Charitable giving has become part of daily life for many celebrities.听In 2017, Americans gave more than $410 billion听to charity, 70% of last year's total donations came from individual donors, a 3% increase from 2016.
Celebrities often have both the wealth and platform to make charitable contributions and raise awareness for a range of important issues. A variety of non-profits also look to celebrities for endorsement or promotion.听
罢丑别听 are Elton John, Bill Clinton, Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney, and Bono, who each support dozens of causes.听 was Chance the Rapper, who started a foundation to empower youth, raising听more than $2 million for Chicago public schools. Colin Kaepernick was a close second, while Ariana Grande came in third.
Read on to find out which charitable causes your favorite celebrities support.
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The Humane Society, one of the world鈥檚 largest animal protection organizations, works with local animal rights activists to advocate for humane protection legislation. Paul McCartney, Ricky Gervais, Steve Aoki, Judi Dench, and Ke$ha are among some of the celebrities who have supported the Humane Society鈥檚 work. In 2006, 听as part of an effort to end seal slaughter in Canada.
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draws the public鈥檚 attention to unsafe and inadequate water supplies around the world, which is the largest global health problem. Matt Damon , along with entrepreneur Gary White. A number of other celebrities have also jumped onboard to support听the cause, including Bono, Justin Timberlake, Madeleine Albright, and Jason Bateman.
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Small Steps Project is a United Kingdom-based humanitarian organization that听raises听awareness of poverty, helping to听deliver shoes, hygiene supplies, and first-aid kits听to children in need. The organization is backed by some of the world鈥檚 best-recognized celebrities,
Michael J. Fox started a foundation for Parkinson鈥檚 disease research after being听diagnosed with the condition in 1991. Barbara Walters, Ben Stiller, and John Mayer have all backed the cause,听helping听the non-profit .
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The Trevor Project promotes acceptance of all sexualities for teenagers, and suicide prevention among gay and questioning youth. Daniel Radcliffe , telling teens he believed听that "reaching out for help is the bravest thing a person can do." Lady Gaga, Betty White, and Queen Latifah also support the organization.
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The VH1 Save the Music Foundation raises听awareness for music education programs in public schools. Since its founding in 1997, it has 听dollars in听new musical instruments to more than 2,000 public schools. It should come as no surprise that several famous musicians back this organization, including Britney Spears, Ne-Yo, Nicki Minaj, and Snoop Dogg.
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Stand Up to Cancer , and raises money for cancer research, while providing information about cancer screenings and treatment. The organization held a telecast in September, and raised nearly $124听million. The organization鈥檚 famous supporters include Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Derek Jeter, and Miley Cyrus.
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Special Olympics offers sports training and competition to more than two million people with disabilities in听150 countries. Michael Jordan, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, and Eva Mendes are all among the organization鈥檚 celebrity supporters. at Special Olympics鈥� 50th anniversary concert earlier this year.
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The United Nations Children鈥檚 Fund, or听UNICEF, works to听improve children鈥檚 quality of life in more than 190 countries, offering emergency relief, healthcare, and education services. Orlando Bloom 听during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia.听鈥淐ommunities have been at the center of the fight against Ebola, and must continue to be supported,鈥� the actor said. Alicia Keys and Liam Neeson are also UNICEF supporters.
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The American Foundation for AIDS Research supports AIDS prevention, education, research, and advocacy. The organization hosts an annual听Cinema Against AIDS gala that has for听research. Famous hosts of the gala have included Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, and Sharon Stone. Other celebrities that support the cause: Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, and Mick Jagger.
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In the wake of the #MeToo movement, prominent women in Hollywood created Time鈥檚 Up and the听Time鈥檚 Up Legal Defense Fund. The foundation, launched by Oprah Winfrey, Gloria Steinem, Meryl Streep, and Mindy Kaling, aims to provide protection and support for women facing harassment or abuse. The Time鈥檚 Up Legal Defense Fund 听to represent women unable to afford legal assistance.
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Aid Still Required is a non-profit organization that focuses on forgotten or overlooked issues that remain after natural disasters or other crises. The group鈥檚 , by, for example, offering small business opportunities. Celebrity supporters include Adam Levine, Martha Stewart, and Sarah Silverman.
