Celebrity do-gooders: Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, Mark Wahlberg and more
Drake
In Drake's music video for his single "God's Plan," it announces upfront that the rapper gave away the $996,631 budget. The music video then shows him surprising some Miami residents with wads of cash and going into a supermarket and announcing to customers that everything they want to buy is on him. Ahead of the music video's release, he had also been spotted in area giving unsuspecting fans surprise gifts, including a $50,000 scholarship to a University of Miami student. Drake posted on Instagram saying that he wanted fans to do something to bring joy to someone and to tag him with the details.
Donnie Wahlberg
New Kids on the Block singer Donnie Wahlberg left a North Carolina waitress a $2,000 tip for an $82.60 meal at Waffle House. Wahlberg created a Facebook live video of the event where he explained that both of his parents waited tables for years, "so when I walk into a #WaffleHouse, and the staff treats me like a king, you better believe I treat them like queens!" He also gave an unsuspecting customer tickets and backstage passes for the concert.
Nicki Minaj
After a fan asked hip-hop star Nicki Minaj if she would pay his college tuition on Twitter, Minaj agreed to pay fans' school costs -- on the condition that they show her perfect marks. She wrote, "Show me straight A's that I can verify w/ur school and I'll pay it." A few dozen fans took Minaj up on the offer, posting screenshots of their grades. Minaj replied individually to some throughout the night and agreed to pay other things like book costs and student loans.
Bette Midler
Bette Midler founded the New York Restoration Project, which creates green spaces in underserved communities throughout NYC.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson, who is a Global Goodwill Ambassador of UN Women, spearheaded a worldwide campaign to transform the way we look at feminism. She helped start the HeForShe movement to inspire upcoming generations to mobilize for change for women's rights around the globe.
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman founded the Laughing Man Foundation, which provides educational and entrepreneurial opportunities to thousands of individuals in need of a boost. "It doesn't matter where we come from, what we want is opportunity. This is about livelihoods, this is about change, this is about hope," Jackman said of the foundation.
Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria founded the Eva Longoria Foundation in 2012 with the goal of "helping Latinas build better futures for themselves and their families through education and entrepreneurship."
Mariska Hargitay
After starring as Olivia Benson on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," Mariska Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation in an effort to rid the world of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
In 2006, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie established the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation to help combat humanitarian crises around the world. When the foundation launched, the then-couple donated up to $1 million to Doctors Without Borders and Global Action for Children.
Leonardo DiCaprio
In 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in an effort to ensure the "long-term health and well-being of all Earth's inhabitants."
Taylor Swift
In September 2007, Taylor Swift worked with Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen to help combat internet sex crimes, particularly working to protect children against online predators. The yearlong campaign worked with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and distributed internet safety information and materials to parents and students across the state.
Billy Joel
Billy Joel established Charity Begins at Home Inc. in 1978, and his concerts continue to be the primary funding agent for the organization. The foundation serves the Tri-State area by helping to fund charities addressing child abuse, domestic violence, autism, cancer and other issues.
James Taylor
After a wildfire displaced more than 80,000 residents of Fort McMurray, Canada, in May 2016, James Taylor decided to turn two of his June concerts in that country into benefits for the Canadian Red Cross.
Bryan Cranston
"Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston fulfilled a dying teen's last wish by meeting him over Skype. Cranston also ordered an ice cream truck for the teen to enjoy with his neighbors.
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
Country singers Faith Hill and Tim McGraw donated $375,000 to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, which assists retired and active Marine and Naval forces in finances, emergency needs and self-sufficiency.
Bret Michaels
Musician Bret Michaels helped collect canned food donations for the Bret Michaels and 102.5 WDVE present First Annual Food Drive Holiday Super Party Extravaganza.
Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris started the Kick Start Foundation in 1990 under the name Kick Drugs Out of America. The original intent of the organization was to help children resist drug-related peer pressures through martial arts training, however the program evolved to also help children build a general sense of self-worth.
Bill Clinton
Former President Bill Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation, which fights to improve global health, alleviate poverty, protect the environment and strengthen the economy.
Denzel Washington
Actor Denzel Washington is a spokesman for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, whose mission is to enhance the lives of children.
