Posted on 01/14/2010 8:00:10 PM PST by Arec Barrwin
Oprah Ranked Most Generous Celebrity Pop Tags: Oprah Winfrey Posted on September 14th, 2008 by Eva Lam
Oprah Winfrey has been proclaimed the world’s biggest giver — again.
For the seoncd year running, the day-time host topped a list of the 30 most generous celebrities for giving $50.2 million US last year through the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Oprah’s Angel Network, which fund education, health care and advocacy for women and children.
The list, now in its second year, was compiled by The Giving Back Fund, a charity that aims to encourage philanthropy.
Claiming the No. 2 spot was trumpeter Herb Alpert, who gave $13 million for education, including music lessons, through the Herb Alpert Foundation.
Three athletes also made the top 10, with cyclist Lance Armstrong, basketball star Michael Jordan and Canadian hockey player Eric Lindros giving $5 million each.
Here is the top 10 on The Giving Back Fund’s list of most generous celebrities (all figures in US dollars):
1. Oprah Winfrey, $50.2 million. 2. Herb Alpert, $13 million. 3. Barbra Streisand, $11 million. 4. Paul Newman, $10 million. 5. Mel Gibson, $9.9 million. 6. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, $8.4 million. 7. Lance Armstrong, $5 million. 8. Michael Jordan, $5 million. 9. Eric Lindros, $5 million. 10. Rush Limbaugh, $4.2 million.
It would be interesting if they renormalized the results to percentage of income.
Who’s Eric Lindros?
Nevermind. I should have read the whole article before asking.
Exactly how does a foundation work? Is all this money truly their money they are donating or do people donate to the foundation so they’re actually donating a lot of people’s money?
One helluva hockey player.
Let’s not forget:
Algore $353
JoeBiden $369
Rush gives the most as a percentage I bet.
Hmmm, where is Al Gore? Didn’t he make $100 million last year telling us how we ought to live?
OK then, how about John Edwards? Oh, too busy paying for his love child.
Well then, I’m sure Bill Clinton should be on the list somewhere?
No, well then, Keith Olberman, Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow? Oh, too busy trashing Palin.
Oh, I know, John and Tereza Kerry gotta be on the list. Oh, too busy flying to their seven houses.
Most of the people on that list are Democrats which means they are giving the money to liberal causes,
Most of the people on that list are Democrats which means they are giving the money to liberal causes,
I am more interested in what charities they gave to.
Who knew Herb Alpert was so generous? Good on all of them.
Liberals are very generous....with YOUR money.
Per various sources Rush’s annual broadcast contract is worth about $35 Million per year - thus his charity giving is at least 10% factoring in other possible earnings
Whereas Oprah has a stated net worth in 2009 of $2.7 billion
Who knew Herb Alpert had that kind of money?
Bump
Usually the way the foundation works is that a rich person gives a generous amount in seed money, which is then invested to produce an income for the foundation. After that, they can continue to make donations to the foundation, but a board of directors (on which the original donor may sit) determines how the money is allocated and invested. Forming the foundation creates a tax shelter for the original donor, though some of the control may be taken out of his hands. If he chairs the foundation, it may pay for his automobiles, house, entertainment expenses, etc., though this must be done with great care to avoid drawing the gaze of the IRS. This is how dead folks like Paul Newman can continue to give.
Somebody like Rush who just writes a check to a good cause may get a tax writeoff, depending on where the check is going, but it’s a less powerful tax shelter than a foundation.
Yes, that would be interesting. A liberal in my church who was promoting our pledge drive said that he considered his donation to NPR part of his charitable donations.
How about ACORN? PETA?
I mean it would be good to know.
Good question. When I see Barbara Streisand on the list I can’t help thinking of all those “charitable contributions” she makes that are really nothing more than donations to political causes.
Don’t forget bill Clinton donated some of his underwear.
What do the 0bama’s give to charity?
IIRC Lindros was the Quebec Nordiques’ number one draft pick in his debut season, and he refused to play for the team, choosing instead to throw a hissy-fit and sit the season out.
No excuse.
That’s what I am thinking as well. I would not be surprised if the biggest chunks of Streisand’s contributions went to NARAL, NOW or “charities” supported by both.
Bob Barker gave $5 Million to Sea Shepherd so they could buy a boat to harass the whalers. Does that count?
Rush is careful with his charitable dollars. He picks good causes and organizations. He wants to make sure the money he gives is spent on the people and things he donates it for. Not fatcat salaries or lobbyists.
