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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Reader Comments (Page 5 of 6)

Deb Sep 21st 2008 11:59PM

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!!!!!!!

warren garrison Sep 21st 2008 11:57PM

was just thinking the other day about the children that have those cleft pallets and it only cost $250 per child to fix them up. To think of the millions and millions hoarded by so very many people, most of them die and leave it to their dog or some stupid thing when they could have help people while they were here. Oprah just bought another home, that's A-N-O-T-H-E-R home that cost as I remember, $50 + million. What the hell does a person need with half a dozen homes if they aren't leasing them out and making money with them? All that upkeep and out lay of funds just to maintain them. They were just showing some of the homes of stars like Gene Simmons, unbelievable mansions with rooms they've probably never even been in there are so many. Most people get the scripture totally wrong when they quote it as "money is the root of all evil", it says that "the Love of Money is the root of all evil". People begging for an operation to keep them alive that insurances won't pay for and all these godless people sitting there with millions and millions in the bank that they won't even have time to gather up before heading off to hell.

Mary Keister Sep 21st 2008 11:57PM

Just a few blocks from the White House children are going to bed hungry. They are living in crack houses and are afraid of being shot by crackheads and druggies. They live in fear and filth and are not getting the education or medical help that they desperately need to get out of this hell. Laura Bush preaches that Reading is Fun. It's hard to read when you are sick and hungry, and filled with fear. These children need help desperately. It's shameful that this is allowed to go on in America.

Deb Sep 22nd 2008 12:37AM

dave Sep 22nd 2008 12:06AM

Big deal,

Really, why are we so impressed that this mega star donates 50 million. As a percentage of her net worth its not that big of a deal. she gets big tax breaks for her contributions that are easily worth 35-40% of her contributions.

So she has more people at the alter of Oprah for doing something so paltry. I'm shocked she isn't giving more. For those who wonder, yes i give a fair percentage myself.

Patty Sep 22nd 2008 12:12AM

Just an FYI Oprah has been giving for years and has given much to American children and other American charities. I'm not sure why so many are so bitter about how she spends her money anyway. Do you want her money? Are you jealous someone else has got it? What makes you feel like she should be spending her money on charities of your choice? You are all welcome to spend your money however you feel like.

KLS Sep 22nd 2008 12:15AM

How can we heal the world when we ourselves are dying? Start charity at home, then expand.

rick Sep 22nd 2008 12:31AM

I agree that oprah tends to favor "black" causes, but it is her perogative, its her money. What I cant stand is everytime she does do something "humanitarian" she has to have a whole show of hers about it, so people know how generous and caring she is. She should stop patting herself on the back, she makes me sick to my stomach.

Richard Sep 22nd 2008 2:34AM

OH my God how will Oprah live on just the 250 million left over.

BOB WONG Sep 22nd 2008 1:13AM

MOST OF THE MONEY WENT RIGHT TO AFRICA. HOW ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO MADE OPHRA RICH, OH I FORGOT, FIFTY OF THEM GOT A PONTIAC. OOPS, I FORGOT AGAIN, GENERAL MOTORS GAVE THEM THE CARS. OPHRA ONLY GIVES AMERICANS LIP SERVICE. JUST ANOTHER EMPTY SUIT LIKE OBAMA!

chelle Sep 22nd 2008 1:08AM

Vern you make a strong statement and point I have to admit that I agree with a lot of what you said. A little over a year ago my sister who lives in Arkansas was fighting to keep a school open. The small town was having sales, cooking, donating, any thing to raise money. I sent the information to the Oprah show hoping that she would help. I sent information and phone numbers they could research there self to know it was not a scam. I never heard any thing from them and the school didn't either. the school was saved but not by the hands of Oprah I guess there wouldn't have been enough pats on the back to help some small school in Floral, Arkansas. The reason the school got in this condition in the first place is that some people are given power then they steal and are not being held accountable for there behavior. This behavior took place while under the watchful eye of an Arkansas Govener who run for president. I am glad he never made it to office if he has trouble running a state what would he do with a country. I think that every body that runs for president should have the same amount of money for campaigning. I also think they should have to answer questions that make them have to make a stand for what they really believe.

LJ Bourgeois Sep 22nd 2008 1:14AM

Oprah was good, I used to love her show, but anymore I feel she is a bigot.
She never used her show to promote....I just don't
like her anymore

kenny Sep 22nd 2008 1:17AM

Oprah, Oprah, Oprah, white people are so stuck on Oprah it's disgusting. The woman has worked hard, and raised herself up from nothing, isn't this the American story? whether it's the Williams sisters, Tiger Woods, Will Smith, Obama, Oprah, or any successful black person, All you get from white posters is racist garbage. Let it be known, that despite all the racist hatred so many of you have in your hearts for us, we will by the grace of almighty God continue to prosper and, contribute to the perpetuation and uplifting of our people, this nation, and the world.

patty Sep 22nd 2008 10:13PM

She does this on her show because she has a show...that's what it's all about....this inspires other people to help. ...also, this makes people know there are good people out there...unlike anything we read in the newspapers and magazines...it seems like a breath of fresh air.....

(io'ane) john Sep 22nd 2008 1:30AM

My comment is this: you can't please all of the people at ANY time! So my point is this if the lord has put this upon your heart as something you should do so be it. So, as the world turns/ Get out there and ROCK your world. To alot of you out there it's about money$ WRONG it's about giving, caring, showing humanity that mankind still has a few decent people left. For O herself your charity work's awesome, keep it up. Aloha from hawaii ....

Carol Sep 22nd 2008 1:54AM

Why is it that when people comment via the internet they feel comfortable to say hurtful, offensive, & abusive things to people that they would not have the courage to say to them face to face. That's probably a definition of a coward, don't you? What happened to the Golden Rule in our society?

witta Sep 22nd 2008 1:58AM

As far as the Obama slams go....if he is muslim..who cares? That doesn't make him a terrorist. I love America, this is truly the land of the free....take..freedom of religion for example. Folks, it's simple, freedom of religion, not freedom for christianity. This means in America you can be a satanist, a methodist, a catholic, a muslim, a jew, wiccan, agnostic, etc because we are free. The people who came before us insured we would have those rights, AND the military servicemen and women fight for us to have them every single day.

Carol Sep 22nd 2008 2:25AM

What if he was a Mormon?

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