In the glamorous realm of celebrity philanthropy, A-listers have long leveraged their fame to shine a light on charitable causes, from Paul Newman’s Newman’s Own Foundation, which has donated hundreds of millions to various charities through its food products, to Olivia Rodrigo’s Fund 4 Good, which champions reproductive rights during her Guts World Tour. This not only showcases their commitment to giving back but also ensures their acts of kindness are meticulously recorded and promoted by their publicists.
The Will And Jada Smith Family Foundation once stood as a prime example of how Hollywood’s elite could use their influence to support causes close to their hearts, such as health and wellness, arts education, and sustainability. However, Will Smith’s public image suffered a significant blow following his altercation with Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. Subsequently, tax filings reveal a noticeable decline in donations from previously high-profile contributors, leading to the foundation’s eventual closure.
Tax records, as reviewed by Variety through ProPublica, indicate a dramatic decrease in the foundation’s revenue, plummeting from $1,760,000 in 2020 and $2,138,660 in 2021 to just $365,870 in 2022. This 83% drop included the loss of donations from significant contributors like American Airlines and CAA, which had donated $76,160 and $100,000 respectively in 2021.
Sources close to the foundation disclosed to Variety that the Smiths had already begun the process of winding down the foundation, established in 1996, prior to the Oscars incident. They intend to continue their philanthropic efforts privately.
The foundation’s 2022 charitable activities included donations to notable organizations such as the American Film Institute and Big Brothers Big Sisters, alongside contributions to smaller entities like Rebecoming and World Rebirth Foundation. Rebecoming focuses on exploring the therapeutic potential of non-ordinary states of consciousness, though attempts to reach the organization have been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the World Rebirth Foundation, despite having an inactive official website, maintains a Facebook page that outlines its mission to support those in need, teach life skills, and address issues like gun violence and mental health.
In addition to charitable donations, the foundation’s 2022 expenditures also covered office equipment and computers, with a notable $3,304 spent on bank overdraft fees. A decline in staffing levels further indicates a shift away from organizational involvement, with no paid staff reported in 2022.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Oscars incident, Will Smith continues to secure significant roles in Hollywood, commanding $25 million for his work on “Bad Boys 4” and Netflix’s “Fast and Loose.” The Will And Jada Smith Family Foundation’s future tax information for 2023 is anticipated to be released soon, offering further insight into the foundation’s current status and activities.