What I learned about philanthropy from the King of PopI’m not going to lie to you. I grew up during the 80’s and 90’s. At the time when Michael Jackson reined as King of Pop, I was much more likely to be dancing around in my basement to the B52’s “Rock Lobster” than to “Billy Jean.”
However, news about Jackson’s death, a story first broken yesterday at TMZ.com, got me wondering was Jackson a philanthropist? The answer is, “Yes.”
According to Wikipedia, Jackson donated over $300 million to charity over the course of his lifetime. Among his most notable contributions to philanthropy were his musical ones. He wrote and performed two hit singles that had a huge impact philanthropically.
Sales of “We are the World,” co-written with Lionel Richie in 1985, raised over $100 million for USA for Africa. Similarly, the proceeds of the “Heal the World” single, and the subsequent tour, were all donated to charity.
Say what you might about Michael Jackson. There’s a lot there to talk about–the outfits, the scandals, the weird pet chimp. Despite of all the dross, you can’t deny he gave a lot.
In fact, I would even go so far as to say that there’s something that we can take away from the charitable work that Jackson did while he was alive. Namely, a lesson about the power of using your own personal talents to become a philanthropist.
Now I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t have enough dough to summer at Neverland Ranch. But I can write code. That’s why my philanthropic work is the time I spend volunteering for an organization called Rainbow Rumpus as webmaster.
If you are in similar straights, or if you just have the inclination, please volunteer. Here at MCF we are firm proponents of the notion that philanthropy is not just for wealthy people. Anyone who cares can do it.
Whether you’re donating your time, your money, or the proceeds from your latest chart topper, whatever you do makes a difference.
Related Resources: The Whitehouse has launched a neat new website that can help match you with an organization that needs your help. Those interested in learning more about Jackson’s charitable work should read this article at DoSomething.org. Which, by the way, has some great resources for getting youth engaged in volunteerism and philanthropy. If you do have some money to donate and are looking for ways to do so, check out our Minnesota Toolkit for Giving.
- Cary Lenore Walski, MCF Web Communications Associate
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