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Big Bang Theory Star Reveals a Generous Late-Night Habit

Kunal Nayyar says he clears random medical debts on GoFundMe as his 'masked vigilante thing'

(Newser) - Kunal Nayyar has a late-night habit you won't see on any resume: anonymously clearing strangers' medical bills on GoFundMe. The Big Bang Theory star, who once pulled in a reported $1 million per episode, says his wealth doesn't feel like a burden so much as "a grace...

Van Der Beek's GoFundMe Sees Some Big-Name Donors

Steven Spielberg donates $25K, while actor Zoe Saldana and director Jon M. Chu also contribute

(Newser) - Steven Spielberg has quietly stepped in to help James Van Der Beek's family, contributing $25,000 to a GoFundMe set up after the actor's death from colorectal cancer. The fund, launched by friends to support Van Der Beek's widow, Kimberly, and their six children after cancer treatment...

After Rescued Hikers Skip Out on Bill, the Public Steps Up
After Rescued Hikers Skip Out
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Jan 31, 2026 3:48 PM CST

After Rescued Hikers Skip Out on Bill, the Public Steps Up

Thousands donate to UK rescue team, covering hotel bill and then some

(Newser) - The public has made up for two unappreciative hikers who needed an hours-long rescue on England's highest peak, then scurried off without paying their hotel bill or returning borrowed gear. Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team says it was called to help the two young men stranded on Scafell Pike in...

Every Kid Should Have a Crossing Guard Like This

Video of student's icy rescue by Joe Sass in Chicago leads to fundraiser, charitable donation

(Newser) - On a frigid Chicago morning, a crossing guard with sturdy boots became the center of a literally uplifting viral moment. Josenrique Rodriguez, 13, was stalled a block from Jamieson Elementary School, staring at a mix of ice, snow, and puddles that threatened both his feet and his new Air Jordans....

US Olympians, Paralympians Now Have a $100M Incentive

Financier Ross Stevens pledges $200,000 to every Team USA competitor going forward

(Newser) - American Olympians who come home without a medal are about to get the kind of payout usually reserved for champions. Beginning with the Milan Cortina Winter Games next month, Wall Street financier Ross Stevens plans to give every US Olympic and Paralympic athlete $200,000 per Games—no podium finish...

Billionaire Donates to GoFundMe for ICE Agent in Minneapolis Shooting

GoFundMe for federal agent raises questions about ethics rules

(Newser) - Money is pouring in for a federal agent at the center of a fatal Minneapolis shooting, even as questions mount over whether he's allowed to take it. A GoFundMe set up for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Jonathan Ross, who allegedly shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday,...

It's a 'Disappointing Day' for the NRA

Gun rights group alleges its own NRA Foundation charity brought in $160M by misleading donors

(Newser) - The National Rifle Association is now in court against its own charity, accusing the NRA Foundation of hijacking its name, brand, and donor money. In a federal lawsuit filed Monday in Washington, DC, the gun rights group says the foundation has been raising money off the NRA's reputation while...

Rick Steves' $2M Saves a Much-Used Hygiene Center

Travel host buys Lynnwood site in Washington state, keeping free showers and meals

(Newser) - Rick Steves just spent $2.25 million—and not on travels in a far-flung land but on something much closer to home. The travel writer and TV host has been unmasked as the previously anonymous buyer who swooped in to keep the Lynnwood Hygiene Center, north of Seattle, from shutting...

Taylor Swift Opens Up Her Checkbook for Charities

$2M+ go toward hunger relief, heart research, and struggling music professionals

(Newser) - Taylor Swift is closing out the year with a string of big donations aimed at fighting hunger, advancing heart research, and supporting fellow musicians. As NBC News reports, nonprofits said this week that Swift gave $1 million each to Feeding America and the American Heart Association, plus an undisclosed but...

Treasury Department's Call: Help Us Fund Trump Accounts

Nation's business leaders, philanthropic organizations are urged to contribute

(Newser) - The US Treasury asked major philanthropic donors to contribute to new investment accounts for children Wednesday as part of what Secretary Scott Bessent called a "50 State Challenge" to raise funds for the Trump Accounts program. "The president is calling on our nation's business leaders and philanthropic...

