Top YouTube star MrBeast runs a charity organization, called Beast Philanthropy, giving away money and eye surgeries
MrBeast is known for his over-the-top viral videos and over-the-top charitable acts.
The YouTube star, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has given away millions of dollars in his videos to causes such as the Arbor Day Foundation and The Ocean Cleanup.
The 26-year-old started on YouTube by posting videos under the username MrBeast6000 from Donaldson's hometown of Greenville, North Carolina, where he still lives.
In 2017, he went viral with a video in which he counted from zero to 100,000, beginning a journey that led him to become YouTube's top creator.
He has over 395 million subscribers on YouTube. While MrBeast's net worth is unknown, he said in February 2025 that he's a billionaire on paper.
His charitable stunts and giveaways have helped him go viral. In 2021, he challenged participants to remain in a circle and gave the last person to leave $500,000. The video gained over 500 million views.
MrBeast also runs a charity organization called Beast Philanthropy, which works on campaigns to donate money and resources. It also runs a food bank, called The Beast Pantry, in North Carolina. The Beast Philanthropy YouTube channel has over 27 million subscribers.
Donaldson began incorporating philanthropy into his content back in 2017, after inking his first brand sponsorship deal on YouTube.
He was paid $10,000 for the brand deal, and in the video, he gave the money away as tips to pizza delivery drivers.
The giveaway changed the trajectory of Donaldson's content strategy. From then on, he created content about giving money away to people in his community, Twitch streamers, and even food delivery drivers.
At first, Donaldson's giveaways helped him go viral online, which in turn allowed him to donate more money to various people and charities. But over time, his charity efforts became controversial.
MrBeast's philanthropic efforts: from giveaways to charity stunts
MrBeast has given away gobs of cash to a wide range of causes, including planting trees, cleaning the ocean, and even paying for someone's cataract surgery.
In 2019, Donaldson hit national news for his online campaign to raise money to plant 20 million trees. He partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation on the movement called #TeamTrees, which even attracted funding from Elon Musk.
MrBeast typically funds these charity stunts through his businesses, sponsorship deals, and advertising earnings from his YouTube channel.
He's built a team to run his philanthropic efforts. It includes Darren Margolias, who worked in real estate development, and has become the face of Beast Philanthropy.
Donaldson's charity efforts have also had a cultural impact, making charity both "cool" and entertaining.
Backlash to MrBeast's philanthropy
MrBeast's charity stunts have also drawn critics who say his philanthropic efforts are self-serving.
For instance, in 2023, he received backlash on Twitter for his video in which he gifted eye surgeries.
Donaldson responded on the social platform, now called X, pointing out the irony: "Twitter - Rich people should help others with their money. Me - Okay, I'll use my money to help people and I promise to give away all my money before I die. Every single penny. Twitter - MrBeast bad."
This was far from the only time Donaldson has been accused of being performative in his charitable acts. Some on the internet have even called his videos staged.
His grand gestures have been accused of failing to contribute to fixing systemic issues like poverty and instead being performed for entertainment. For example, after his 2024 video titled "I Built 100 Houses And Gave Them Away," some fans online criticized the YouTuber for using the subjects of the video to get views.
He also sparked controversy in 2023 when Donaldson gifted a car to a waitress in a TikTok video. Some fans said online that they were disappointed that the car displayed his YouTube logo and the name of his chocolate brand, Feastables, accusing him of using the giveaway for promotion.