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听established the Just Keep Livin Foundation to encourage students to stay active and healthy, providing resources for better fitness, nutrition, and听wellness through service. Other famous supporters of the cause include the Rolling Stones, and Eric Church.
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City of Hope is dedicated to preventing and treating cancer via biomedical research, treatment, and education. Beyonce is slated to perform at the organization鈥檚 gala this month. The group has a number of other celebrity backers, including Nick Jonas, Enrique Iglesias, and Jamie Foxx.
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THORN was founded听by Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore in 2010听to help stop the spread of child sex-trafficking. In 2017, Kutcher , presenting a plan for听digital technology used to protect children. John Legend, Drake, and Sofia Vergara also support the organization.
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Feeding America targets hunger in the United States, distributing听food to those in need . The group also raises public awareness of domestic hunger, and advocates for policies and regulations that relieve the burden of the food-insecure. Celebrity supporters of the group鈥檚 work include Anne Hathaway, Lisa Kudrow, and Mariah Carey.
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George Clooney鈥檚 Not On Our Watch Foundation focuses on elevating human rights, raising听public awareness of communities impacted by war. Several , including Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt. Cheadle and activist John Prendergast also authored a book on the subject.听
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The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes specializes in Type 1 diabetes research and care for children and adults. The center 听with diabetes, as well as 2,000 adults in the Rocky Mountain region. Robert De Niro, Barbra Streisand, and Richard Gere are among the many celebrities who support this organization.
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The Joyful Heart Foundation,听started by Mariska Hargitay, supports victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. The foundation , which focuses on healing from trauma. Other celebrity supporters include Michael Bloomberg, Tim Gunn, and Debra Messing.
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The Muscular Dystrophy Association is听 through research, services, and public awareness. Muscular dystrophy is a progressive genetic disease that causes weakness,听and the loss of muscle mass. Famous supporters of the cause include Josh Groban, Susan Lucci, and Jason Derulo.
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Caudwell Children is a non-profit organization in the United Kingdom that works to provide specialized medical care for children with disabilities. Since 1999, the group has 听in need. A number of听British and American celebrities support the organization, including Tina Turner, Robbie Williams, and Elton John.
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The Los Angeles Mission is dedicated to assisting people who are homeless in the Los Angeles area, providing听shelter, food, and clothing. The organization, established听75 years ago, at its 2017 gala in recognition of her work with the group. Other famous supporters include Amber Rose, Liam Hemsworth, and Neil Patrick Harris.
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Greenpeace is an organization dedicated to fighting threats to wildlife and听the environment. In February, actor Sam Neill , urging the public to avoid one-use plastic bags. Maisie Williams, Christian Bale, and Penelope Cruz are also fellow supporters of Greenpeace.
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The annual Race to Erase MS听raises awareness for听multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the immune system. to the organization goes to MS research. Celebrity supporters of the organization include Avril Lavigne, Paris Hilton, and听Joan Jett.
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The Starkey Hearing Foundation听 through missions in 86 countries, and has distributed more than 300,000 hearing aids around the world since 2000. Celine Dion, Ozzy Osbourne, and Chris Colfer are among of the foundation's famous supporters.
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Animal Defenders International campaigns to protect animals and combat the trafficking of endangered species. Last month, 听for the group about using primates in research. 鈥淭o see these sensitive, intelligent animals born to suffer in this way makes me angry,鈥� the actor said.听Other supporters听include Bob Barker and Joanna Lumley.
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Malaria No More focuses on ending malaria deaths. The disease, carried by mosquitoes,听is the #1 killer of children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. Athletes 听of the Malaria No More UK Leadership Council. Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Seacrest, and Ellie Kemper are also among the group鈥檚 celebrity backers.
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The Wounded Warrior Project helps injured U.S. military service members, and raises public awareness of available care for veterans. The organization provides to veterans across the country. Celebrity supporters of the Wounded Warrior Project include Alec Baldwin, Sean Connery, and Bob Costas.
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Smile Train provides medical care for听children with cleft palate disorders whose families cannot afford the cost. Children with this condition can have . Famous supporters听include Kylie Jenner, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alex Trebek.
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STOMP Out Bullying is a national anti-bullying program for kids and teens听听online and in schools. The organization educates students, offers help for those at risk of suicide, and implements peer mentoring programs. Julianne Moore, Demi Lovato, Regis Philbin, and Hilary Duff are all among the organization's famous supporters.
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