Charities

Michael Jackson was a true humanitarian, an example to us all. He has devoted much time and money to a wide range of charities. He loves children and takes time out when touring secretly visiting sick children. He also has special rooms at his home Neverland for sick and terminally ill children to stay over. In 2000, Jackson was listed in the book of Guinness World Records for his support of 39 charities, more than any other entertainer or personality. It states that Michael Jackson has supported 39 charity organizations either with monetary donations through sponsorships of their projects or by participating in their silent auction.

On May 14, 1984, Jackson was invited to the White House to receive an award presented by American President Ronald Reagan. The award was given for Jackson’s support of charities that helped people overcome alcohol and drug abuse. Jackson won eight awards during the 1984 Grammys. Unlike later albums, Thriller did not have an official tour to promote it, but the 1984 Victory Tour, headlined by The Jacksons, showcased much of Jackson’s new solo material to more than two million Americans. He donated his $5 million share from the Victory Tour to charity.

Jackson co-wrote the charity single “We Are the World” in 1985 with Lionel Richie, which was released worldwide to aid the poor in Africa and the US. He was one of 39 music celebrities who performed on the record. The single became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 20 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to famine relief.

From 1985 to 1990, Jackson donated $500,000 to the United Negro College Fund, and all of the profits from his single “Man in the Mirror” went to charity.

Jackson founded the “Heal the World Foundation” in 1992. The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson’s ranch to enjoy theme park rides that Jackson had built on the property. The foundation also sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war and disease. The Dangerous World Tour began on June 27, 1992, and finished on November 11, 1993. Jackson performed to 3.5 million people in 67 concerts. All profits from the concerts went to the “Heal the World Foundation”, raising millions of dollars in relief. He sold the broadcast rights to his Dangerous world tour to HBO for $20 million, a record-breaking deal that still stands. Following the illness and death of Ryan White, Jackson helped draw public attention to HIV/AIDS, something that was still controversial at the time. He publicly pleaded with the Clinton Administration at Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Gala to give more money to HIV/AIDS charities and research.

Throughout June 1999, Jackson was involved in a number of charitable events. He joined Luciano Pavarotti for a benefit concert in Modena, Italy. The show was in support of the non-profit organization War Child, and raised a million dollars for the refugees of Kosovo, as well as additional funds for the children of Guatemala. Later that month, Jackson organized a set of “Michael Jackson & Friends” benefit concerts in Germany and Korea. Other artists involved included Slash, The Scorpions, Boyz II Men, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, A. R. Rahman,  Shobana Chandrakumar, Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti. The proceeds went to the “Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund”, the Red Cross and UNESCO.
Here is  an alphabetical list of known charities that Michael Jackson has individually supported throughout his career. This list features by no means an exhaustive list of the numerous charitable works done by Mr. Michael Jackson, The Heal the World Foundation and other charities in which Michael has given his support are not included in this list.

• AIDS Project L.A.
• American Cancer Society
• Angel Food
• Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles
• BMI Foundation, Inc.
• Brotherhood Crusade
• Brothman Burn Center
• Camp Ronald McDonald
• Childhelp U.S.A.
• Children’s Institute International
• Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund
• Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation
• Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
• Dakar Foundation
• Dreamstreet Kids
• Dreams Come True Charity
• Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation
• Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
• Love Match
• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• Minority Aids Project
• Motown Museum
• NAACP
• National Rainbow Coalition
• Rotary Club of Australia
• Society of Singers
• Starlight Foundation
• The Carter Center’s Atlanta Project
• The Sickle Cell Research Foundation
• Transafrica
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
• United Negro College Fund Ladder’s of Hope
• Volunteers of America
• Watts Summer Festival
• Wish Granting
• YMCA - 28th Street/Crenshaw

If you know of a charitable act or contribution made by Michael please contact us at Contact page so we can look into adding it to our list. Please include ‘Charitable Work’ in the subject line of your e-mail and be sure to let us know your source.