In times of backlash, MrBeast has typically shrugged off any criticism and doubled down that he's not giving up on giving back.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Frontman of '80s synth pop band reveals Parkinson's diagnosis at 65
Morten Harket, frontman of the famous Norwegian band A-ha, has Parkinson's disease. The 65-year-old singer opened up about his diagnosis and treatment in an article on the band's website. 'I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis,' Harket said. 'With time I've taken to heart my 94-year-old father's attitude to the way the organism gradually surrenders: 'I use whatever works.'' Parkinson's disease is an age-related degenerative brain condition in which parts of the brain start to deteriorate, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The incurable condition typically starts to develop in individuals 60 and older. It is also slightly more common in men. Symptoms include slowed movements, tremors and balance problems. Harket had kept his diagnosis mostly private except for some people close to him, until now. 'Part of me wanted to reveal it. Like I said, acknowledging the diagnosis wasn't a problem for me; it's my need for peace and quiet to work that has been stopping me,' he said. The singer traveled to the United States in June 2024 for brain surgery at the Mayo Clinic, which 'led to a dramatic improvement in his symptoms.' The surgery involved implanting electrodes in the left side of his brain that are connected to a device under the skin on his chest that sends electrical impulses to the electrodes for deep brain stimulation. Later, in December, he had the surgery on the right side of his brain. While Harket's symptoms improved, he still has to cope with the daily trials of the degenerative disorder. 'I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline. It's a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and managing its side effects,' Harket said. 'There's so much to weigh up when you're emulating the masterful way the body handles every complex movement, or social matters and invitations, or day-to-day life in general.' However, Harket isn't letting his symptoms stop him from making music. 'I don't expect to be able to achieve full technical control,' he said of his singing voice. 'The question is whether I can express myself with my voice. As things stand now, that's out of the question. But I don't know whether I'll be able to manage it at some point in the future.' A-ha is best known for the group's international synth-pop hit, 'Take On Me,' as well as 'The Sun Always Shines on T.V.' The former topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985 and its accompanying whimsical music video, which saw Harket and the band enter an animated drawing, has 2.1 billion views on YouTube. In 1986, the band was nominated for the Grammy for best new artist. The band released studio albums in 1986, 1988, and 1990, with single hits including 'Hunting High and Low,' 'The Living Daylights,' 'Stay on These Roads' and 'Crying in the Rain.' A-ha went on hiatus after their fifth studio album, 'Memorial Beach,' failed to match the commercial success of their previous albums. The band later reunited in 1998 and has released eleven studio albums, several compilations and four live albums to date. Pop star 'to disappear for a bit' after sharing breast cancer diagnosis 'Right place, right time': Post Malone pays for others' drinks at Boston bar Singer confirms creepy context behind biggest song 20 years after release Lola Young 2025 Tour coming to Boston, where to buy tickets Hip-hop mogul makes major announcement after hinting at 'big decision' Read the original article on MassLive.
Cosmopolitan
an hour ago
- Cosmopolitan
Who Is Wendy Ortiz? Why Fans Are Begging Kylie Jenner to Collab with Her
Kylie Jenner's comment sections can be a dark and divisive space. It's where you'll find debates about what work she's gotten done, droves of naysayers policing her mothering style, and maybe even some calls to eat the rich. But as of late, on Kylie's TikTok, you'll also find a pretty unified front. A baffling one at that. Because it's where thousands of users are asking, nay, begging, for Kylie to recognize someone by the name of Wendy Ortiz. The requests take the shape of anything from "WENDY ORTIZ COLLAB QUEEN" to the slightly less aggressive "Wendy Ortiz X Kylie Jenner collab Would EAT." The tireless calls are being made on Kylie's GRWM videos, her thirst traps, and even her well-intentioned promos for new Kylie Cosmetics foundation brushes. The Wendy Ortiz hive will not let Kylie rest. If the legion of shooters she's got littered in Kylie's comments weren't already an indication, let it be known that Wendy is no random. In short, she's 21 years old, a Scorpio, and has over 3.7 million followers on TikTok. She originally came to slight fame in 2018 through the YouTube channel she shared with her twin sister, called Evelyn and Wendolyn, but her solo TikTok blew up in 2023. It's where she posts everything from dance videos to comedy skits to clips of her 2-year-old daughter, Valentina (Wendy had her in 2023 with her on-again, off-again partner, Carlos). But