Athletes Who Have Donated the Most to Charity This Year
The numerous upheavals of 2020 have provided plenty of opportunities for charitable giving. Sadly, there are far too many needs, from the COVID-19 pandemic to social justice to disaster relief and more.
Professional athletes are among the high-profile names who have stepped up to help those less fortunate.
This is by no means an exhaustive list because so many athletes from all walks of life have contributed to causes, but everyone on this list has donated at least $1 million this year. Take a closer look at some of 2020’s top donors.
Last updated: Nov. 20, 2020
Jeremy Lin: COVID-19 Relief
Donation: $1 million
Lin, the former NBA star who most recently played in China, donated more than $1 million to various COVID-19 causes.
Most of Lin’s donations went to purchasing medical supplies in Wuhan, China, the original epicenter of the virus outbreak.
Lin, who played with the Beijing Ducks, is hoping to return to the NBA.
Roger Federer: COVID-19 Relief
Donation: 1 million Swiss francs
The tennis star, who hasn’t played much this season because of knee surgeries, gave 1 million Swiss francs (roughly $1.09 million) to COVID-19 relief efforts.
Federer, who is from Switzerland, donated to aid in his home country.
Cristiano Ronaldo: COVID-19 Relief
Donation: 1 million euros
Ronaldo, who has recovered after contracting the coronavirus in October, donated 1 million euros (roughly $1.1 million) to COVID-19 relief efforts.
The Juventus star, who is from Portugal, donated to support intensive care units in Lisbon and Porto.
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Conor McGregor: COVID-19 Relief
Donation: 1 million euros
The MMA star from Ireland donated 1 million euros (roughly $1.1 million) to healthcare and frontline workers in Ireland who are fighting COVID-19.
Lionel Messi: COVID-19 Relief
Donation: 1 million euros
Messi, the Barcelona superstar, gave 1 million euros (roughly $1.1 million) to battle COVID-19.
The soccer legend split his donation evenly between a hospital in Barcelona and a medical center in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.
Novak Djokovic: COVID-19 Relief
Donation: 1 million euros
Djokovic donated 1 million euros (roughly $1.1 million) to support COVID-19 relief at hospitals in his home country of Serbia.
The tennis star has since made a second large donation in Italy, although that amount has not been released.
Drew Brees: COVID-19 Relief
Donation: $5 million
The New Orleans Saints star quarterback gave a whopping $5 million for COVID-19 relief.
The 41-year-old, who has played for the Saints for 14 years, donated to support Louisiana families struggling to buy food because of the virus.
Jrue Holiday: Social Justice
Donation: $5.3 million
The Pelicans guard made a huge statement for social justice matters, donating $5.3 million to create the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Justice Impact Fund.
The fund supports Black-owned businesses in Los Angeles, Indianapolis and New Orleans, as well as historically Black colleges and universities.
Michael Jordan: Social Justice
Donation: $100 million
Jordan, the NBA legend and current Charlotte Hornets owner, wasn’t known for his philanthropy during his playing days with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards.
But in the wake of George Floyd’s killing and subsequent protests, Jordan announced a donation of $100 million to advance the cause of social justice, supporting racial-equity organizations.
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