Charities of the stars

If you plan to contribute to a cause just because a Hollywood celebrity or sports figure is connected with it, read the fine print first.

Oprah promotes her favorite charity weekly on her show. Above, she congratulates on erecipient, Richard Bienvenue.

It's tough to pick up a magazine these days without seeing an article about the great work stars do for their particular causes. Their pull is hard to dispute: Reading about Michael J. Fox's foundation to fight Parkinson's disease (from which he suffers) impels you to write a check. But should you? Daniel Borochoff, president of the American Institute of Philanthropy, says you should look at celebrity-founded and -backed charities "differently." Not only should you check the percentage of dollars raised that go to a charity's program, but it's also crucial to look at the board of directors. "It can become loaded with family members or friends who don't have the necessary expertise," he says.

If you support a celebrity's charity because you believe in the celebrity more than you believe in the cause, you need to know how closely the star is tied to the charity. Borochoff helps find charities for celebrities who believe they need an image boost. "Sometimes you have a celebrity just lending his name," he says. "Other times, they're really involved."

How do you make the call? Debra Snider, spokeswoman for Guidestar.org, a Web site that publishes details on charities, suggests starting with your own criteria. What disease do you hope to cure, or cause do you hope to support? Use Guidestar's tools to search for groups that meet your needs. If a celeb you like is affiliated, all the better.

A few prominent people and their causes

Charity: Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
Founder: Elizabeth Taylor
Mission: Raises money to support organizations that care for AIDS patients, conduct research and educate the public.
Funds going to program: 84%
To contribute: P.O. Box 55995, Sherman Oaks, Calif. 91413.

Fox lobbied Congress for more funding for Parkinson's research.

Charity: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Founder: Michael J. Fox
Mission: To raise funds to build awareness of and find a cure for Parkinson's disease.
Funds going to program: Too new to report.
To contribute: michaeljfox.org

Charity: Oprah's Angel Network
Founder: Oprah Winfrey
Mission: To inspire and help people who use their lives to improve the lives of others through grass-roots outreach and charitable programs.
Funds going to program: 100%
To contribute: oprah.com

Charity: Children's Health Fund
Founder: Paul Simon
Mission: Funds organizations that provide medical care to underprivileged kids.
Funds going to program: 84% (in 1998)
To contribute: childrenshealthfund.org

Charity: Hole in the Wall Gang Foundation
Founder: Paul Newman
Mission: Runs a free, non-profit summer camp and year-round center for children with cancer, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia and other serious blood disorders.
Funds going to program: 89% (in 1998)
To contribute: www.holeinthewallgang.org

Charity: For All Kids Foundation
Founder: Rosie O'Donnell
Mission: To develop the intellectual, cultural and
social development of low-income children.
Funds going to program: 95%
To contribute: forallkids.org

Charity: New York Restoration Project
Founder: Bette Midler
Mission: Works to uncover, reclaim and clean neglected public spaces. Strives to protect these public resources and identify the problems associated with their neglect and with their restoration to revitalize communities.
Funds going to program: 75%
To contribute: nyrp.org

Charity: Save the Manatee Club
Founder: Jimmy Buffett
Mission: To conserve these endangered sea animals.
Funds going to program: 87% (in 1998)
To contribute: savethemanatee.org

Charity: Giving Back Network
Founder: Mark Pollick, who spent years working on the Holocaust Museum and established his first foundation for Elie Wiesel
Mission: To link celebrities with professionals who create and manage charitable foundations for athletes and entertainers. Britney Spears' foundation, for example, was set up to support a summer arts camp for underprivileged kids, while Indiana Pacers guard Jalen Rose established his to help fund programs that support single parents.
Funds going to program: 95-99%, depending on the foundation.
To contribute: www.givingback.org

Jean Chatzky is an editor at large for Money magazine.