The Ray of Light Foundation is a non-profit charity organization that was established in 1998 by American singer-songwriter Madonna. The foundation takes its name from Madonna's seventh studio album, Ray of Light, released in 1998. Its primary mission is to "promote peace, equal rights, and education for all."[1][2] The organization's key areas of focus include women's empowerment, education initiatives, global development, and various humanitarian efforts.[3]
Foundation
After contributing to various charitable organizations, Madonna decided to establish her own in 1998 and named it after her seventh studio album, Ray of Light (1998).[4] The foundation is based in Los Angeles, California, with Melanie Ciccone (Madonna's sister) working as its trustee.[5] According to Sarah Ezzy from Global Philanthropy Group, she "alone" funds the organization.[6] The foundation's primary focus areas are women, education, international development, and humanitarian concerns.[3]
In the Americas, the foundation contributed to the Community Organized Relief Effort in Haiti, an organization founded by her former husband Sean Penn which Madonna visited in 2013.[11][12] The following year, Madonna donated to three Detroit organizations: Detroit Achievement Academy & Detroit Prep, Downtown Boxing Gym and the Empowerment Plan, with supplies such as iPods and iPads, as well as money, to assist in the construction of a boxing gym.[13][11][6] Furthermore, the foundation has supported causes for artists suffering from health issues as well as medical research and health organizations.[14] By 2007, it was reported that Madonna had made small donations to various health organizations, including TJ Martell Foundation for Leukemia and Cancer Research and also to All Saints Church.[15]
In 2019, the Ray of Light Foundation joined a partnership with the National LGBTQ Task Force to expand that group's "violence prevention work, especially as it affects transgender women of color."[17]