Black Actresses Who Donate a Significant Portion of Their Wealth

Philanthropy is a cornerstone of success for many Black women in Hollywood, who often view their wealth as a tool for community upliftment and social change. These actresses leverage their financial resources to fund scholarships, health initiatives, and social justice movements that address systemic disparities. By establishing their own foundations or partnering with major non-profits, they ensure that a substantial percentage of their earnings goes directly back to those in need. The following women are recognized not just for their talent on screen, but for their immense generosity and commitment to giving back.

Oprah Winfrey

As one of the most generous philanthropists in history, Oprah Winfrey has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to causes related to education and leadership. She established the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa to provide world-class education to disadvantaged students. Her charitable foundation has also awarded significant grants to organizations like the United Negro College Fund and various disaster relief efforts. Winfrey consistently emphasizes that her wealth is a means to empower others, demonstrating this through her massive personal contributions.

Rihanna

While she is a global music icon, Rihanna has established herself as a formidable actress with roles in ‘Ocean’s 8’ and ‘Battleship’. Her Clara Lionel Foundation has poured millions into climate justice, education, and emergency response programs across the Caribbean and the United States. During the global pandemic, she donated a significant percentage of her liquid assets to relief efforts, providing protective equipment and food bank support. Her philanthropic strategy focuses on building climate resilience and advocating for education in developing nations.

Beyoncé

Known for her work in ‘Dreamgirls’ and ‘The Lion King’, Beyoncé operates the BeyGOOD foundation to tackle economic inequities and provide disaster relief. She has donated millions to support small Black-owned businesses that struggled to survive during economic downturns. Her initiative also provides scholarships to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to ensure the next generation has access to higher education. By consistently funneling tour proceeds and personal wealth into these programs, she maintains a high level of charitable output.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Through the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation, Jada Pinkett Smith directs substantial resources toward arts education and sustainability. The organization focuses on providing access to careers in the entertainment industry for youth from underserved communities. She has personally invested in water sanitation projects and initiatives that empower young women in urban environments. Her approach to giving combines direct financial support with mentorship programs that create long-term career pathways.

Halle Berry

For decades, Halle Berry has been a dedicated supporter of the Jenesse Center, an organization that provides holistic trauma intervention for victims of domestic violence. She not only donates money but also leads fundraising campaigns to renovate transitional housing facilities for women and children. Her contributions help provide legal services, vocational training, and therapy for survivors rebuilding their lives. Berry views her financial support of these shelters as a critical responsibility to her community.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis has made the eradication of childhood hunger a primary focus of her charitable giving. As a partner with the Hunger Is campaign, she has helped raise millions to provide meals for children in schools across America. Her personal donations support food banks in her home state of Rhode Island, ensuring that low-income families have consistent access to nutrition. Davis speaks openly about her own childhood experiences with poverty, motivating her to give a significant portion of her earnings to these causes.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington utilizes her platform and resources to support civil rights and arts education through various organizations. She is deeply involved with the ACLU and has financially backed initiatives that protect voter rights and promote civic engagement. Additionally, she supports programs that bring arts curriculum back into underfunded public schools. Washington’s philanthropy is strategic, targeting systemic issues that affect marginalized communities on a national level.

Taraji P. Henson

To address the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community, Taraji P. Henson founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. She has committed a large percentage of her time and money to offering free therapy sessions and establishing wellness pods in urban schools. Her foundation provides scholarships to African American students pursuing careers in psychology and psychiatry. Henson’s financial commitment aims to bridge the gap between the Black community and culturally competent mental healthcare.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah founded the Lancelot H. Owens Scholarship Foundation in memory of her late brother to provide college tuition for students in need. She has also been a long-time donor to the American Heart Association and various cancer research organizations. Her philanthropy extends to supporting small businesses and community development projects in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey. Latifah quietly funnels resources into these local initiatives to foster economic stability for working-class families.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union is a fierce advocate for women’s health and has donated significantly to organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She often directs her charitable giving toward survivors of sexual assault and initiatives that support LGBTQ+ youth. Union also provided financial relief to families affected by the pandemic, covering rent and essential bills for those in crisis. Her giving is characterized by immediate, direct action to help vulnerable individuals.

Jennifer Hudson

In honor of her late nephew, Jennifer Hudson created the Julian D. King Gift Foundation to provide stability and positive experiences for children of all backgrounds. The foundation organizes massive annual toy drives and school supply giveaways in Chicago, funded largely by Hudson’s personal contributions. She also supports nutrition programs that ensure children have healthy meals during the holidays. Hudson’s charity work is deeply personal and focused on bringing joy and resources to underprivileged youth.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys co-founded Keep a Child Alive to provide life-saving medicine and care to families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. She dedicates a substantial portion of her wealth to funding clinics and community support systems for those living with the disease. Beyond healthcare, her organization focuses on the social and economic factors that drive the epidemic. Keys’ sustained financial backing has helped the organization grow into a global force for health equity.

