Oprah Winfrey is a renowned American media personality, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist.
Driven by a commitment to aid those in need, the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation (OWCF) stands as a beacon of support for global organizations. Fueled by the vision of Oprah Winfrey herself, along with the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, this initiative has consistently extended assistance to groups serving children, families, and communities, with a special emphasis on youth education.
Her foray into charity commenced in 1997 when she exhorted viewers to wield their lives as instruments of positive change, leading to the creation of the public charity Oprah’s Angel Network in 1998. This initiative managed to raise over $80 million, with every penny directed towards transformative projects worldwide. This journey climaxed in 2010 with the distribution of six $1 million grants to U.S. charter schools.
Her connection with South Africa runs deep, from an initiative in 2002 providing essentials to children to her pledge to build a school after meeting Nelson Mandela. With a contribution exceeding $200 million, her investments in education have transformed the lives of academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. This spirit also resonates through cultural endeavors, like becoming a founding donor of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, which stands as a testament to her historical commitment.
Further intertwining business and charity, Oprah’s partnership with Starbucks and Teavana propelled contributions to youth education, directing over $5 million towards organizations such as Girls Inc., National CARES Mentoring Movement, and more.
As 2020 dawned, the world grappled with the pandemic’s impact. Oprah stood at the forefront, pledging $13 million to COVID-19 relief efforts targeting food insecurity and the pandemic’s most vulnerable victims. er transformative contributions have earned her recognition, including the Medal of Freedom in 2013 and the Cecil B de Mille award in 2018, cementing her status as a global media icon, actress, and devoted philanthropist.
Oprah has been actively improving our society and helping the world become a better place for decades now. Although these are just some of her lifelong charitable activities, the world is familiar with the fact that her name will always remain a synonym for humanity.
source: oprahfoundation.org