Ariana Grande's $5M giveaway, and other top-30 celebrity donations

Pop star Ariana Grande teamed up with BetterHelp to give away an astounding $5 million in therapy. On social media, the singer acknowledged that "there are very real barriers when it comes to accessing mental health resources" and called her contribution "only one small gesture."

We look at those celebrities who have changed people's lives for the better thanks to their jaw-dropping donations. Many celebrities have given millions over the years, supporting national as well as international charities; and making huge donations when disaster strikes with hurricanes, bushfires, and COVID. These are the top 30 celebrities (a list compiled by The Giving Back Fund) who donated millions.

The handsome actor from Australia of course rushed to help when support was needed in the fight against the Australian bushfires. He was very public with the issue, posting on social media and calling for help amongst his peers, fellow actors, and fans. He made a contribution of $1m to the cause and has funded organizations helping animals and promoting human rights.

The actor is the son of a substitute teacher, putting education very close to his heart. He gives grants to community schools in Central Texas and LA; inspires those who struggle with AIDS and cancer to keep fighting; and donates his earned cash to whole communities. He established the Just Keep Livin’ Foundation after playing an illness survivor in Dallas Buyer’s Club and raised an incredible $1,537,292.

A cute couple who have seen those who need the most help and started there. They have most recently donated $1m to help those most affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The Deadpool star Reynolds said on his Instagram: "COVID-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low income families… Blake and I are donating $1 million to be split between Feeding America and Food Banks Canada. If you can give, these orgs need our help."

Britain’s best loved chef. In 2017, he was in the list of the top 10 most generous UK celebrities as, in that year alone, donated over $2m towards food education and work training. His efforts to try and change school meals forever will always be one of Jamie’s most worthwhile causes.

This actress donates to causes close to her heart. She donated donated $2 million to Kosair Children’s Hospital in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky in 2016 and supports programs for the arts in Louisville through her foundation, the Jennifer Lawrence Arts Fund. So much more than a beautiful woman with an Oscar.

The couple have been supporting those who are on the frontline. They have aided emergency services and healthcare workers, as well as donating more than $1m to COVID-19 causes - including the NHS in the UK. They have also recently donated $1m to Lebanese relief charities after the capital, Beirut was left devastated from an explosion. Amal Clooney, a human rights lawyer, was born in Beirut.

The late singer, who sadly passed in 2016, was known for secretly donating to strangers. In fact, once he gave a contestant on “Deal of no Deal” a huge sum of cash to get IVF treatment. He made the biggest impact on Childline, a counselling service set up to help children in trouble or suffering trauma. "Over the years he gave us millions..." Childline founder Esther Rantzen said. She also said that nobody knew "how much he gave to the nation’s most vulnerable children.”

The singer/musician created his Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation which assists those experiencing poverty. He has now opened three ‘pay-if-you-can’ restaurants, builds houses for homeless veterans and donates to trains service dogs. If that isn’t enough, the ‘Living on a Prayer’ singer has donated $1 each to aid reconstruction after Hurricane Katrina and a further $1 after Hurricane Sandy.

Lady Gaga supports a total of 76 different charities and organisations, most notably, the M·A·C AIDS Fund ,The National Alliance to End Homelessness, Re*Generation and STANDUP FOR KIDS, both latter charities dedicated to creating futures for children with emotional, social and behavioural issues. The two-time Grammy winner and actress also donated all of the proceeds ($500,000) of one of her Monster Ball shows to the relief fund set up in wake of the Haiti earthquake.

Many know Emma Watson for delivering speeches and highlighting issues such as gender equality, human rights and women’s issues. She donated $1.3m to the UK Justice and Equality Fund in 2018 to help those who have suffered harassment. The Harry Potter actress has also reportedly been a victim of harassment herself, which is why these issues are so very close to her and why she spends her time and a lot of cash on bringing these matters into the spotlight.

The actress promoted V-Day, a festival that aims to start a global movement to stop violence against women and girls around the world. She has helped raise $50m over the years for this cause. The actress said, "Any time you’re helping someone is very important and, of course, when children are involved. I feel like your celebrity is not about the fortune or the fame. But if you can’t help anyone then it’s in vain, it’s pointless."

This Hollywood couple started their Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation which focuses on the arts and education. The talented artistic family have improved many families’ lives through giving via their foundation but also donate to a number of other organisations, too. One year, they gave an estimated total of $1.3m to various charities.

Oscar winning actress and her husband help support hunger, homelessness, education and human rights. In fact, via the Silver Mountain Foundation of the Arts, they give away approximately $1m a year to these causes. In 2009, Streep made a very steep donation of $4m to the charity and once made a donation of $1.2m to Vassar College.

The singer, like other celebrities, has donated to disaster causes, including $1m after flooding in Louisiana and $10,00 in aide after the Tennessee wildfires. She likes to reward her fans and has been known to help them through times of hardship; but she also strongly helps and promotes music education: as she did in 2012 when she gave $4m to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Of course, everyone remembers the horrific Manchester bombing at her concert in May 2017. Many were injured and 22 of those who attended were killed. She hosted a benefit concert and donated all proceeds to raise money for those affected by the attack. 'One Love Manchester' raised about $3m in just three hours. According to Digital Spy, the final figure stood at a huge $24.5m.

