Michael Jackson

On January 7th, 1984, While filming a Pepsi commercial, Michael Jackson suffered severe burns to his scalp when pyrotechnics tragically went off too early. 

Michael Jackson subsequently sued PepsiCo, and settled for 1.5 million dollars. 

Jackson then gave the money to Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California where he was treated for his burns. The center was able to use the money to invest in the best technology available to treat burn victims and later changed the name of the burn ward to “Michael Jackson Burn Center” to honor him in his generous donation.

On May 14th, 1984, Michael Jackson received the Presidential Public Safety Commendation Award from Ronald Reagan at the White House for his stance against drunk driving and substance abuse which was campaigned with his song and music video “Beat It“.

Here are some of the lyrics:

You better run, you better do what you can

Don’t wanna see no blood, don’t be a macho man 

You wanna be tough, better do what you can

So beat it, but you wanna be bad…

They’re out to get you, better leave while you can

Don’t wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man

You wanna stay alive, better do what you can

So beat it, just beat it

You have to show them that you’re really not scared

You’re playin’ with your life, this ain’t no truth or dare

They’ll kick you, then they beat you, then they’ll tell you it’s fair 

So beat it, but you wanna be bad

These lyrics basically show that it is not worth it to show how strong or brave you are, because at the end of the day it doesn’t matter who is wrong or right, you’re taking a gamble with your life by being in a gang or taking part in drunk driving or substance abuse. It is better to just stay alive, and “just beat it.” 

The 1984 Michael Jackson’s Victory Tour (which was the last tour of the Jacksons and also the introduction to Michael Jackson’s solo career) 5 million dollar share of the profits was donated to charity.

Michael Jackson partnered with Lionel Richie to write the single, “We Are the World“, which was recorded and sang by over 40 music artists. The song sold over 20 million copies making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. These proceeds were given to charities and helped the needy in Africa and aided famine relief. This also created the USA for Africa Organization/Movement.

Michael Jackson broke the Guinness World Record for sold out shows and amount of attendance during his Bad World Tour, and donated tickets to the shows to underprivileged children, while donating portions of his 125 million profits to hospitals, orphanages, and other charities.

Michael Jackson donated 100% of his profits from the single “Man In the Mirror” to charity.

 (I would add important lyrics, but literally every word has significant meaning and importance.)

From 1985 to 1990, Michael Jackson donated $500,000 to the United Negro College Fund.

In 1992, Michael Jackson founded the Heal The World campaign, based off of his single, “Heal The World“, which gave millions of dollars to help children around the world who were threatened by war and illnesses. 

Here are some of the lyrics:

Heal the world Make it a better place

For you and for me And the entire human race 

There are people dying 

If you care enough for the living

Make it a better place For you and for me

He also launched the “Operation Black Pride” Initiative by releasing the single “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)”

He presented 3,000 certificates for free Christmas dinners in impoverished neighborhoods in New York City.

Brown became an advocate for education by penning the 1966 song, “Don’t Be a Dropout.” On the track, Brown declares: “Without an education, you might as well be dead.

Elvis Presley

Elvis stood up in the fight against polio.

He performed in a benefit show for USS Arizona Memorial.

Donated numerous times to the St. Jude’s Hospital for children in Memphis.

In 1964 Elvis purchased Franklin Roosevelt’s yacht, the Potomac, for $55,000 and presented it to Danny Thomas to be auctioned off, with benefits going to St. Jude’s Hospital.

Elvis made a non-performance appearance in Memphis supporting a new driver-education program.

He was the first contributor to “Coffee Day for Crippled Children,” a Memphis charity.

Elvis joined fellow soldiers in donating blood to the German Red Cross.

He also supported the United States by enlisting in the Army.

Made a $50,000 donation to the “Motion Picture Relief Fund”.

In 1970 Elvis contributed $7,000 to the Los Angeles Police community relations program. 

In May 1971, Elvis gave flowers for Mother’s Day to all female employees at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.

Freddie Mercury 

Supported RED, which was an organization that helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Supported The Nelson Mandela Center of Memory at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which is a human rights-oriented not-for-profit organization.

Supported The Mercury Phoenix Trust, which fought the battle against AIDS.

Supported The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which is an international financing institution that invests the world’s money to save lives.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé cofounded Chime for Change with actress Salma Hayek. Chime for Change describes itself as “a global campaign to raise funds and awareness for girls and women around the world.” She donated $500,000 to Chime for Change, with the money going to health and education programs for women and girls in developing countries, mentoring, counseling, and job training for girls in New York, and support for victims of sex trafficking in Los Angeles.

Beyoncé created the Formation Scholars awards to support young women pursing studies in creative arts, music, literature or black studies at Berklee College of Music, Spelman College, Howard University, and Parsons School of Design.

She also established the Homecoming Scholar Awards Program to support young women and men attending several HBCUs.

In 2005, Beyoncé co-founded the Survivor Foundation, an organization she established with her mother Tina, Solange Knowles, and Kelly Rowland to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Supported Houston Food Bank.

Madonna

Madonna established Ray of Light Foundation in the late 1990s. The charity seeks to support organizations around the world working to promote peace, equal rights, and education for all.

Madonna co-founded, Raising Malawi, a nonprofit organization in 2006 whose mission is to bring an end to the extreme poverty and hardship endured by Malawi’s orphans and vulnerable children.

She has helped fund the Detroit Achievement Academy, a free public charter school.

Britney Spears

Donated to the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, a group to which she gave $1 for every ticket she sold at “Britney: Piece of Me” at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

Spears donated her MTV Video Music Awards costume to the relief in addition to auctioning off a VMAs meet-and-greet, and teaming up with maker Ellen DeGeneres, each donating $125,000 to help Louisiana.

Following the 9/11 attacks, Spears reportedly donated $1 for every ticket sold during her “Dream Within A Dream Tour” to children affected by terrorism.

Also reportedly supported these Organizations/ Charities: