Who has donated the most money to make a wish?

Asked by: Gordon Wilderman  |  Last update: April 11, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (11 votes)

While several notable figures have given large sums, Michael Jordan holds the record for the largest single individual donation to Make-A-Wish America with $10 million in 2023, while John Cena holds the Guinness World Record for granting the most wishes, with over 650 fulfilled for children.

Who is the largest donor to Make-A-Wish?

Michael Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, celebrated his 60th birthday by donating $10 million to Make-A- Wish, marking the largest donation ever given to the organization in its 43-year history.

Who has given the most make-a-wishes?

Professional wrestler John Cena holds the title for the most wishes granted by a single individual, at over 650 wishes.

How much did Michael Jordan donate to Make-A-Wish?

On his 60th birthday, Michael Jordan donated $10 million to Make A Wish, the largest gift the organization had ever received. His generosity aimed to inspire others to help bring joy and fulfill the dreams of children in need.

What celebrity donated the most money to charity?

While exact rankings are difficult due to private giving, Oprah Winfrey is frequently cited as the most generous celebrity, having donated hundreds of millions through her foundation for education and women/children's causes, with Michael Jackson also noted for immense giving (over $500M). Other top contenders include J.K. Rowling (who gave away a fortune) and recent billionaires like Elon Musk, though Winfrey's consistent, long-term giving often places her at the top for overall impact.
 

I Spent $100,000 On People's BIGGEST Wish!

16 related questions found

Which billionaire gives the most to charity?

While Warren Buffett often leads in total lifetime giving (over $60 billion), MacKenzie Scott is noted for giving away a significant portion of her wealth rapidly and to diverse causes, and George Soros has given the highest percentage of his wealth. Other top givers include Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, and Mark Zuckerberg & Priscilla Chan, focusing on global health, democracy, and science/education, respectively.
 

How much money did LeBron James donate to charity?

HEARTWARMING: #Lakers LeBron James has donated OVER $100 MILLION TO CHARITY since joining the. In 2004, James created a foundation in 2004 that has raised well over $100 million. Notably, James paid for 1100 different students' tuition in 2024, reportedlty costing $41 MILLION DOLLARS…

Who did Michael Jordan donate 10 million dollars to?

Michael Jordan recently donated $10 million to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, honoring his mother, Deloris Jordan, to advance brain health research, support neurological care (stroke, spine, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), and establish the Novant HealthDeloris Jordan Neuroscience Institute, building on his prior significant gift to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

Which NBA player has donated the most money?

While it's hard to name one definitive "most," Michael Jordan and LeBron James are consistently cited as top NBA philanthropists, with Jordan's massive, record-setting donation to Make-A-Wish and James's extensive foundation work in Akron making huge impacts, alongside others like Chris Paul and Steph Curry known for consistent giving. Jordan's $10 million donation to Make-A-Wish in 2023 was the largest single gift in its history, contributing to his overall $100 million+ giving. James's foundation supports education and community development in his hometown, including a $41 million pledge for scholarships. 

What celebrity turned down Make-A-Wish?

Ina Garten, chef and host of the Food Network show “Barefoot Contessa,” has been taking heat for twice rejecting a child's Make-a-Wish request. The child's wish was to meet Garten because he would watch her show from his sickbed.

Who is the world's No 1 charity person?

While rankings fluctuate, Bill Gates, often with Melinda French Gates, consistently ranks as a top global philanthropist, having directed tens of billions toward global health, poverty, and education via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with significant contributions also from Warren Buffett, George Soros, and MacKenzie Scott in recent times. 

What is John Cena diagnosed with?

John Cena's primary health concern revealed recently is a history of skin cancer, diagnosed twice after cancerous spots were removed from his chest and shoulder, leading him to advocate for sunscreen use, especially for men. He also faces typical wear-and-tear from his demanding career, with some speculation about musculoskeletal issues, like potential posture problems from years in wrestling and acting.
 

What celebrity did the most Make-A-Wish?

John Cena holds the Guinness World Record for granting the most wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, having fulfilled over 650 wishes for critically ill children, a number far surpassing any other celebrity, making him the most requested and dedicated wish granter in the organization's history. He consistently drops everything to grant wishes, seeing it as a profound honor.
 

What charity gives the highest percentage to the cause?

25 Nonprofits With Over 95% of Donations Going to the Cause

  • Christian Blind Mission International (100%) ...
  • Direct Relief (100%) ...
  • Heart to Heart International (100%) ...
  • MAP International (100%) ...
  • Midwest Food Bank (100%) ...
  • Feeding America (99%) ...
  • Good360 (99%) ...
  • HealthWell Foundation (99%)

Who donated 102 billion dollars?

Jamsetji donated generously mainly for education and healthcare. He was named the greatest philanthrope of the 20th century by EdelGive Foundation and Hurun Research India. He topped the list of the world's top philanthropists of the 20th century with an estimated donation of $102 billion adjusted for inflation.

Who donated the most to make-a-wish?

Since beginning his partnership with the organization in 1989, Jordan has been instrumental in granting hundreds of wishes. In honor of his 60th birthday, Jordan made a historic donation of $10 million to Make-A-Wish America—the largest individual contribution in the organization's 43-year history.

Was Michael Jordan a billionaire?

Widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, he was integral in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s. He is one of the world's richest celebrities, with a $3.8 billion net worth as of 2025.

How much money did Nike pay Michael Jordan?

Michael Jordan earns hundreds of millions annually from Nike through the Jordan Brand, with recent estimates placing his yearly income between $250M and over $300M, stemming from a reported 5% royalty on all brand sales, which generated around $7 billion in revenue for Nike in fiscal 2024. For example, he reportedly earned $349 million in fiscal 2024 and over $250 million in 2022, significantly surpassing his NBA career earnings.
 

Which athlete gives the most to charity?

Here are five of the world's most charitable athletes (and here's some of the most charitable athletes in Australia, too).

  1. Cristiano Ronaldo. Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most charitable soccer players in the world. ...
  2. Serena Williams. ...
  3. Lebron James. ...
  4. Ronda Rousey. ...
  5. John Cena.

How much money did Nike give LeBron?

LeBron James has a historic $1 billion lifetime deal with Nike, signed in 2015, which reportedly earns him an estimated $30-$40 million annually from salary and signature shoe royalties for the rest of his life, making it the first such deal in Nike's history. While the total value is projected to exceed $1 billion over time, the annual payout provides substantial, consistent income, solidifying his financial standing far beyond his playing career. 

Has Serena Williams donated to charity?

UNICEF: As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2011, Serena has supported initiatives like Schools for Africa and #EveryChildAlive, focusing on education for marginalized children and maternal health.

Does Taylor Swift donate money to charity?

Taylor Swift gives over $2 million to various charities in holiday donation spree. The American Heart Association, Feeding America, ACM Lifting Lives and MusiCares all thanked the pop superstar for opening her purse strings this Christmas.

Who is the kindest billionaire?

While Buffett is number one as measured by total giving, George Soros has given away a larger percentage of his net worth than anyone else on this list: 76% so far. A significant amount of his Open Society Foundations' work over the years has gone to support democracy in places like Central and Eastern Europe.

What percentage of St. Jude's donations go to charity?

St. Jude's states that 82 cents of every dollar received goes to support patient care and research, with the rest covering fundraising (13%) and administration (5%), though some analyses suggest closer to 50% of contributed funds went to patient care and research, with the remainder going to fundraising and building reserves, while insurance also covers significant treatment costs. St. Jude's primary funding comes from donations, and they cover all patient costs, but a large portion of revenue also comes from insurance reimbursements and grants.