Australia Shooting Hero Gets a Big Reward

$1.5M raised for Ahmed al Ahmed—'the best of our country,' according to PM Anthony Albanese

(Newser) - Ahmed al Ahmed went out for coffee at Sydney's Bondi Beach and ended up at the center of one of Australia's worst hate attacks—but also a national outpouring of gratitude, per CBS News . The 44-year-old Syrian-Australian shop owner, a Muslim father of two, was filmed ducking between...

Americans Gave $4B on GivingTuesday 2025

More than 11M people volunteered on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving

(Newser) - Americans gave $4 billion to nonprofits on GivingTuesday in 2025, an increase from the $3.6 billion they gave in 2024, according to estimates from the nonprofit GivingTuesday. More people also volunteered their time on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving this year, which fell on Dec. 2 and has become a...

New York's Art World Wonders Who Will Step Up Next

New York Times looks at the hole left by the deaths of Leonard Lauder and Agnes Gund

(Newser) - Two of the most influential art patrons in New York, Leonard Lauder and Agnes Gund, have died this year, and the New York Times both extols their largess and asks who will fill their shoes. Lauder, known for his record-setting $131 million donation to the Whitney Museum of American Art...

Scott Gives Away Billions. She Once Had to Borrow $1K

College roommate long ago loaned the future billionaire money so she could stay at Princeton

(Newser) - MacKenzie Scott, one of the world's wealthiest women and most influential philanthropists, is now known for her "no strings attached" surprise donations. But, as a Princeton sophomore, she learned what it was like to be on the receiving end of generosity. Facing the prospect of dropping out if...

MacKenzie Scott Continues Her HBCU Spending Spree

Philanthropist donates $700M to Black colleges across US, in a 'sea change' in philanthropy

(Newser) - MacKenzie Scott, billionaire philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has made headlines again with a monumental $700 million donation to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the United States. The gifts, which range from $19 million for Arkansas' Philander Smith University to an $80 million windfall for...

Woman Behind 'Bleeding Mary' Statue Is Headed for Fraud Trial

Gisella Cardia, husband accused of staging miracles while collecting $423K in donations

(Newser) - An Italian woman who claimed a statue of the Virgin Mary wept tears of blood is heading to trial for fraud. Prosecutors allege Gisella Cardia and her husband, Gianni Cardia, orchestrated fake apparitions and made doomsday predictions to attract hundreds of pilgrims and a small fortune in donations in the...

'Chronically Underfunded' Nonprofits Get $250M Boost

Melinda French Gates gives grants to more than 80 women's health organizations

(Newser) - More than 80 organizations that provide global health care for women received grants Wednesday totaling $250 million from Melinda French Gates after a yearlong application process. French Gates said the majority of recipients of the Action for Women's Health challenge haven't previously received funding from her organization, Pivotal,...

Toronto Hospital Gets 'Sweet Surprise' From Dodgers Fans

Fans donated around $30K to pediatric hospital after Blue Jays lost World Series

(Newser) - A classy move from Los Angeles Dodgers fans after their team's hard-fought World Series win:" Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, also known as SickKids, says Dodgers fans have donated around $30,000 since the victory, the Toronto Star reports. The move was inspired by a similar gesture...

Billie Eilish Has Something to Say to Billionaires

'Maybe give it to some people that need it,' pop star said at event attended by Mark Zuckerberg

(Newser) - Billie Eilish used her moment in the spotlight at the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards to call out billionaires, all while standing just feet from Mark Zuckerberg. Accepting the Music Innovator Award at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on Wednesday, Eilish, 23, urged the well-heeled crowd to...

MacKenzie Scott Makes One of Her Biggest Nonprofit Gifts Ever

Billionaire philanthropist donates $60M to Center for Disaster Philanthropy

(Newser) - MacKenzie Scott, one of the world's richest women and most influential philanthropists, has donated $60 million to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, according to a Tuesday announcement from the nonprofit. The donation is among the largest single gifts that Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has made...

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