recently, Valentina has set her sights on a whole other platform, Twitch. Her following on there is a bit smaller (678k), but she was one of the more popular students at Kai Cenat's recent Streamer University project, and since then has hosted a Streamer University recap livestream and some Q&As on Twitch. The Kylie Jenner of it all began when, during one of her streams, Wendy decided to shoot her shot and vocalize that her dream collab would be with the makeup mogul. Now, to be clear, by "collab," Wendy doesn't mean join forces on a cosmetic product or campaign, but instead just having Kylie join her on one of her streams. A harmless ask! But Wendy's fans, the "Winions" (a stan name deserving of a trademark), heard this dream and decided it was their mission to make it a reality. Hence their intense presence in the comments of everything Kylie posts, which some have understandably grown a little tired of. "Leave this woman alone…. she's not collabing with a tiktoker," wrote one worn down Kylie follower. "When you say collab, what are you guys referring to just sitting in front of a camera together? lol" asks another. (A genuinely valid question.) Now according to some eagle-eyed Winions (I'm obsessed with this stan name and intend to say it as much as possible) their calls might posisbly have been heard. Earlier this week on a stream, Wendy was left astonished by a text she'd received, which the Winons took to mean that Wendy had finally received contact from Kylie herself. Now, any word from Kylie herself about the phenomenon is yet to come. But I can't imagine she can keep posting business as usual for very long. The Winions have shown no sign of letting up.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Who is 'Jane'? Upcoming witness faces battle for anonymity in Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial
Who is 'Jane'? Upcoming witness faces battle for anonymity in Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial Show Caption Hide Caption Security guard says Sean Combs offered cash for hotel video Eddy Garcia testified Sean Combs paid $100K for hotel footage showing him kick, hit and drag Cassie Ventura Fine, according to court testimony. As Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-crimes trial stretches on in New York, another woman is expected to take the stand to testify to abuse and coercion at the hands of the music mogul. The witness, who is going simply by "Jane," will remain anonymous – a request granted by the judge, who has explicitly warned jurors and court attendees against sharing information that could reveal her identity. Jane is following in the footsteps of "Mia," a former employee of Combs, who has accused the rapper of assault and also testified under a pseudonym. Jane, a single mother who prosecutors claim was roped into Combs' empire of sex parties and abuse, faces an uphill battle, though, in keeping her true identity hidden. Diddy trial live updates: Diddy allegedly dangled woman over balcony, threatened to kill her Who is 'Mia'? Why you won't see photos of Diddy's ex-personal assistant during trial After her testimony wrapped up this week, several outlets published Mia's real name online, a practice generally avoided by newspapers and magazines at the urging of the courts. Prosecutors also alerted the judge that an individual inside the courtroom this week had broadcast the proceedings into his phone, using Mia's name and later outing her again on his YouTube channel. The person was banned from the courtroom. A witness' identity can be kept private for a host of reasons but, in the case of both Mia and Jane, it is likely being done to prevent online harassment by legions of Combs' loyal fans and to avoid the shame that can sometimes accompany admitting one has been sexually assaulted. Who is testifying in the Diddy trial? Cassie, Kid Cudi, more who have taken the stand Especially in a high-profile case like that of Combs, who is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, a victim may choose to remain anonymous to protect themselves from retaliation or harassment. Anonymity has emerged as a hot-button issue in recent years, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement, as one side argues that if a celebrity faces public allegations of assault, the accuser should be forced to come forward, too. Witnesses say Sean 'Diddy' Combs broke the law for decades. Why didn't they say anything? On the other side, advocates argue that, given the public shame that can come from revealing one has been assaulted, anonymity provides a necessary sense of security, so victims choose to come forward. "The reason the defense wants the victims to be identified is they think, and rightfully so, that that will discourage victims from coming forward," former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani previously told USA TODAY. "They've been victimized, (and) now they have to relive this trauma in a very public way," says Rahmani, president of personal injury law firm West Coast Trial Lawyers. "These cases draw a lot of attention. People on social media will call them liars. They'll say that this is just a money grab, that they're just seeking fame."
