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Michael Jackson’s $300 Million Legacy
By Lauren Bayne Anderson
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
BlenW2
4 months ago
I love MJ. May u rest in peace forever.
HeinzK2
4 months ago
Michael Jackson is the most giving entertainer .His legacy will be cherished and will live forever,People are too quick to judge him,perpetuated by media,just to have something to write and talk about,He is a wonderful person and father.May you rest in peace We love you Michael.
DanielleC305
4 months ago
He was a wonderful man.
DalynA
4 months ago
THIS IS COOL!!!!
DembaK
4 months ago
Michael will be the one king of pop
HopeJ13
4 months ago
I think Michael spent his entire life giving to others. It began with his music, and developed into all these wonderful charities and fund-raisers. He probably did more than any celebrity has done in the history of the United States, but so many chose to beat him down for his personal decisions. I hope he rests in peace now. No one can judge him but GOD.
TamaraG201
4 months ago
Even though I did not know Michael personally, he truly was a magnificent person. People judge too quickly. I NEVER believed the accusations against him. I think he was just trying to relive the childhood he was denied, and because of that people tried to bring him down. It is sad how we live in a society where people strive to achieve great success, only to have someone try to dig up dirt to bring them down. I hope Michael is in a better place now where no one can hurt him. Rest in Peace forever.
KissuL
4 months ago
Michael, the man of people, was really the king of pop
KieraR7
4 months ago
People judged and said vicious things that were not true about someone who was so giving and open while at the same time being painfully shy. He had an awesome talent in which he used to reach the world abroad sharing his love for dance and music with everyone he will sorely be missed because there never was nor will be another person like him.
KrystleH3
4 months ago
Michael was definitely a gving person and all he wanted to do was be a normal human being and help whoever he can, and he did just that. Thank you Michael for all that you've done. God Bless you and the Lord is definitely proud of you for being a giving person here on earth (entertainment for all the world and gving to charities to help many people) and I know in Heaven you will do the exact same thing you did here on earth. You'll be missed but never forgotten. Love you always and God Bless!
AyannaJ6
4 months ago
I love Michael Jackson for who he is: a caring father, THE great contributor, a loving brother, and family man, and last and definitely not least, the WORLD'S GREATEST ENTERTAINER. It's amazing how time has flown by. I never really expected him to die like that, and it is really sad and tragic. But I am very glad at the fact that he is now up in heaven performing for GOD himself and making him happy. I will always love him and his music. I will never forget him and how I adore listening to him since I was a little child. PEACE AND MUCH LOVE TO YOU MICHAEL.
JenniferE545
4 months ago
Many people have not spent enough time recognizing the many contributions Michael has made over many years to help millions of people around the world. It is time (FINALLY) that people start appreciating and recognizing Michael for the generous and caring person he WAS. I attended his memorial Tuesday and it was indeed one of the best days of my life! Rest In Peace Michael and thank you so much for making such a huge impact in the lives of so many people, including myself.
KimC340
4 months ago
Our "dear, dear Michael J.... "trying to help everything and everyone of importance", as much as he could. So "sensitively endearing," that was and is Michael!!! (smile, smile...) So, "I see" where a lot of his money went, to "making this world a better place, for the underprivledged and children to be able to "have hope" to a "better and brighter" future for themselves in the life. There "should indeed" be a "Resolution 600" proposed by Shelia Lee, in Honor of Michael Jackson, he "GAVE US ALL SO SO MUCH!!! And it "reached beyond" just and only music. GOD BLESS YOUR SOUL IN HEAVEN MICHAEL!!! MAY YOU BE "FOREVER RESTFUL AND HAPPY... "(smile, smile...)
SharaJ3
4 months ago
Michael was one of the most sensitive and timely people this world has ever known, and it is sad that only in death, he gets the recognition he deserved in life. If people would've just taken the time out to actually see him for who he was, instead of what was said about him, maybe then his life wouldn't have been so hurtful. Rest in Peace, MJJ, and thank you for all that you did for the world and the children of this world. We can all only hope tohave a heart as big as yours.
HeatherM43
4 months ago
Was a wonderful performer and person, dismay to what some like to believe. Who are others to judge anyway? His music will live on!!