14:24, 31 October 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” — Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey’s philanthropic journey demonstrates a commitment to empowering communities across the globe. From her earliest forays into giving to launching full-scale foundations, her work spans education, disaster relief and grassroots community support.
In her foundational work, the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation (OWCF) has made education a cornerstone of its mission. The foundation states that it was created “to lead, to educate, to uplift, to inspire and to empower women and children throughout the world” and that it “supports organisations around the world” with a specific focus on youth education.
One of her landmark investments is the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa which opened in 2007 and was backed by a $40 million gift, supporting academically-gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Earlier still, the Oprah’s Angel Network, launched in 1998, raised more than $80 million, established 60 schools in 13 countries, and offered scholarships and support for women’s shelters and youth centres. Though the Angel Network closed in 2010 after distributing its funds, it set a strong precedent for her giving model.
Beyond education, Oprah has demonstrated a capacity to respond to crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the OWCF shifted focus to address food insecurity and healthcare access in her “home towns” such as Chicago, Nashville and her hometown in Mississippi.
More recently, in response to the devastating wildfires in Maui, she co-launched the People’s Fund of Maui with Dwayne Johnson, committing an initial $10 million to direct-aid payments to adults displaced by the fires.
What distinguishes Oprah’s philanthropy is its dual emphasis: large-scale initiatives (schools, scholarship funds) paired with local, urgent giving (food banks, disaster relief). Her foundation emphasises helping “the most vulnerable in their communities” while also opening “doors so that each person can begin to define what it would mean to lead their best life and fulfil their own possibility for greatness.”
In doing so, she leverages her global platform to amplify causes while investing in long-term transformation.
At Smiley Movement, we elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this post.
Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation (OWCF). This charity supports education, community outreach and disaster-relief efforts globally, guided by the mission to “lead, to educate, to uplift, to inspire and to empower women and children throughout the world.” Learn more here.
The People’s Fund of Maui. Co-founded by Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, this fund provides direct financial assistance to residents displaced by the 2023 Maui wildfires. Find out more.
Opportunity International. This charity focuses on empowering girls in Africa through education and skills development, with support to expand access to learning and economic opportunities. Support them here.
This article aligns with the SDG Quality Education, Partnerships For The Goals.
