There are definitely some major perks to being a celebrity. You have lots of money, everyone knows your name, you get into the hottest parties and people give you free stuff all the time. But for some members of the rich and famous set, being a star has even greater advantages than lavish vacations and shopping sprees. Many celebs use their clout to give back to those less fortunate. Take a look at how some high-profile folks give their money, time and talent to help people in need all over the world.

Hill Harper - Manifest Your Destiny Foundation


When it comes to giving back and encouraging others, Hill Harper is definitely about more than just lip service. When he’s not saving lives as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on CSI:NY, Harper is inspiring African-American boys to live life to the fullest through his MANifest Your Destiny Foundation. The actor uses his celebrity status to connect positive male role models with underserved youth for mentorship. The foundation also awards scholarships, apprenticeships and business grants to deserving young men. Harper believes these relationships will provide young men with the tools and inspiration they need to go after and achieve their dreams. To get involved go to www.manifestyourdestiny.org.

Rihanna - The Believe Foundation and UNICEF

Barbados beauty, Rihanna, is loved by fans all over the world and she returns that love by taking her philanthropic efforts global through her charity, The BELIEVE Foundation. The non-profit organization provides educational, financial, social and medical support to children internationally in an effort to nurture the world’s future leaders. The sweet-sounding singer also lends her angel face as the spokesmodel for UNICEF’s “Tattoo Heart” campaign which starts in December. To get involved go to www.believerihanna.com and www.unicef.org.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson - I Stand with Magic

Perhaps no other celebrity has done so much to bring awareness to the fight against HIV/Aids in the Black community than basketball icon Magic Johnson. After being diagnosed with the disease in 1991, he started the Magic Johnson Foundation to bring greater awareness to HIV/Aids. More than 15 years later, Magic has opened four HIV/Aids clinics and has expanded the vision of the foundation to include programs that also address the educational, health and social needs of urban communities. To get involved go to www.magicjohnson.com.

Tyra Banks - TZONE

Television star and former supermodel Tyra Banks isn’t just interested in hair, makeup and fashion. Ms. Banks gives a whole new meaning to the term “girl power.” Through her TZONE Foundation, Tyra promotes sisterhood and encourages girls and women to be all that they can be. The TZONE Foundation raises money to award unrestricted grants to community-based non-profit organizations that support and empower women from disadvantaged communities. To get involved go to: www.tzonefoundation.org.

Common - Common Ground Foundation, Inc.

When you combine socially conscious messages with a tight hip hop beat, you get the genius that is Common. The artist, actor and author isn’t just about entertaining. He is the founder of the Common Ground Foundation, an organization that uses education to develop youth in urban areas. The foundation also promotes HIV/Aids prevention programs that target youth and young adults in the United States and Africa. After Hurricane Katrina, the Common Ground Foundation helped victims rebuild their lives by adopting families with school-aged children. To get involved go to www.commongroundfoundation.org.

Ne-Yo - The Compound Foundation

Singer-songwriter Ne-Yo grew up with the love and guidance of his family, but his manager, Tango Hay, helped him see the realities of living in the child welfare system which motivated him to start The Compound Foundation. Founded in 2007, the organization increases awareness about the status of children in the child welfare system through events and mentorship programs. Ne-Yo’s foundation built two group homes in the Atlanta area and continuously teaches entrepreneurial and life skills to young people. To get involved to go www.compoundfoundation.org.

Mariah Carey - Camp Mariah

When Mariah Carey isn’t breaking records in her music career, she’s breaking boundaries for inner city kids through her career-focused program, Camp Mariah. Hundreds of young people ages 12 to 14 make a three-year commitment to participate in the program’s educational, recreational and camping sessions. The experience not only exposes teens to various careers, but it also promotes healthy and active living through recreational activities. Mariah may be a super diva, but she’s got a super heart as well. To get involved go to www.freshair.org/career-awareness-program.aspx.

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