Oprah Winfrey and Her Charities that Changed the World.
When it comes to celebrities and generous giving, few give more than the charities of Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey literally donates millions and millions of dollars, a great deal of which is out of pocket to fund her interests and charities. She does a large amount of her charitable giving through three foundations: The Angel Network--which is profoundly publicized on her show, her own personal Foundation--The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, and The Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation which completely supports her Leadership Academy in South Africa. The Angel Network: Oprah Winfrey has used her talk show to publicize The Angel Network, dedicating at least a few shows a year to its work. The Angel Network is unique in countless ways. First, its a charity focused on getting people involved. Not only that, but 100% of any donation you give, goes directly towards funding a project. Oprah Winfrey pays all of the overhead and operating costs herself. Like many charities, Oprahs Angel Network, began small. In 1997, the goal was to get audience members more involved in giving and volunteering. She encouraged viewers to collect spare change to provide scholarships for Boys and Girls Club of America, and she also got some 200 volunteers to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Oprah Winfrey Foundation: The Oprah Winfrey Foundation is run entirely by Oprah Winfrey and provides grants for not-for-profit organizations. The grants awarded through these foundations are given solely through Oprah Winfrey and they fund her interests of education, learning and developing leadership. You do not apply for a grant (Oprah chooses you), and you do not donate to this organization--its funded entirely through an endowment made by Oprah Winfrey. Through this private foundation, Oprah has given millions of dollars in grants to non-profit organizations. The foundation, has more than a whopping $190 million in assets and funds. The Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation: This foundation was set up to exclusively give money towards operating the Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Oprah Winfrey began this school in January of 2007. People can donate to this foundation through their website. The foundation, which is sometimes called the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation, is set up to give money into special projects or to make building repairs and improvements. Its through these three foundations that Oprah is able to extend her charitable arm far and wide throughout the world. The Charities of Oprah Winfrey supported a variety of organizations mostly focused on African Americans and those who are impoverished. Here a few more of her "pet projects" that are within the wings of her three foundations. O Ambassadors: is a school based program that seeks to encourage kids to give and act on behalf of their peers in underdeveloped countries. The US Dream Academy: is a national after school program that seeks to work with children who have one parent (usually a father) incarcerated. The goal, is to break the cycle of imprisonment. In 2006, Oprah donated one million and according to financial reports, she is one of their biggest supporters. Not only does Winfrey support human rights and charities, in 2008 she was named Person of the Year by animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). As she uses her talk show and media stance as a platform to discuss issues that she feels are significant, non-bias to gender, race, and/or animal kingdom, Oprah has defied the international perception of a womans role in society. She is responsible for breaking the color barriers that society puts on African Americans and females. Nevertheless, Winfrey has remained humble and dedicated to making an impact on the world. She uses her prominent stance in society to benefit those around her. -- Please have a look at my novels Wests Time Machine, and Georges Pond. Wests Time Machine Georges Pond