Named as one of the most influential people in the world by Time in 2017, Neymar Jr has done a fantastic job helping provide education and health services for children in the community of Praia Grand, São Paulo. He has so far raised £4,817,730 for Instituto Neymar Jr, his organisation that shares this footballer’s cash amongst those most in need from his home country.

Although the couple divorced in 2019, and their money is currently still being eaten up by lawyers and pricey court bills, Angelina and Brad made significant contributions to charities. They have contributed 25% of their earnings to their foundation, helped build green homes in New Orleans and given over $8m to help refugees. Jolie also more recently donated $1m to fight child hunger during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The former footballer and Spice Girl contribute to various organisations via their Victoria and David Beckham Charitable Trust. They also auction off personal items to raise money. David Beckham donated $4.5m of his salary in 2013 to children’s charities and has been known to donate millions in order to support veterans, those suffering hunger and poverty and AIDS causes.

‘The Passion of Christ’ director and Hollywood actor has given away $10m to reimburse hospitals for healthcare given to children. He also donated $1m to the relief fund set up after Hurricane Stan in Mexico. Catholics especially applaud his philanthropy, having donated around $15m in total over the years to the Holy Family Catholic Church.

The football player actually auctioned off his Ballon d’Or trophy in 2017 and donated the proceeds to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He has given millions over the years to help children in health care and those facing poverty. In 2015, the Portuguese football player donated an incredible $6.4m to aide relief efforts after the earthquake in Nepal which killed almost 9,000 people and left 3.5 million citizens homeless.

Rihanna has spread her fortune over a number of charities which she supports through her Clara Lionel Foundation. It has donated over $5m towards organisations that run food banks, supports students from the Caribbean seeking higher education and, in fact, she is one of many to thank for the COVID-19 vaccine, as her cash was donated to help research. In 2017 she received the Harvard University Humanitarian of the Year Award.

The former Beatle boasts quite a large fortune. $1.2 billion to be exact. No one is quite sure as to the amounts of his donations as he doesn’t tend to publicise his generosity. We do know he has supported PETA, The OneVoice Movement and Meat Free Monday; and he has also been known to give entire earnings from his shows (which can amount to millions) entirely to non-profit organisations.

With a combined net worth of over $1.5 billion, this couple has worked hard giving to those who need it most, focusing on civil rights, addiction, education and helping children worldwide. They pay school fees, promote education for people of colour and even support environmental causes. After the protests in Baltimore for the Black Lives Matter movement, Jay Z reportedly wired over the bail money for the protesters involved; while Beyoncé donated $7m in relief after Hurricane Katrina. Together, they are one of the greatest philanthropic couples in the world.

Deservedly, Beyoncé gets her own name on this list, aside form the work she does alongside her husband. The singer donated her $4m salary for her role in 'Cadillac Records' to the Phoenix House, a rehab centre for drug addicts. More recently, however, she paired up with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and donated $6m to the coronavirus relief effort, which supported frontline workers and those most affected by the pandemic. Her foundation, BeyGood, has helped many in need over the years.

An inspiration to many, this NBA star helped his team give away more than $3m to causes related to the military, education and those suffering form hunger. He donated $2m to the Hurricane Florence relief efforts and a whopping $10m to open two new medical clinics in his hometown. He has been Make-A-Wish’s Chief Wish Ambassador since 2008 and in 2019 celebrated 30 years of supporting the charity.

One of the best actors of our time is also one of the most generous. He has supported many environmental organisations with a large focus on environmental protection and conservation. He joined those donating to the Australians, giving $3m for wildlife relief efforts and supported disaster relief around the world. In 2016 alone, he donated $15m.

The Facebook founder and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have pledged to give away 99% of their wealth to charity over the course of their lifetimes. That could amount to rather a lot as, currently their combined wealth sits at around $114 billion. They focus on organisations that provide equal opportunities and unlocking human potential, like their own foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to which he donated $1.8billion in stock in 2017.

The UK’s biggest philanthropist. Elton John joined many celebrities in 2019 to donate $1m towards the Australian bushfire relief, but that is the tip of the iceberg of charitable giving for this world-famous singer. In both 2015 and 2016 he is recorded to have donated $38m each year to various charities, although his longest project has always been in supporting AIDS causes, which he started in the 80s.

Although the names may not be familiar to all, this couple have become one of the world’s leading philanthropist partnerships. They made a record donation with the Ressler-Gertz Foundation of $10,595,002 which shot them to the top of the list of the 30 Most Generous Celebrities (compiled by The Giving Back Fund). The actress and investment firm co-founder have over $136 billion with of assets.

With a net worth of $3.5 billion, it is no surprise that Oprah is one of the world’s biggest contributors to charities. Not only has she given millions via her talk show; donated $10m to those who needed it most during the coronavirus pandemic crisis; and aided those who suffered from Hurricane Katrina with a whopping $10m donation; but she supports education and health care for women and children around the world. She gave her own charity, The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, an incredible $58.3m in 2007, which was spread out over a number of organisations.