Oprah Winfrey
For most people, the name Oprah Winfrey is nearly interchangeable with the idea of charity itself. Beyond using her television platform to spotlight countless critical issues, she has consistently demonstrated generosity and dedication to those in need. Her philanthropic work has touched on humanitarian relief, civil rights, disaster recovery, medical research, and more. She has also championed causes related to child protection, education, rape prevention, environmental concerns, and an extensive list of other charities. To further her mission, she founded three organizations—The Angel Network, The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, and The Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation—donating 100% of proceeds generated by each.
In one particularly memorable act of generosity, Oprah handed out $1,000 debit cards to more than 300 audience members, asking them to contribute the money to a charity of their choosing, turning her viewers into philanthropists themselves.