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.
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