Ray of Light Foundation

Ray of Light Foundation is a charity non-profit organization founded by American singer-songwriter Madonna in 1998. Named after her seventh studio album, Ray of Light (1998), it is dedicated to helping "to promote peace, equal rights and education for all".[1][2] The organization focuses on women, education, global development and humanitarian.[3]

Ray of Light Foundation
IndustryNon-profit
Founded1998 (1998)
FounderMadonna
HeadquartersLos Angeles, U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Melanie Ciccone (trustee)
Websiterayoflight.org

Foundation

After contributing to various charitable organizations, Madonna decided to establish her own in 1998 and named it after her eight studio album, Ray of Light (1998).[4] The foundation is based in Los Angeles, California, with Melanie Ciccone (Madonna's sister) working as its trustee.[5]

Selected charitable activities

Palestina

The Ray of Light Foundation has supported various programs in Palestine. They include funding teachers' salaries at schools in the Gaza Strip through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and micro loans to female farmers through the Palestine Fair Trade Association.[6] The foundation also supports Americans for Peace Now, which campaigns for a diplomatic solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.[7] According to the UNRWA 2018 annual report, Ray of Light Foundation helped more than 2,600 Palestine refugee girls to access inclusive, high-quality education at Jabalia Elementary Girls School and Rafah Preparatory Girls School in the Gaza Strip.[8]

Detroit

The foundation has worked actively in Madonna's hometown Detroit, sponsoring three charities: Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program for a boxing gym for at-risk youth, Detroit Achievement Academy for providing supplies, and the Empowerment Plan for training homeless women to manufacture coats that convert into sleeping bags.[9]

LGBT issues

In 2019, the Ray of Light Foundation joined a partnership with the National LGBTQ Task Force to expand that group's "violence prevention work, especially as it affects transgender women of color."[10]

Health

Ray of Light Foundation, also helped to medical research and health associations, particularly those for musicians who are facing health problems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation funded American Near East Refugee Aid to purchase medicines and medical supplies.[11]

Other contributions

The foundation gave nearly $4.4 million between 2001 and 2006 to the Kabbalah Center in Los Angeles; and followed up with more than $2.6 million in 2007. Ray of Light Foundation is also a frequent contributor to Raising Malawi, including a $1.3 million grant in 2016.

References
  1. "Madonna Celebrates Birthday by Asking Fans to Buy Charity Tees, Donate to Help Doctor". ABC News Radio. August 16, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  2. Daniels, Karu F. (April 23, 2020). "Madonna teams up with Meek Mill to send 100,000 masks to inmates and prison staff". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  3. "Madonna". Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  4. Jacobs, David (2005). The Foundation Directory, 2005 Edition. Foundation Center. p. 233. ISBN 9781595420183.
  5. "Return of Private Foundation" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  6. "Madonna Refuses To Cancel Her Eurovision Performance In Israel Despite Calls For Boycotting". The Daily Wire. May 14, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  7. Serjeant, Jill (May 14, 2019). "Madonna, on Eurovision, says she won't bow 'to suit someone's political agenda'". Reuters. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  8. "Annual Report 2018" (PDF). United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  9. "3 charities find Madonna is their lucky star". Crain's Detroit Business. October 26, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  10. "Madonna Supports the National LGBTQ Task Force". National LGBTQ Task Force. June 26, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  11. "COVID-19 in Lebanon and Palestine: Anera Response Log". American Near East Refugee Aid. December 29, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
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