 10:17PM

in EVERY article i've seen on this list of givers - they all fail to
mention (which figures - bias aholes) that rounding out the top ten
givers no less is RUSH LIMBAUGH IN THE TOP TEN BUT GOD FORBID THEY'D
WANT ANYONE TO KNOW THAT- NOW U DO!!!!!!!

OSER Sep 21st 2008 9:41PM

looser- I agree with you, we are a pathetic, hatefull nation and totaly racial. There is not one time our people stick to the issue, everything is racial and political and almost every selfish person has there OWN AGENDA and it's called HATE against wealthy people who give a lot but still get bashed for it. We are a sad society and we should be ashamed.

ggcarlo4 Sep 22nd 2008 11:28AM

Big deal. If I had that kind of money I would do the same. What else would she do with it? She evidently is not really sacrificing much. With her income, it is not a big deal. She lives in a country that allows her to do what ever she wants to do with HER money.

Laura Sep 23rd 2008 4:20PM

I understand that they need write-offs so as not to pay as much in taxes. The more they earn -- the more they need write-offs. That's the best thing, otherwise some of our charities wouldn't get any monies. I just wish they would help out the families who are homeless by creating more half-way houses to get them back on their feet.

porter Sep 21st 2008 9:44PM

Pathetic America
when people give nothing, they get bashed, when they give 50 million they are hated for beeing black
and make to much money. American IQ are the lowest in the world and it shows.

Michelle Sep 21st 2008 9:45PM

Why do you say she only gives money to africa? She gives alot of money here in the states and to both white and blacks. She actively fundraises for many organizations also. She has gotten many corporate companies to pony up funds. Whether you are white or black, you cannot say she doesn't help individuals of all races. I don't watch her show, and am not a huge fan of her's, but she seems to be a decent human being who genuinely cares about others and tries to make a difference. She has huge amounts of money, and of course we would all like to have some of that, but it is her money to spend as she likes even if she did in fact give it all to africa which she doesn't.

Kristen Sep 21st 2008 9:50PM

Everyone now-a-days always find something to complain about either people are helping too much in africa or people are helping out too much in america what about the war blah blah blah ..people should be happy that we still have others around that still care and still have a heart to be donating anything they have to anyone and not being greedy and keeping it to themselves...oprah just donated 50 MILLION DOLLARS how many people do you know today that would do that? you guys should just be greatful that she is doing what she is and not avoiding these problems and actually trying to do something about it..

T Sep 21st 2008 9:48PM

Wow, only in America, the Land of the Great would a simple article about celebrities who give back would turn into a dumbass argument about race, who's the anti-White, and Obama. You people are sickening. And for those who choose to ask why Oprah didn't up and build a school in the U.S., the answer is simple. The state/fed'l gov't wouldn't allow it when she tried. Before even considering opening a school in Africa she first sought to open one in either Chicago or New York. But the idea of the richest black woman in America educating impoverished youths was too scary of an idea for most, so she was turned down. I don't blame Oprah one bit, and applaud her for doing what she can for those who WANT and APPRECIATE her efforts wherever they may live.

Nikki Sep 21st 2008 10:34PM

Charitable giving is totally up to the giver. So what if someone chooses to give to charities that are primarily of service to any one group?

Linda Merideth Sep 21st 2008 9:57PM

I watch Oprah everyday and love her......and even more since she made the world aware of the cruelty of puppy mills........I only wish she would come back to Mississippi and go by the Leland, Mississippi animal shelter.......just her presence would do SO MUCH in promoting animal welfare.

Nita Sep 21st 2008 10:26PM

You white people are unbelieveable. If something doesn't benefit you people, you right away accuse people of being racist. Oprah doesn't owe you people a penny or explanation of what she does with her money. I think you people are crazy, you get up here on these blogs and show your true colors and for some unknown reason, you think someone really cares what you have to say. You people have a sense of entitlement and act like someone owes you something, you are the racist ones, but you do what you do best, accuse someone else for your shortcomings and issues. Your behavior up here on this blog is a reflection of how your parents raised you, and from the comments a lot of you make. I think your parents did a horrible job in raising you. If you are miserable, find something else to do besides come online and spread your misery. Nobody really cares. Why don't you growup and act like your parents instill some good qualities in you. Stop coming up here spreading your self hatred and blaming your mental shortcomings on others. Once again, nobody really cares. Get a life and Shut Up Already.

thom Sep 21st 2008 10:53PM

Nita..........I really don't care

Patty Sep 22nd 2008 1:12AM

Hey Nita....you are right on....my thoughts exactly!!

Carol Levy Sep 21st 2008 10:04PM

-21-2008 @ 8:30PM

"M said...
I'm a teacher ... It bothers me only because I'm not rich and I can't help the kids in our community. "
As a teacher you do help the kids but we all have may ways we can help. Hospital, libraries, schools, food cupboards, etc have many opportunities for you to volunteer your time and abilities.

Big Al Sep 21st 2008 10:10PM

Hey, maybe Oprah should tell her buddy Obama to give more to charity. Obama gave 5.6% in 2007 (his income was $4.2 million) while McCain gave 27.6% in 2007 (his income was $479,000).Biden, a real giver, gave .06% (or about $180). Yea, we need welfare alright...it's because of people like Obama and Biden who think the gov't should pay for everybody.

Patty Sep 22nd 2008 1:15AM

Well, Big Al...i would like to know where you get your sources for all these numbers...oh...and may i remind you that Mccain's wife is rich and they file separate income tax...so he could have very well given from his wife's monies.

KIMBERLY Sep 21st 2008 10:45PM

WOW, THERE SURE ARE ALOT OF OPRAH HATERS OUT THERE. HOW MUCH DO YOU GIVE? WE DO HAVE POOR HERE IN THE US BUT THERE IS NO WELLFARE & FOOD STAMPS AND MEDICAID IN OTHER COUNTRIES. HAVE YOU HEARD THE DEATH TOLL LATLEY. THERE IS POOR & THERE IS PO. IF OUR COUNTRY CAN GIVE 800 BILLION OF OUR TAX DOLLARS TO BAIL OUT GREEDY COMPANIES SURELY THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR OUR POOR.

sunny reinhart Sep 22nd 2008 8:53AM

I never watch Oprah--she is anti-white and always has been...Cracks me up how they stand up and say (when win awards) I'm a proud black woman when one parent is white and the one who raised them....
Racists come in all colors,shapes and sizes....Yes why not help American children in Kentucky-Mississippi and other poor states ??????

Deb Sep 21st 2008 11:54PM

in EVERY article i've seen on this list of givers - they all fail to mention (which figures - bias aholes) that rounding out the top ten givers no less is RUSH LIMBAUGH IN THE TOP TEN BUT GOD FORBID THEY'D WANT ANYONE TO KNOW THAT- NOW U DO!!!!!!!

Terri Sep 21st 2008 10:25PM

I applaud the people who give for the good of mankind and not to their own good. Oprah has done good things but everything carries her name. It is to her own glory and not that of her maker. Fifty million to her is a drop in the bucket.

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