Meryl Streep week continues with news that the Oscar winner has donated $10,000 a scholarship fund in Rhode Island.
According to the Associated Press, the 62-year-old's donation to the Rhode Island Upward Bound scholarship fund was made in honor of Viola Davis, who was a fellow nominee in the Best Actress category at the Oscars this year.
Davis, 46, first started the fund more than 20 years ago.
Streep is the latest artist to make philanthropy headlines this week, joining Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey.
On Wednesday, Gaga and the talk show host queen visited Harvard to launch the Born This Way Foundation, along with Deeap Chopra and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
The fund is aimed at empowering young people.
Here's a look at five other celebrity philanthropists that have made headlines as of recent.
Fresh from her Oscar win, Meryl Streep has written a check for $10,000 to the Rhode Island Upward Bound scholarship fund. The donation has another Oscar connection; the funds were given in honor of fellow Best Actress nominee Viola Davis.Streep’s philanthropic spirit didn’t stop there. The 62-year-old also donated $10,000 to the Segue Institute for Learning in Central Falls, Davis’ hometown.REUTERSThe hugely popular Italian-American singer has been confirmed as the first Twitter user to have 20 million followers. In addition, the “Born This Way” artist’s businesses and deals have raised more than $200m in the fight against HIV and AIDS.ReutersIt may be common for teenagers to get a car for their 18th birthday, typically a used model or a hand-me-down from a relative. But not for teen heartthrob sensation Justin Bieber, who received a $100,000 Fisker Karma when making an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show this morning.REUTERSWhitney Elementary has been profiled on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” all season long. And the donations keep rolling in. In February, DeGeneres announced that through Facebook and the game, WeTopia, kinds at Whitney will receive funds for a food bank program.DeGeneres -- perhaps one of the most selfless celebrities these days -- is also involved with more than 30 charities and foundations, including Make It Right, which is aiming to build 150 homes (all environmentally friendly) in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward.REUTERSIt’s not uncommon for musicians to donate portions of ticket sales to charity. Train is the latest to follow this trend, with their upcoming San Francisco 2012 Tour, which includes six intimate shows in their home town.A portion of the San Francisco tickets will benefit Family House, a local charity that provides temporary housing to families of seriously ill children.REUTERSScarlett Johansson and a slew of other celebrities are donating their little black dresses to Dress for Success. This year’s donors include Sienna Miller, Kelly Ripa, Mariska Hargitay and Denise Richards.REUTERS
