Matt Damon

Born October 8, 1970 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Matt Damon launched his acting career from the film he co-wrote with Ben Affleck, Good Will Hunting. Since its release in 1997, he has starred in such box office hits as Saving Private Ryan, The Bourne Identity, and Invictus. He has won an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and garnered 17 other award nominations. Throughout all of this, though, he has maintained his steady and generous philanthropic endeavor. He has not only donated funding but also played a role in founding a number of celebrity charities.

Damon co-founded H2O Africa, its name changed to Water.org in 2009, an organization whose mission is to raise funds to purify water in developing countries. First, Water.org identifies the countries most in need and funds local partner organizations that will sanitize the water, promote health and hygiene, and organize community involvement. The foundation has assisted communities in gaining access to safe water in Africa, Asia and Central America.

Along with celebrities George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle and Jerry Weintraub, Damon co-founded Not On Our Watch, an international advocacy group bringing awareness to global crises. He has also supported the ONE Campaign which combats AIDS and poverty worldwide. He is also an ambassador for ONEXONE, a non-profit group dedicated to improving the lives of children. ONEXONE hosts a number of annual charity events with Damon in attendance and has featured musical performances by Snow Patrol, Mary J. Blige and Collective Soul.