Celebrities Who Starred in Ads for Nonprofits - List

In a world often dominated by sponsored content and paid partnerships, there's something genuinely powerful when celebrities lend their voices to causes without expecting anything in return. The last two years have seen an incredible wave of stars stepping up for nonprofits, using their massive platforms to drive real-world change. From providing clean water to fighting child hunger, here are the most impactful celebrity-nonprofit collaborations from 2024 to early 2026.

🌟 Featured Campaigns: The New Wave of Advocacy (2024–2026)MrBeast & Mark Rober: The Internet's Philanthropists Take on #TeamWaterWhen two of YouTube's biggest creators join forces, the world pays attention. In 2025, Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) and former NASA engineer Mark Rober reunited for their most ambitious project yet: #TeamWater. Building on the massive success of #TeamSeas, this campaign tackled the global water crisis head-on by partnering with GivePower, a nonprofit deploying solar water farms to communities in need.

The official mission video with GivePower shows the YouTubers traveling to communities facing severe water scarcity, installing solar-powered desalination systems that can provide clean water for thousands of people every single day. Watch it here:

What makes their approach unique is transparency—every dollar donated is tracked, every well documented. For a deeper dive into how the campaign raised millions, watch the explanation video of the fundraising campaign:

It breaks down the logistics, the partnerships, and the tangible impact, proving that online communities can solve offline problems.

Antoni Porowski: Finding Connection Through Food with WFPQueer Eye's food and wine expert Antoni Porowski has deepened his commitment to the World Food Programme with new content filmed in 2024 and 2025. His approach remains refreshingly human—rather than delivering speeches, Porowski sits with families, cooks with them, and listens.

A powerful YouTube Short titled "La comida nos une" (Food Unites Us) captures this beautifully. Watch it here:

In under a minute, we see Porowski learning to prepare a traditional meal in Senegal, his expressions shifting from curiosity to genuine connection. It's intimate, unpolished, and deeply moving.

In a longer interview about his humanitarian work, Porowski opens up about how these experiences have changed his relationship with food. Watch the full interview here:

"It's not just about calories," he explains. "It's about dignity, culture, and the simple act of sharing a meal." His advocacy reminds us that fighting hunger isn't just about providing food—it's about honoring the people we're helping.

Larry Lamb: The Voice of Christmas for Vulnerable ChildrenBritish actor Larry Lamb has become synonymous with Action for Children's Christmas campaigns, and his 2025 TV advert for "Secret Santa" is perhaps his most impactful yet. Watch the advertisement here:

The advertisement captures the loneliness vulnerable children can feel during the holidays, contrasting festive cheer with empty chairs and silent bedrooms. Lamb's narration adds gravitas without becoming maudlin. He speaks directly to viewers, inviting them to become Secret Santas for children who might otherwise receive nothing. The campaign drove record donations, proving that when a familiar voice speaks with authenticity, audiences listen.

Millie Bobby Brown: Growing Up, Speaking Out for UNICEFNow a young woman, Millie Bobby Brown continues her work as UNICEF's youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador with renewed urgency. Her "Go Blue" campaign for children's rights encourages supporters to wear blue in solidarity with children facing violence and exploitation. Watch the campaign here:

What makes Brown's advocacy so effective is her connection with younger audiences. She speaks to them as peers, not as a distant celebrity. The campaign videos feature real stories from children she's met during her field visits, grounding the message in lived experience rather than abstract statistics.

🏛️ Classic Voices: Iconic Ambassadors Who Set the StandardWhile new campaigns capture today's headlines, several celebrity advocates have spent decades building legacies of genuine impact.

David Beckham: Two Decades Protecting Childhood

David Beckham's partnership with UNICEF spans nearly 20 years, focusing relentlessly on ending violence against children. His visual campaign against child violence avoids easy sentimentality. Watch it here:

Instead, it presents stark images of childhood interrupted, accompanied by Beckham's steady narration. What sets Beckham apart is his longevity. He doesn't appear only when cameras are rolling—he's visited projects in Sierra Leone, consulted with experts, and used his global profile to keep child protection in public discourse year after year.

Matt Damon: The Dignity of Clean Water

Long before #TeamWater, Matt Damon was revolutionizing how we think about water access. His work with Water.org, co-founded in 2009, introduced the concept of microfinance to the water sector. The "Buy a Lady a Drink" campaign cleverly subverted expectations. Watch it here:

Instead of a bar pickup line, Damon invited viewers to fund small loans helping women bring clean water to their communities. The campaign's genius lies in its framing. This isn't charity; it's investment in women's economic independence. By treating water access as a solvable problem rather than an endless tragedy, Damon helped shift the entire conversation around global development.

Angelina Jolie: The Gold Standard of Refugee Advocacy

For over two decades, Angelina Jolie has represented UNHCR with a seriousness that transcends typical celebrity involvement. Her message for World Refugee Day cuts through political rhetoric to focus on individual human beings. Watch it here:

What makes Jolie's advocacy endure is her willingness to show up—not just at galas, but in refugee camps, conflict zones, and diplomatic meetings. When she speaks about displaced families, she speaks with the authority of someone who has sat in their tents, listened to their fears, and carried their stories to world leaders.

Selena Gomez: Nutrition as the Foundation of Opportunity

Selena Gomez brings a unique perspective to her work with UNICEF, speaking openly about her own health struggles while advocating for children's nutrition. Her call to action for child nutrition connects the dots between physical health, mental wellbeing, and future opportunity. Watch it here:

Gomez's approach resonates particularly with younger audiences who've watched her navigate public challenges. She frames nutrition not as a technical issue, but as the foundation for everything else—education, ambition, and the chance to build a life.

Why These Partnerships Matter Now

What distinguishes these collaborations from standard celebrity endorsements is authenticity. In every case, the celebrities involved have either personal connections to their causes or have invested significant time understanding the issues.

For nonprofits, this visibility brings:

• Unprecedented reach to audiences who might never otherwise encounter their work

• Media attention that translates into policy pressure and funding

• Human connection that transforms statistics into stories

For audiences, these campaigns offer entry points into complex global issues. When we see someone we admire caring about clean water or refugee rights, it becomes easier to imagine ourselves caring too.

The most effective celebrity advocacy doesn't center the celebrity—it centers the cause. Whether it's MrBeast documenting every dollar spent or Angelina Jolie amplifying refugee voices, these stars remind us that influence, properly used, can truly change the world.

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