Awards and Honors

Celebrities frequently give money and time in support of various causes and organizations, but their motivations are frequently called into question. As with anything, some people are motivated by selfish reasons for giving to or working for a charity, while others are motivated purely by a desire to do good things.

There are plenty of celebrities who give very little, judging from their yearly income, to help others. These people are likely motivated by such factors as public perception and monetary gain through tax write-offs. Society looks favorably upon people who give money and time to help others, and celebrities are in the business of gaining favor from the public. As for taxes, those celebrities in the highest tax bracket need all the help they can get when it comes to the IRS, and any donations made to tax deductible charities can help tremendously.

However, many celebrities, such as Angelina Jolie and Bono of the band U2, tirelessly give of themselves, both personally and monetarily, in an effort to simply improve the world. While many of their acts are broadcast in the media, a great many more go unnoticed for weeks or months, if they are ever noticed at all. Not all people seek personal gain from helping others, and that is even true of celebrities.