Does Oprah Winfrey Donate to Any Charities

Many people across the world have heard of Oprah's Angel Network, but while the organization makes good use of the donations provided by various supporters, the question remains: Does Oprah Winfrey donate to any charities? The answer is most certainly yes, and the focus of those donations provides some insight into the beliefs and values of Oprah herself.

Oprah's Charities

According to a 2007 slideshow by Forbes, Oprah Winfrey made the list of the "Richest 20 Women in Entertainment," netting an impressive $2 million every year, and over $225 million each year from a variety of other sources. As of 2007, her net worth was over $1.5 billion. All of this wealth begs the question; does Oprah Winfrey donate to any charities? If she does, where does she spread that wealth?

According to LookToTheStars.com, Oprah has "supported" a list of twelve charities, including the Clinton Foundation, Free the Children, Women for Women International, and Project Cuddle. However, where has Oprah actually "dug deep" and invested some of her own cash to support specific causes? The examples below provide a few cases where she did, in fact, do just that.

As part of the total $4 million contribution to educational programs from the Oprah Winfrey Foundation in 2008, Oprah personally sent a $365,000 check to Ron Clark, the founder of a private academy in a poor South Atlanta neighborhood. Along with the check, Oprah personally wrote a note to Clark where she told him that he was making a "profound difference" with his teaching. According to Clark's comments to the press, the school has to raise its own funds in order to remain in operation, so Oprah's check was a miracle for the children who attended the school under scholarship funds. Oprah likely turned her attention toward the school after Clark's students produced a powerful political rap video titled "Vote However U Like," published to YouTube during the last presidential election and picked up by major TV networks.

In 2004, Oprah donated $5 million toward scholarships for students attending Morehouse College in Atlanta. According to news reports Oprah donated to the school before, and with this donation her total gift as of 2004 was $12 million. Oprah told reporters that she originally wanted to help 100 students successfully graduate, but as of 2004 her goal was to help 1,000 students make it through. Morehouse describes itself as "the best college in the nation for educating African Americans," and "the College of Choice for black men." Morehouse is considered one of the most prestigious private schools in Atlanta.

In 2008, Oprah surprised the group, the "Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro" with a check for $220,000 and a promise of a total of $1 million toward a scholarship program. The goal of Oprah's donation was to infuse money into a community that was founded in 1900 by black American investors. The Concerned Citizens group seeks to improve the quality of life in Whitesboro, and Oprah's $1 million contribution would go directly toward their goals of developing the community's youth.

In addition to the examples above, Oprah also:

• Donated $10 million in 2000 to A Better Chance, a private charitable organization that helps minority children in inner city schools excel and succeed in the competitive race to gain acceptance to the country's finest colleges and universities.
• Gifted $1 million to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California to help with a major $700 million construction project. The hospital is located near the community where Oprah has a house in Montecito.

Overall, Oprah donates to charity often. Her charity efforts seem focused on charitable causes that are centered on improving the quality of life for minorities across the world. This includes schools for children in inner cities, helping to improve the welfare of minority women around the world, and elevating the educational and financial success of minorities in both America and abroad. If charitable giving provides a window into a celebrity's personal beliefs and convictions, then Oprah's giving reveals that she has a very strong sense of personal heritage, and believes in the importance of giving back to the community.

• Tracking Charitable Donations for Taxes
• Fundraising Strategic Plan
• Request for Donation Letters

• List of Nonprofit Organizations
• Furniture Donation Pick Up
• Sample Letters Asking for Donations
• Samples of Non Profit Fundraising Letters
• Samples of Thank You Letter for Donations

• Donate Automobiles America
• Charities of Oprah Winfrey
• Charities Rated
• Charities Which Accept Automobile Donations
• Main Page