Rush Limbaugh is not listed as a donor on their website. The Giving Back Fund. David Geffen is placed #10.
http://www.givingback.org/ click see complete list below Parade Intelligence
What about Bob Barker? He gave $5 million to the whale whores.
“Liberals are very generous....with YOUR money.”
I have participated in Lance Armstrong Foundation events and know that it does great work and I have seen the work the Brad Pitt has done in New Orleans and both Lance and Brad are liberals who are doing great work with their money and the money they have raised.
Unknown. Perhaps we will find out if their tax returns are made public. I suspect he gives an extra buck to the guy who repairs the WH teleprompters.
A&M Records
Baically there are two types of foundations....private and community.
I set up a foundation under its own entity designed for my family to distribute chartible givings. In that vein I am the sole contributor to that foundation and may have my spouse, children as directors of the board.
It is classified under 503c and as a non profit orgaizatin it may exclude income tax, and as a charitble foundation it also may exclude property tax and sales tax.
as a private foundation the source is singular in nature in that is funded from and individual or corporation. The gransts are made to individuals or organized chariites, the private does not operae charities on its own.
To simply answer you question the private foundation DOES NOT donate other peoples money, it is the money from their soul source. Administart fees governed by 503 can be drawn and at least 5% of the foundation must be distibuted each year. yea
**we will find out if their tax returns are made public. **
I don’t claim my charitables on my 1040.. so that means I give $0.00?????
I'd like to know how much of this "giving" rolls back into their own coffers (like Tah-Ray-Suh Heinz-Kerry's Tide Foundation).
“What about Bob Barker? He gave $5 million to the whale whores.”
As I understand it, Mr. Barker earned that money and he may do with it as he wishes.
However, you are free to write a $5 million check to the whalers to counter the Barker money.
“What do the 0bama’s give to charity?”
Carrots from the Whitey House garden.
Nice to hear about Herb Alpert. Check out his biography to see how he made all that money. He was a songwriter back in the day who penned many hits and was a founder of A&M Records. He is long married to the amazing Lani Hall who was one of the original girl singers with Sergio Mendes and Brasil ‘66. Herb and Lani still perform regularly and have a new album out. They gave $30 million in 2007 to USC for the music school. They are a great force for music in Los Angeles.
Honestly, that was my first thought. I had no clue he was so wealthy.
My wife’s parents have also set-up a foundation with their money and it is distributed by my wife and her siblings. And they as a group decide where the money goes, most of which goes to children’s hospitals, educational institutions and their pet political causes.
Man, do I ever hate that phrase, “giving back”.
For some reason it rubs me wrong.
I find it hard for any politico to pass up a chance to show how wonderful he is.
Thanks to both of you for your explanations. I learn something new on FR everyday that I log on. :)
LOL, love your screen name. Very interesting list, thanks for posting it. Herb Alpert #2, that’s amazing, makes me glad I bought the re-issue of his old Christmas album for hubby a year or two ago. (got good reviews, but hubby didn’t like it, too much old time-y goopiness). And nice to see Ms. Streisand up there too, I admit I can’t hate Barbara.
Good on them all for their generosity.
So no messy divorces to wipe out his wealth.
“Man, do I ever hate that phrase, “giving back”.
I agree, it just rubs me the wrong way. I think it has to do with the connotation of “owing”. Not “give”, but “give back” like it’s a debt.
There is just something lefty/irritating about it.
“giving back” terminology has a certain “obligatory” feel to it so I understand your discomfort.
As for me?
“Nihil esse grato animo honestius”
(Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.) Seneca~
You are very welcome ... a very limited explanation, but to cut to the chase it makes every dollar I give, work efficiently. I firmly believe in charitable giving, but I want it to be efficient from my end, AND more important I want the recipient to be efficient with my gift on their end as well.
For example, over 70% of money given to United Way is eaten up by their own administration costs, AND even though you designate an area, by law they do not have to honor your wishes. To me that is outrageous.
I tend to donate to charities where less than 10% of the gift is eaten up in admin costs. 10% may sound high, but in reality it is pretty reasonable.
good for them ... it is an efficient means of xsfer with a few tax benefits. It is what separates private industry from the public sector ... every thing i do is done in the most efficient way i knw how. Our govt .... seems to never have caught on to that concept.
Sure is. Why wasn't he listed in the top 10 was the question.
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