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Michael Jackson’s $300 Million Legacy
By Lauren Bayne Anderson
June 26, 2009
Michael Jackson died Thursday after going into cardiac arrest, at the age of 50. While no one disputes he was the King of Pop, what you may not have known is that he was a big philanthropist — to the tune of $300 million — to various charities. And a chunk of that went to scholarships.
In fact, in the Millennium-Issue of the “Guinness Book Of Records” Jackson was recognized as the Pop Star who supports the most charity organizations.
In 1986 Jackson gave $1.5 million to set up the "Michael Jackson UNCF Endowed Scholarship Fund”, aimed at students majoring in performance art and communications, with money given each year to students attending a member United Negro College Fund college or university. The scholarship has helped hundreds of students attend college.
Jackson also contributed to the Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund and many other charities aimed at education and special needs children.
The following is a list of some of the charities he publicly helped, taken from AllMichaelJackson.com:
- AIDS Project L.A.
- American Cancer Society
- Angel Food
- Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles
- BMI Foundation, Inc.— Support music education for gifted youngsters.
- Brotherhood Crusade
- Brothman Burn Center
- Camp Ronald McDonald
- Childhelp U.S.A. – Aims at meeting the needs of abused an neglected children—including education.
- 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
- UNESCO—The proceeds of one of his tours went to the education of children in developing countries.
- Volunteers of America
- Watts Summer Festival
- Wish Granting
- YMCA – 28th Street/Crenshaw
Bhabjot
4 months ago
LOVE U
sheilalee93
11 months ago
He's awesome. He's helped many people..
Bearskies1
about 1 year ago
The media destroyed this wonderful man's reputation. he loved children, but not in a sexual way. He never had a childhood so he loved enriching the lives of other kids.
God Bless Michael, you are very missed
TMitchJr92
over 1 year ago
this is a scholarship i would love to have to help me futher my education
SeleniaJ
over 1 year ago
Michael Jackons was and still is a very generous man he helped millions of people and is missed
EbonyW50
over 1 year ago
Wow, what a nice and generous man.
fritzsirin
over 1 year ago
really nice
swashburn2008
over 1 year ago
Moonwalk! Yes! Thank you, MJ! <3
bigvick
over 1 year ago
yea i still dont like him
RunandFly
over 1 year ago
Nice! I never knew he gave this much to helping causes.
youthgirl14
over 1 year ago
I love u michael! this is wonderful! <3 How can i get into this program??? It would mean the world to me if not only i get a scholarship but that Michael helped me get it!!! WOW!
1elmarie
almost 2 years ago
I always considered him to be such a giver, but I did not know to what degree he was. I truly hope that those who have benefited from his kindness and generousity will remember and recognize that he was a very special person and we were blessed to have him.
Skoch100
almost 2 years ago
You no the funny thing is Michael Jackson died on my birthday
ale09
almost 2 years ago
i love michael jackson to the end of my life....also i still love his music so much!!! GO MICHAEL JACKSON!!!
Calia1
almost 2 years ago
His music has style and are very good. I started to listen to his music when i was a child. I would be happy if i once met him in a life time. I would be happy if he was still alive to help me out as well for college. i would thank him in many ways for his kindness.