Celebrity Philanthropists

: Jay was awarded the UN Humanitarian Award in 2008 for raising funds and awareness for the world’s water crisis. In addition to creating 1,000 pumps in African communities, Jay also pledged (with Sean “Diddy” Combs) $1 million to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief.

: In 2005, Don Cheadle visited Darfur and wanted to get involved to help people, so so he started a poker tournament organization called “Ante Up” that has raised more than $2.5 million.

: Alicia Keys is the co-founder and global ambassador for “Keep a Child Alive,” a non-profit organization that provides anti-retroviral medications and support to children and families of HIV/AIDS-stricken countries in Africa. The singer/songwriter is also a major contributer to Frum tha Ground Up, a non-profit organization that provides young people with scholarships. Keys received the BET Humanitarian of the Year award earlier this year, alongside singer, Wyclef Jean.

: Rapper/Actor Ludacris launched his foundation in 2001, with friends Chaka Zulu and William Engram that has raised over $500,000 to inspire youth and promote economic development and promote grassroots organizations. In October, he and rapper, T.I. raised over $100,000 for flood relief in Atlanta.

: Mutombo started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve living conditions in his native Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. His efforts earned him the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 2001 and 2009. His foundation opened a $29 million, 300-bed hospital in 2007.

: This year, MJB co-founded a new resource center called the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now for physically and emotionally abused young women in her hometown of Yonkers, New York. (credit: Getty)

: Kanye West started his foundation to address the country’s dropout problem The Kanye West Foundation partners with organizations that encourage children to stay in school. His foundation has provided students with access to music production tools, free concerts, and more. (Credit: Marc Moran)

: Grammy award-winning, Wyclef Jean founded Yele Haiti in 2005 that builds global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment. Yéle’s community service programs include food distribution and mobilizing emergency relief. At the BET awards this year, Wyclef was awarded Humanitarian of the Year Award with Alicia Keys. (Credit: Marco Dominio / Minustah)

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