Zendaya

Zendaya uses her growing fortune to support education and health initiatives, including substantial donations to the UNAIDS program. She has partnered with organizations like Convoy of Hope to fund disaster relief and food distribution services. Her birthday fundraising campaigns often direct hundreds of thousands of dollars to women’s empowerment charities. Zendaya actively encourages her fanbase to match her contributions, amplifying the financial impact of her philanthropy.

Regina King

Regina King is a dedicated supporter of the I Promise School, contributing resources to help at-risk students succeed academically. She also donates to legal defense funds that support individuals who have been wrongfully incarcerated or cannot afford representation. Her charitable portfolio includes support for organizations that advocate for gender equality in the entertainment industry. King’s giving is focused on creating systemic fairness and educational opportunities for marginalized youth.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o serves as a global ambassador for WildAid and donates to conservation efforts that protect endangered species in Africa. She also supports Mother Health International, an organization that provides relief to pregnant women and children in areas of disaster and extreme poverty. Her contributions help fund birthing centers and medical supplies in Uganda and other developing nations. Nyong’o combines her environmental advocacy with humanitarian aid to support sustainable communities.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer has donated thousands of medical supplies and respiratory monitors to hospitals serving low-income communities. She is also a major benefactor for City Year, an education non-profit that provides mentorship and academic support to students in high-poverty schools. During the pandemic, she bought out entire movie theaters to allow underserved communities to see films featuring diverse representation for free. Spencer’s generosity often targets the immediate, practical needs of schools and healthcare facilities.

Janelle Monáe

Through her Fem the Future foundation, Janelle Monáe funds mentorship programs for young women in music and the arts. She has donated to organizations aimed at bailing out protestors and providing legal aid to social justice activists. Monáe also partnered with local organizations in Atlanta to distribute food and hygiene products to families in need. Her philanthropy focuses on empowering women creators and supporting grassroots social movements.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae is a major investor in Destination Crenshaw, a massive open-air museum and cultural project designed to revitalize Black Los Angeles. She has also partnered with organizations to provide grants and financial relief to Black small business owners. Her giving is rooted in economic empowerment and the preservation of Black culture within gentrifying neighborhoods. Rae directs her wealth toward creating sustainable economic ecosystems for people of color.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross is a passionate supporter of organizations that protect reproductive rights and women’s health. She has served as a trustee for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, donating funds to support after-school programs nationwide. Ross also contributes to workforce development programs that help women enter male-dominated industries. Her philanthropy is centered on gender equity and providing safe spaces for youth development.

Tiffany Haddish

Drawing from her own experience in the system, Tiffany Haddish founded the She Ready Foundation to support children in foster care. She donates suitcases and essential travel items to foster children so they do not have to move their belongings in trash bags. Her foundation also provides internship programs and mental health resources for transition-age youth. Haddish dedicates a portion of every paycheck to ensuring foster youth feel dignified and supported.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is an active supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and acts as a UNICEF ambassador. Her donations help fund diabetes research and heart health initiatives, causes that disproportionately affect the African American community. She also supports arts institutions that provide theater training to young people of color. Bassett’s giving spans across health, education, and the arts, reflecting her holistic approach to community wellness.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg has been a tireless advocate for the homeless and has raised millions through her involvement with Comic Relief. She donates to various medical research foundations, particularly those focused on AIDS and cancer. Her philanthropy also extends to animal welfare organizations, where she funds shelters and rescue operations. Goldberg uses her long-standing career to maintain consistent financial support for humanitarian aid.

Cicely Tyson

Before her passing, Cicely Tyson was a titan of generosity, supporting the Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts in East Orange, New Jersey. She donated substantial funds to keep the school’s arts programs running and often paid for students’ uniforms and supplies. Her estate and legacy continue to fund scholarships for aspiring young actors. Tyson believed deeply in education as a pathway to freedom and invested heavily in the next generation.

Phylicia Rashād

Phylicia Rashād directs much of her charitable giving toward Historically Black Colleges and Universities, specifically Howard University. She funds scholarships for theater students and supports the renovation of fine arts facilities. Rashād also contributes to organizations that provide food and shelter to the homeless in Washington D.C. and New York. Her philanthropy focuses on preserving the legacy of Black academic institutions.

Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen established the Debbie Allen Dance Academy to provide dance training to students regardless of their financial status. She personally subsidizes tuition for hundreds of students who cannot afford classes, ensuring talent is not wasted due to lack of funds. Her organization also offers comprehensive arts education programs to inner-city youth. Allen’s wealth is poured directly into cultivating the artistic potential of young people.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer works closely with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and has funded savings programs to teach financial literacy to youth. She donates to organizations that provide technology and internet access to students in low-income school districts. Palmer also supports charities focused on bullying prevention and mental wellness for teenagers. Her giving is aimed at providing practical tools for success to the digital generation.

Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi founded Eighteen x 18, a platform that provides resources for civic engagement and voter registration. She donates to organizations that support girls’ education in STEM fields and advocates for funding in public schools. Shahidi also supports healthcare initiatives that address disparities in medical treatment for women of color. Her philanthropy is intellectually driven, focusing on policy change and educational equity.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson is the co-founder of Voto Latino, an organization that empowers young Hispanic and Black voters to engage in the political process. She donates to environmental causes and organizations that build sustainable housing for the homeless. Dawson also supports ethical fashion initiatives that provide fair wages to women artisans in Africa. Her giving connects social justice, environmentalism, and civic participation.

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldaña founded the media platform BESE to combat the lack of diversity in mainstream media, investing her own capital to tell underrepresented stories. She supports organizations that provide medical treatment to children in developing countries and funds cancer research. Saldaña also participates in fundraising for food banks in Los Angeles. Her philanthropy is focused on narrative change and essential humanitarian aid.

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard is a founder of Artists for a New South Africa, an organization dedicated to combating HIV/AIDS and advancing human rights. She has raised and donated millions to support democracy and health initiatives in South Africa. Woodard also supports foster care programs in the United States, advocating for the rights of children in the system. Her work bridges the gap between American civil rights and global human rights struggles.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba serves as an ambassador for Heifer International, donating to programs that provide livestock and agricultural training to end hunger and poverty. She funds initiatives that help women in Africa start their own small businesses and achieve financial independence. Aduba also supports cancer research charities in honor of her family members. Her giving focuses on sustainable development and health equity.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox is a major donor to organizations that support LGBTQ+ rights, specifically those aiding trans women of color. She supports the Transgender Law Center and funds emergency housing for homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Cox also contributes to scholarship funds that help trans students attend college. Her philanthropy is dedicated to the survival and thriving of the transgender community.

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira founded Almasi Arts to professionalize the dramatic arts industry in Zimbabwe through education and collaboration. She also launched Love Our Girls, an initiative that highlights the injustices faced by women and girls globally. Gurira donates to organizations that fight gender-based violence and promote female literacy. Her work aims to empower African women through both arts and advocacy.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright supports various charities in her native Guyana and the UK, focusing on education and youth development. She donates to film festivals and programs that provide equipment and training to aspiring filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds. Wright also supports mental health charities that offer counseling services to young people. Her giving is focused on opening doors for the next generation of creatives.

Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton is a board member of V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls. She donates significantly to the City of Joy in the Congo, a center that heals and empowers survivors of sexual violence. Newton also supports charities that provide legal aid to victims of human trafficking. Her philanthropy is deeply rooted in the protection and restoration of women survivors.

Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones acts as a board member for Peace First, an organization that empowers young people to create social change in their communities. She donates to the International Rescue Committee, providing relief to refugees and those displaced by conflict. Jones also supports literacy programs and public library systems. Her giving supports global humanitarian efforts and youth civic leadership.

Maya Rudolph

Maya Rudolph supports organizations dedicated to epilepsy research and awareness, a cause close to her family. She donates to environmental charities focused on ocean conservation and plastic reduction. Rudolph also contributes to food pantries and organizations that provide school lunches to children. Her philanthropy addresses health, hunger, and environmental sustainability.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson was one of the founding signatories of the Time’s Up movement, donating to the legal defense fund for victims of workplace harassment. She supports organizations that advocate for diversity and inclusion within the film industry. Thompson also contributes to bail funds and social justice organizations fighting police brutality. Her giving is activist-oriented, challenging systemic power imbalances.

Ruth Negga

Ruth Negga supports the ACLU and organizations that protect the civil liberties of immigrants and refugees. She donates to arts programs in Ireland and the UK that make theater accessible to working-class communities. Negga also supports charities that provide resources for children in foster care. Her philanthropy focuses on civil rights and cultural access.

Holly Robinson Peete

Holly Robinson Peete founded the HollyRod Foundation to provide compassionate care to those living with autism and Parkinson’s disease. She dedicates a massive portion of her net worth to funding vocational training and job placement for adults with autism. Her foundation also provides support services and resources for families navigating these diagnoses. Peete’s life work is ensuring that neurodivergent individuals have the opportunity to lead independent, fulfilling lives.

Tell us which of these philanthropic efforts inspired you the most in the comments.