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Becoming a celebrity means a person has the power to invoke change. They're in the public eye and whether they like it or not, they're a role model for someone. With the financial means to do so, many celebrities begin giving back to those who need it most. But the celebrities on this list don't just donate their face or time to different charities around the world, they created charities of their own.
Depending on the cause that hits close to home for these celebs, they create the means for a better tomorrow for thousands of people and continue to do so. To start off the beginning of a new year, let's take a look at 10 celebrities who are consistently doing good things through their charity work.
Leonardo DiCaprio: The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
From Titanic to The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio is a skilled actor. He's been acting since a child and only seems to get better as time goes on. But his acting skills aren't the only thing that continues to improve, it's his dedication to climate change that compelled him to create his own charity to lend a helping hand.
The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation was founded in 1998 in protects our climate and wildlife from extinction. According to the foundation's website, the LDF focuses on six major areas, "Wildlands Conservation, Oceans Conservation, Climate Change, Indigenous Rights, Transforming California, and Innovative Solutions." And due to his hard work, he was awarded the United Nations Messenger of Peace for Climate Change.
Miley Cyrus: Happy Hippie
Miley Cyrus is known for her music and acting capabilities but she's also known for her big heart and love for all walks of life. In 2014, Miley founded a non-profit organization called Happy Hippie, which supports our youth and LGBT+ communities in crisis.
The organization does its best to prevent homelessness and to educate the public on how to help through different fundraising campaigns.
Matt Damon: The H2O Africa Foundation
Matt Damon is an award-winning actor and producer. He's known for his Bourne Identity movies, Good Will Hunting, and The Departed. Along with his fantastic acting, Matt's charitable efforts are also noted. After filing Running the Sahara, Matt went on to create a charity aimed at creating clean water for people worldwide.
Water.org has already helped 25 million people have access to clean water. Through different grants and donations, Damon's charity continues to put an end to the worldwide water crisis.
Jennifer Lopez: The Lopez Family Foundation
Founded in 2009, The Lopez Family Foundation was created by Jennifer Lopez and her sister Lynda. The foundation caters to women and children in need of medical attention in communities where it's not always easy to get such help.
From Puerto Rico to Panama to the Bronx, this charity shines a light on a growing problem in lower-income areas. Thanks to Jennifer's hard work, she became a Global Advocate for Girls and Women at the UN Foundation back in 2015.
Matthew McConaughey: The Just Keep Livin Foundation
Matthew McConaughey is a well-accomplished actor with a big heart. With three children of his own, Matthew and his wife created The Just Keep Livin Foundation to support children and teens through education.
His foundation gives high school students the tools to become more successful and independent individuals. The non-profit organization teaches children about the body and mind and how to connect the two. Through conscious thinking, fitness, clean eating, and goal setting, The J.K. Living Foundation has made its mark on over 37 high schools.
Emma Watson: HeForShe
Emma Watson is only 29 years old and has already created an amazing impact on people around the world. Her foundation HeForShe is about unification and solidarity for gender equality.
With the help of UN Women, HeForShe takes action in different communities to support the further enhancement of women's rights. From Pakistan to Malwai, Emma Watson saw a global problem and is using her celebrity for the greater good. She may be known best for her work in Harry Potter but in the next couple of years, it wouldn't be surprising if she became more well-known for her activism.
Ashton Kutcher: Thorn
Founded in 2009, Ashton Kutcher and his ex-wife Demi Moore created Thorn; a non-profit organization that creates technology to put a stop against human trafficking, especially with children. With the best minds in tech, they created a task force to find a way to save children and put an end to online human trafficking.
While it's nearly impossible to control the internet, Thorn is doing its best in tracking down the bad guys, cleaning the inapt photos and content from the Internet, and saving children in need.
Oprah: Multiple Charities
Oprah needs no introduction. The former talk show host is much more than a woman in media. She's an empire — she's an executive. With a net worth of over $2.7 billion, Oprah has gone on to create multiple charities like The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, The Angel Network, and The Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation.
The Oprah Winfrey Foundation finds grants for different non-profit organizations and The Angel Network gives back to women and children in undeveloped countries. With the amount of power and influence Oprah has, there's nothing she can't do.
Pharrell Williams: From One Hand to AnOTHER
Pharell Williams is known for his smooth voice and catchy songs but he needs to be known for something else: From One Hand to AnOTHER, his charity directed towards children.
Thanks to summer camps designed by FOHTA, children who live in at-risk environments have the chance to learn and be empowered in a fun and inviting atmosphere. The camps are completely free for the families as the foundation seeks donations and grants to supply these elementary and middle-school aged children with the tools for success.
Meryl Streep: Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts
Meryl Streep is a living and breathing goddess who is simply untouched in the acting world. Along with her husband Donald Gummer, the two created Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts.
Founded in the early '80s, it's an independent organization that has donated millions to Vassar College along with different programs for the hungry, homeless, and the arts.
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