The following are examples of famous philanthropists who have made and continue to make a difference around the nation. To learn more about famous, past and contemporary philanthropists, visit: http://youth.fdncenter.org/youth_celebrity.html
Lance Armstrong
After surviving cancer, Lance Armstrong founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which provides the practical information and tools people living with cancer need to live strong. The LAF has enhanced the quality of life for those living through, and beyond cancer. To raise money, Lance and his foundation began selling "Live Strong" bracelets which are still in high demand today.
For more information, check out the Lance Armstrong website: www.livestrong.org Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson started his own foundation in 1991 that worked to raise funds for community-based organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs. Today, the foundation works with several national and international organizations to better our future.
In addition to performing at benefit concerts, the Charlottesville musicians established the Bama Works Foundation to carry out their commitment to charitable works, both here in Virginia and worldwide. With his sister, Jane, Dave Matthews also created the Horton Foundation, a private foundation that focuses on smaller organizations working on specific humanitarian, educational an environmental projects here and abroad. Recently, Dave Matthews donated basketball courts in here in Richmond at Luck's Fields Playgrounds.
To learn more about the Bama Works Foundation and Dave Matthews' other charitable works visit:
Oprah's Angel Network, a public charity formed in 1998, was established to encourage people from all around the world to make a difference in the lives of others. Oprah works to inspire other individuals to create opportunities that help undeserved people rise to their potential. Oprah's Angel Network supports charitable projects and provides grants to non-profit organizations across the globe. To date, Oprah's Angel Network has raised more than $27 million, including $7 million from celebrity contributions an sponsors.
To find out more about Oprah and her giving, visit:
George Soros has been an active philanthropist since 1979, when he began providing funds to help black students attend the University of Cape Town in apartheid South Africa. Today he is chairman of the Open Society Institute and the founder of a network of philanthropic organizations that are active in more than 50 countries. As of 2003, PBS estimated that he had given away a total of $4 billion. Soros also pledged an endowment of 420 million euros to the Central European University.