Anne Hathaway
Actress Anne Hathaway is a supporter of the Lollipop Theater Network, which brings movie screenings to hospitalized children.
Alice Cooper
Musician Alice Cooper established the Solid Rock Teen Center to enrich the lives of children and teens living in Phoenix.
Akon
Singer-rapper Aliaune "Akon" Thaim founded the Konfidence Foundation, which increases awareness and conditions for children in Africa.
Selena Gomez
Actress and singer Selena Gomez is an Ambassador for UNICEF, which helps children overcome poverty, disease, violence and discrimination.
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg founded The Righteous Persons Foundation using his earnings from "Schindler's List" in the 1990s to fund projects that impact modern Jewish life.
Scarlett Johansson
Actress Scarlett Johansson is an ambassador for Oxfam, which helps find solutions for poverty and injustice.
Uma Thurman
Actress Uma Thurman is a supporter of Room to Grow, an organization that helps babies born in poverty.
Tyra Banks
Model and TV personality Tyra Banks is a member of the board of advisers for the Yele Haiti Foundation, whose mission is to help those affected by the 2005 earthquake.
Will.I.Am
Singer-rapper Will.I.Am is the founder of the i.am.home Fund and i.am.scholarship, which helps those in jeopardy of losing their homes and to offer college scholarships as well as career help.
Hilary Swank
Actress Hilary Swank is a supporter of the Blue Planet Run Foundation, which raises money for awareness and money for safe drinking water.
Ewan McGregor
Actor Ewan McGregor is an ambassador for UNICEF, which helps children living with AIDS.
Matt Damon
Actor Matt Damon is the founder of H2O Africa, which merged with Water.org. The organization raises awareness and money for clean water.
Elijah Wood
Actor Elijah Wood is a supporter of The Art of Elysium, an organization that encourages actors, musicians and other entertainers to help children who are battling serious illnesses.
Lady Gaga
Singer Lady Gaga is a supporter of the Viva Glam Campaign for the MAC AIDS Fund, whose mission is to raise awareness for AIDS.
Sharon Osbourne
TV personality Sharon Osbourne established the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program to help improve the lives of patients and their families.
Eminem
Rapper Marshall "Eminem" Mathers founded the Marshall Mathers Foundation to help disadvantaged youth in Michigan.
Andy Roddick
American tennis player Andy Roddick established the Andy Roddick Tennis Foundation to improve the quality of life and create better opportunities for children everywhere.
Betty White
Actress and comedian Betty White is the president emeritus of the Morris Animal Foundation, which aims to treat and cure sick animals.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles created the Survivor Foundation, which assists families and individuals whose lives have been affected by disasters, natural or otherwise.
Rapper Chris "Ludacris" Bridges created the Ludacris Foundation, which strives to inspire youth through education and memorable experiences to live their dreams by uplifting families, communities and fostering economic development.
Michael J. Fox established the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The organization is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensure the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's.
Bono co-founded ONE, an organization that aims to fight poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, by raising awareness and pressuring political leaders to support smart and effective policies and programs.
Singer Mary J. Blige created the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, which inspires women from all walks of life to gain the confidence and skills they need to reach their potential.
DJ Beverly Bond founded Black Girls Rock, and organization that promotes the arts for young women of color, as well as to encourage dialogue and analysis of the ways women of color are portrayed in the media.
Retired Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant is an ambassador for After-School All-Stars. The organization's mission is to help kids succeed in school and in life.
Madonna co-founded Raising Malawi, an organization whose mission is to bring an end to the extreme poverty and hardship endured by Malawi's 2,000,000 orphans.
Actor Mark Wahlberg founded the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, which strives to improve the quality of life for inner-city youth through a partnership with youth organizations.
Elton John is the founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The organization supports innovative HIV prevention programs, and works to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS.
Singer Carrie Underwood created the C.A.T.S. Foundation, which helps with general causes, needs and services in the Checotah, Oklahoma, area to help the community.
Actress Christina Applegate founded Right Action for Women, an organization that provides aid to individuals who are at increased risk for breast cancer and do not have insurance or the flexibility to cover the costs associated with breast screenings.
Singer Alicia Keys co-founded Keep a Child Alive, an organization whose mission is to provide treatment, love and support to families in Africa and India affected by HIV/AIDS.