America’s Leading Black Philanthropists


charity with a mission compatible with your values. Family members can sit on the governing board and participate in the grant-making decisions. There is no excise tax or payout requirement as with a private foundation.

Before you give to a nonprofit organization, make sure it is registered with the proper state or local government office.
To learn more, check out these resources:

  • Associated Black Charities; www.abc-md.org
  • Council of Better Business Bureaus; 703-276-0100
  • Council on Foundations; 888-239-5221
  • National Committee on Planned Giving; www.ncpg.org
  • National Center for Family Philanthropy; 202-293-3424
  • The Giving Forum; 202-467-0383; www.givingforum.org
  • The Foundation Center; www.fdncenter.org
  • The National Black United Fund; www.nbuf.org

Leading Foundations & Charities

NAME(s) Occupation ORGANIZATION(S) CAUSES 2003 GIFTS
Oprah Winfrey TV Talk show host The Oprah Winfrey Foundation; Oprah’s Angel Network Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation Education, the arts, public health, women $10,537,131
Eileen Harris Norton Executive Peter Norton Family Foundation Inc. The arts, education, community health 4,595,260
Tom Joyner Radio talk show host Tom Joyner Foundation Inc. HBCUs 3,064,119
David & Valerie Robinson Former NBA player/philanthropist The David Robinson Foundation Education, feeding the hungry 1,727,629
Tiger Woods Professional golfer The Tiger Woods Foundation Education, sports 1,519,099
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs Hip-hop artist, actor Daddy’s House Social Programs Inc. Youth, education 1,333,333
Rachel Robinson Philanthropist The Jackie Robinson Foundation Education IGN=”TOP”>1,220,104
Eddie & Sylvia Brown Money manager/ philanthropists The Eddie C. & C. Sylvia Brown Family Foundation Education 1,142,493
Alonzo Mourning NBA player Alonzo Mourning Charities Inc.; Zo’s Fund for Life Underprivileged children; Kidney disorder research 1,015,864
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Former NBA player/ philanthropist The Magic Johnson Foundation Health, urban education 430,206
Ben & Candy Carson Pediatric neurosurgeon/ philanthropist Carson Scholars Fund Youth, education 518,351
Russell Simmons Recording executive/ philanthropist Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation Art, education, youth 388,798
Charles Barkley Former NBA player The Charles Barkley Foundation Education 319,200
Hank & Billye Aaron Former MLB player/ philanthropist Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation Education, youth, 220,362
William & Camille Cosby Actor/philanthropist William Henry Cosby Jr. and Camille Olivia Cosby Foundation; Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation Education, dyslexia awareness 215,500
Marshall Faulk NFL player Marshall Faulk Foundation Inner-city youth/children 133, 027
Chris “Ludacris” Bridges Hip-hop artist, actor The Ludacris Foundation Abused/homeless children 121,830
Montel Williams TV Talk show host The Montel Williams MS Foundation Multiple Sclerosis research 120,000
Warrick Dunn NFL player Warrick Dunn Foundation Inc. Single-mother families 108,091
Alphonse Fletcher Money manager The Fletcher Foundation Art, youth 101,450

SOURCE: B.E. RESEARCH


Leading Individual Donors

NAME(S) TITLE RECIPIENT(s) AMOUNT YEAR (s)
Oprah Winfrey TV Talk show host, The Oprah Winfrey Show The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, The Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation $132,580,000 2002 — 2004
Sheila C. Johnson Partner, Lincoln Holdings Parsons School of Design, Jamestown- Yorktown Foundation 7, 350,000 2003 — 2004
John H. Johnson Publisher,


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