In 2007, Oprah established a school in South Africa for underprivileged girls. The education center was established for high school girls (grades 8-12). This was a project that was long in the running and took many years to get off the ground. In 2017, Oprah announced that she had spent about $140 million on it since the year it opened.
The school covers all living expenses including uniforms and school supplies. The students call her Mama O and even enjoy ‘fireside chats’ with her on a continuous basis. The kids in there are an inspiration.
N Street Village
This nonprofit is geared to helping thousands of homeless and low-income earning women. It was of course on Oprah's list of major contributions. According to The Washington Post, in June of 2016, Winfrey gave a $1 million donation to N Street Village.
In a speech at the N Street Village charity event, Winfrey announced her donation on stage. “For everyone in this room, every life you touch is your legacy. I thank you, N Street, for seeing, hearing, and knowing that every life matters. I’m pledging today $1 million.”
"A Wrinkle in Time" Campaign
While promoting her film, "A Wrinkle in Time" in March 2018, Oprah revealed some big plans to the hosts of Good Morning America. In the interview, she shared that she intends to donate $50,000 to Taylor Richardson's campaign.
Richardson was a 14-year-old girl who is on a mission to raise enough money for 1, 000 young black girls in her hometown to see Oprah's film. Winfrey, of course, read about this and promised to match the $50, 000 that they had already collected.
Ron Clark Academy
If there is one thing Mama O can't get enough of, it's improving education and bettering the lives of the youth. In November 2017, Oprah made yet another contribution to yet another school. This time, the Ron Clark Academy — a middle school in Southeast Atlanta.
While attending the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Ron Clark Academy, Winfrey revealed her plans to donate $5 million to the school. The academy’s co-founder and author of “The Essential 55” has even been on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” multiple times.
Rise Against Hunger
This time, the TV host joined forces with the Kraft Heinz Company to help organizations that fight hunger around America and the world. In August 2017, Oprah Winfrey together with the food company introduced their new O, That’s Good! line. A collection of foods consists of four soups and four sides.
The initiative takes ten percent of profits and splits it equally among a number of hunger organizations such as Rise Against Hunger and Feeding America. This was the first project from the duo’s joint venture.