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You know who loves supporting public schools? Celebrities! The stars on the red carpet know they wouldn’t be where they are without the educators who ignited their passions and supported them on their journeys. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’ve been thinking about how our community has shown up for students in the most remarkable of ways. Some of the memorable moments were made possible by our A-lister friends. Here’s just some of the many worth shouting out!
W. Kamau Bell
W. Kamau Bell — comedian, advocate, director, television host, AND DonorsChoose Board member — wowed us all this year on Celebrity Jeopardy!. With his winnings, Kamau’s first move was to fund all the DonorsChoose projects in his hometown of Oakland and his father’s hometown of Mobile, AL — but his support for education doesn’t end there either. He’s made an impact over the years as both a major donor and board member, even talking up the DonorsChoose Community on Time 100.
Stephen Colbert
We can’t count how many ways Mr. Colbert advocates for DonorsChoose — both as a part of our board and as a host of The Late Show encouraging viewers to donate! One unforgettable moment? Our "Best School Day" initiative in 2016, when he brought several other icons on stage to announce flash funds to schools — including Anna Kendrick, Dwight Howard, Russell Simmons and more.
Samuel L. Jackson
Legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson was also one of the A-listers who supported teachers and students during the same #BestSchoolsDay effort. Jackson gave to local schools in his hometown of Chattanooga through DonorsChoose for the occasion — and boosted the whole campaign with a special video too.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams needs no introduction. She’s the GOAT for so many reasons, but our favorite is that she has personally funded numerous classroom projects on DonorsChoose, and was gracious enough to share her personal story of how education opened doors. And yep, she’s also one of the amazing celebs who helped out for our #BestSchoolDay initiative, too!
Lupita Nyong’o
The Oscar-winning actress used her book, Sulwe, to launch a DonorsChoose campaign, aiming to provide mirrors and windows for children through diverse literature — AND partnered with us for her ISeeMe initiative, which supported classroom projects that reflect culturally responsive resources and books so children see themselves represented in their own education.
John Green and Hank Green
We can’t get enough of the Green Brothers and all they do for education! Author John Green and his TikToking scientist brother Hank, once supported classroom projects on DonorsChoose by melting a CD in a microwave (do not try at home!). It’s a throwback moment we love to remember.
Yvette Nicole Brown
Yvette is a DonorsChoose board member who has done a LOT of showing up for teachers and students over the years. Just this year for our 25th Anniversary, she shared her own experience using the DonorsChoose platform and lent her voice to a lovely PSA about how our site works.
Amanda Seales
Not just wildly funny, but also wildly generous. Amanda Seals has given so much time and energy to our cause as a supporter, board member — and game show winner just like Kamau. She’s secured $30,000 for classrooms through her participation on Wheel of Fortune not long ago!
Basically the Entire Cast of Abbot Elementary…
We could never forget Abbot Elementary! The cast of this hit show centering teachers — written and produced by Quinta Brunson — has shown their dedication to teachers off-screen in countless ways! They’ve partnered with us for a special $1 million matching gift fund and even competed on Celebrity Family Feud for DonorsChoose. Survey says... they're truly committed to education.
Lady Gaga
The pop icon, through her Born This Way Foundation, has partnered with DonorsChoose to fund classrooms in communities affected by mass shootings — and has even gone so far as to go undercover as a substitute teacher to give $1 million (in partnership with Staples) to bring school supplies to classrooms via DonorsChoose.
Angie Thomas
Angie Thomas’s novel The Hate U Give has long been one of the most requested books from teachers posting projects on our site, with writing that shows young people how to trust their own voice and speak truth to power. She’s also directly supported our mission! During Black History Month, she even took the time to share a special message to Black educators on our socials. Thank you, Angie!
Oprah Winfrey
That’s right, Lady O herself is a fan of teachers and our work to support them! Years ago, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" featured DonorsChoose founder Charles Best — which actually led to enough new visitors on our website that it (temporarily) crashed from popularity! The same year DonorsChoose itself was featured on Oprah’s iconic Favorite Things List, too. 🤩
Miley Cyrus
Beyond her music, Miley Cyrus is dedicated to supporting critical issues facing young people today through her Happy Hippie Foundation. In 2016, she turned that support (and her social media power) to uplift education — specifically pledging her support to help teachers on DonorsChoose and challenging others to do the same!
Solange Knowles
Not only does she have soul and style, she has a heart for supporting education too! Solange Knowles once partnered with Kiehl's for a limited-edition skincare line she designed — and she made sure a portion of proceeds would go to DonorsChoose, among other charities!
Gwyneth Paltrow
Entrepreneur and actress Gwyneth Paltrow has been a friend of DonorsChoose for many years, even throwing annual closet sales that have proceeds go to projects on our site. One of our favorite Gwyneth moments? When she and Stephen Colbert “re-branded” school supplies with Goop-like names to help raise money for schools on The Late Show. (Dream Twigs anyone? ✏️).
Whoopi Goldberg
Empowering teachers and students is no (Sister) Act for Whoopi Goldberg! The famous actress and talk show host has shown up for DonorChoose teachers on more than one occasion — from supporting the #ISeeMe DonorsChoose campaign to once surprising a teacher with us on The View during a Teacher Appreciation Week!
Adam Lambert
Singer, actor, and recent Cabaret star, Adam Lambert has done a lot for students and teachers over the years — especially when it comes to helping their arts education projects get funded! He’s even recently helped raise over $220K for projects as part of a DonorsChoose Challenge he boosted across his fanship.
Reese Witherspoon
Of course THE Harvard Alum Elle Woods would support education! Reese Witherspoon’s history of supporting teachers is one we love to gush over. During the pandemic, she funded 142 DonorsChoose projects in her hometown of Nashville — and in 2022 she helped get books in the hands of kids through DonorsChoose in partnership with Reese’s Book Club! ☀️
The Fab 5
The show with the Fab Five has also directly empowered educators through incredible makeovers and heartfelt funding campaigns with DonorsChoose. Using their massive platform to directly highlight the critical needs of classrooms and encouraging their own wave of followers to donate, too!
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran puts his money where his pitch-perfect singing is: To classroom projects that need his endorsement! He has even donated $25,000 funding 59 arts and music projects on DonorsChoose fully. That level of generosity is music to our ears. 🎵
Norah Jones
Nothing like a vocal powerhouse like Norah Jones also using her powerful online platform to uplift educators! Norah has graciously showcased the importance of education to her big social media following post — including a nostalgic throwback that showed love to the DonorsChoose community too!
Sophia Bush
Well-known for her role on the teen series One Tree Hill, Sophia Bush should also be known for her constant philanthropy work for teachers and students! She’s been a vocal supporter of a number of great educational organizations — and that includes personally sharing out a teacher’s DonorsChoose project for girls in STEM on her social media!
LeVar Burton
What better person to wrap this powerful list up than the Reading Rainbow King himself? LeVar Burton’s years of uplifting education (specifically with books and reading) speaks for itself. We just count ourselves lucky enough to be part of his support. He’s even personally re-shared a teachers’ DonorsChoose ask on his social media — sending heartwarming words of encouragement!
Thanks again to all our famed friends out there for continuing to help the stars of the classroom shine bright, too! 💫
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