Actors Who Founded Their Own Charities and Funds

Many actors channel their fame into hands-on philanthropy by building charities and funds that tackle issues from health and education to human rights and climate action. Below is a look at male actors who didn’t just donate or lend a name—they created organizations with clear missions, programs, and measurable impact in communities around the world.

Paul Newman

Paul Newman created the Newman’s Own Foundation to direct 100% of profits and royalties from his food company to charity. The foundation has granted well over half a billion dollars to thousands of organizations worldwide. A signature focus is SeriousFun Children’s Network, which runs free camps for children with serious illnesses.

Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to drive therapies for Parkinson’s disease. The foundation is one of the largest nonprofit funders of Parkinson’s research globally, backing clinical trials, biomarker discovery, and data-sharing platforms. It also provides patient resources and policy advocacy to speed access to care.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to support wildlife conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate solutions. The foundation has funded projects protecting oceans, rainforests, and endangered species, and later helped launch Earth Alliance to scale environmental grantmaking. It also supports indigenous rights and climate education initiatives.

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck founded the Eastern Congo Initiative to support locally led organizations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The initiative provides grants, advocacy, and market connections for programs in maternal health, justice, and economic development. It has also partnered with businesses to create sustainable sourcing opportunities for Congolese farmers.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon co-founded H2O Africa, which later merged with WaterPartners to form Water.org. The nonprofit expands access to safe water and sanitation through microfinance, utility partnerships, and smart subsidies. Its WaterCredit model has catalyzed millions of household loans, improving health and economic outcomes across multiple countries.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn co-founded CORE (originally J/P Haitian Relief Organization) after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. CORE specializes in disaster preparedness, emergency relief, and community health services, operating mobile clinics and vaccination campaigns. The organization has responded to crises in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the United States.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. founded Footprint Coalition to accelerate technologies that restore and protect the environment. The effort combines philanthropic grants with venture investment in areas like materials innovation, reforestation tools, and biodiversity monitoring. It also supports public education on climate-tech solutions.

George Clooney

George Clooney co-founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice to advance human rights through legal advocacy. Its programs include The Docket, which investigates war crimes and supports prosecutions, and the Waging Justice for Women initiative. The foundation also provides resources for journalists and human rights defenders at risk.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg created the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation to improve the lives of young people in underserved communities. The foundation funds summer camps, mentorship programs, and substance-use prevention efforts. It also provides grants to youth service organizations across the United States.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger founded what became After-School All-Stars, providing free after-school programs for middle-school students. The nonprofit offers academic support, health and fitness, and career exploration in cities nationwide. Its programs aim to boost attendance, grades, and graduation readiness.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher co-founded Thorn to build technology that defends children from sexual abuse. Thorn creates tools used by tech platforms and law enforcement to identify and remove child sexual abuse material and to find victims faster. It also works with industry partners to improve platform safety by design.

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker founded the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative to promote peacebuilding and youth empowerment in conflict-affected communities. The initiative runs training centers that teach conflict resolution, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy. It partners with local actors and international agencies to scale community-led solutions.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt founded the Make It Right Foundation to build sustainable, affordable homes for communities in need, beginning in New Orleans. The foundation promoted green design, energy efficiency, and resilient construction standards. He also co-founded efforts focused on human rights and crisis response with other advocates.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves established a private foundation that funds cancer research and supports children’s hospitals. The foundation operates without public fundraising and directs resources to medical research and pediatric care. Reeves has kept the entity low-profile while maintaining consistent charitable giving.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland co-founded The Brothers Trust to amplify small charities with high-impact projects. The trust raises funds through events and campaigns, then grants to vetted organizations addressing issues like medical care, education, and poverty alleviation. It emphasizes transparency by showcasing beneficiary updates and outcomes.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo founded Water Defense to protect water resources and later co-founded The Solutions Project to advance clean energy adoption. The Solutions Project funds frontline groups accelerating a just transition to renewable energy. It also runs public campaigns that lift up community-led climate solutions.

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon launched SixDegrees.org to turn social networks into engines for good. The nonprofit connects donors with grassroots causes and provides toolkits for fundraising and volunteer mobilization. It also spotlights local nonprofits to help them access microgrants and broader public support.

Adam Driver

Adam Driver founded Arts in the Armed Forces to bring live theater and film readings to military communities. The organization curates performances featuring contemporary plays and facilitates discussions between artists and service members. It also awards grants to emerging playwrights through its Bridge Award.

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan established the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation to support education, medical services, and disaster relief. The foundation provides scholarships, funds pediatric care, and mobilizes aid after natural disasters. It collaborates with hospitals, schools, and NGOs to deliver targeted assistance across Asia and beyond.

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman co-founded the Laughing Man Foundation to reinvest profits from his coffee brand into community development. The foundation backs education, health, and livelihood projects in coffee-growing regions. It also supports fair trade practices and farmer resilience programs.

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle co-founded Not On Our Watch to focus international attention and resources on mass atrocities and human rights crises. The organization supported protection initiatives and humanitarian projects in conflict zones. Its advocacy contributed to policy discussions and funding for at-risk communities.

Gary Sinise

Gary Sinise created the Gary Sinise Foundation to serve veterans, first responders, and their families. Programs include home building for severely wounded heroes, mental health and resilience initiatives, and community outreach events. The foundation also funds educational programs that honor service and sacrifice.

Ian Somerhalder

Ian Somerhalder founded the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to support animal welfare, habitat restoration, and youth environmental leadership. The foundation funds rescue groups, promotes spay–neuter programs, and sponsors eco-education projects. It engages volunteers through grants, mentorship, and community campaigns.

Aamir Khan

Aamir Khan co-founded Paani Foundation to fight drought and water scarcity in rural India. The foundation runs large-scale watershed competitions that mobilize villages to implement soil and water conservation. Training, tools, and community leadership are central to its long-term water security approach.

Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan founded the Meer Foundation to support women’s empowerment and survivors of acid attacks. The foundation provides medical treatment, legal aid, rehabilitation, and livelihood assistance. It also funds hospital infrastructure and emergency relief during disasters.

If you know other male actors who have founded impactful charities or funds, share their names and the organizations they started in the comments!