A Timeline of Taylor Swift’s Generosity
February 2015 – Swift gives $50,000 in song proceeds to NYC schools
At the time, the singer just moved to New York and released the ode to her new home, the 1989 tune, “Welcome to New York.” In celebration, she announced that she would donate proceeds from the single to the city’s schools.
September 2015 – “Wildest Dreams” video proceeds go to animal foundation
In another 1989 song-related donation, Swift gave money made from her wildlife themed “Wildest Dreams” video to the African Parks Foundation of America (APFA), which focuses on eradication of poaching, nature conservation, community engagement and the development of sustainable tourism.
February 2016 – Swift supports Kesha with $250,000
Two days after a judge ruled against the “Tik Tok” singer in a case in which she asked to record music independently of producer Dr. Luke, Swift gave money to her fellow songstress during the “trying time.”
August 2016 – She thanks doctors who saved Jaime King’s son’s life
“At 20 weeks our son was diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries AKA TGA,” Jaime King wrote on Instagram at the time. “He had a major heart surgery, that was terrifying, and traumatic for us as parents, for our family.” She then continued to thank Swift. “As the Godmother of Leo Thames for his birthday she gave an incredible donation to the people that saved his life Dr. Allistar Phillips and his brilliant team.”
August 2017 – Swift donates to Joyful Heart Foundation for survivors of sexual assault
After winning a countersuit against a former Denver DJ who allegedly groped her in 2013, she gave back by making a “generous” pledge to actress Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation, which helps those victimized by sexual assault.
September 2017 – Hurricane Harvey survivors get a helping hand
Following the devastation that led to multiple deaths and extreme damages, Swift donated to the Houston Food Bank in honor of her mother, Andrea Finlay Swift, who graduated from the University of Houston. The organization soon thanked her for her “very sizable” donation.
April 2018 – Singer thanked by RAINN for donation during Sexual Assault Awareness Month
“Thank you @TaylorSwift13 for always standing with survivors,” the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network wrote on Twitter. “Your generous donation this week during #SAAPM ensures that survivors and their loved ones get the help they need and deserve.”
July 2018 – Swift donates Reputation tour tickets to mourning Massachusetts police departments
After Weymouth Sgt. Michael Chesna was shot and killed while investigating a car crash, Swift tried to ease the pain by donating “a significant number of tickets” to the police department for her shows in Foxborough, according to The Patriot Ledger.
October 2018 – Swift meets boy with autism she donated $10,000 to for a service dog
Two years after she donated $10,000 to a boy with autism for a service dog, Swift invited 8-year-old Jacob Hill, his dog Reid and his family to her show at NRG Stadium in Houston.
September 2019: Swift donates $10,000 to help fan battling cancer cover medical bills
16-year-old Trinity Foster was diagnosed with stage four osteosarcoma, which has spread to her lung.
Her GoFundMe page asks for help paying her medical bills, with a $10,000 goal. Swift donated $10,000 and left a sweet note for her fan. “I saw photos of your album release party that you did in your hospital room and wanted to say thank you for being so kind and supportive!” she wrote. “I hope I can give you a hug in person soon, but in the meantime I wanted to send you this and all my love. Your friend, Taylor.”
March 2020: She donates $1M to Nashville tornado relief efforts
The superstar made a donation to help those impacted by the tornadoes that destroyed homes and killed at least 24 people in Tennessee. “Nashville is my home and the fact that so many people have lost their homes and so much more in Middle Tennessee is devastating to me,” she wrote in an Instagram Story. “I’ve made a donation to the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund.”
March 2020: Swift quietly donates to fans amid coronavirus crisis
Several Swifties took to social media to share that the superstar had personally sent them stimulus checks to help them get through the crisis.
“Erin, I saw your tweets about the financial and emotional stress you’re under right now and it made me want so badly to help. I’m so sorry about your job and the uncertainty of what’s going on right now. I hope this gift of $3000 will help. I loved meeting you in New York and I hope you’re safe and healthy! Your pal, Taylor” Swift wrote in a private note to one fan, who tweeted, “Literally how is this an actual thing that has happened??? I will shut up never I’m so grateful for this woman.”
December 2020: Rent help
The star donated $13,000 to two mothers’ GoFundMe pages after reading a Washington Post article spotlighting Americans who are behind on rent due to the government’s lack of stimulus agreement amid the COVID-19 crisis.
One Nashville-based woman, Nikki Cornwell, is a single mother and shared that she is $5,000 behind on rent, and that she isn’t sure her kids will have a Christmas this year. “this has been a horrible year for us,” she wrote on her fundraising page, noting that she was supposed to start a job in May, but that was sidetracked when she tested positive for coronavirus.
Swift, alongside her donation, wrote: “Nikki, I read about you in the Washington Post and thought it was really brave of you to share your story. I’m so sorry for everything you’ve had to go through this year and wanted to send you this gift, from one Nashville girl to another. Love, Taylor.”
December 2020: Donation to Ohio food bank
An Ohio Swiftie named Sarah J. Bailey brought the star’s “Christmas Tree Farm” to her front yard, setting up an elaborate holiday light display to the song alongside a box for food bank donations.
Swift herself ended up seeing the video, and messaged Bailey personally this week to thank her. “Sarah, I loved your family’s Christmas lights show!!! Thank you (and your dad) so much for using Christmas Tree Farm to create such a fun spectacle,” the message Bailey shared to Twitter reads. “I really love how you’ve chosen to give back by mentioning your local food bank. I’ve made a donation to Our Community Hunger Center in your hometown. Happy Holidays! Love, Taylor.”
March 2021: Swift donates $50,000 to mother of five whose husband died of COVID-19
A GoFundMe dedicated to Vickie Quarles, a mother of five daughters whose husband, Theodis Ray Quarles, died of COVID-19, asked for $50,000 to offer the family financial relief and alleviate their “worry from things associated with basic immediate needs as well as for their continued growth, goals and asperations.”
Swift and her mother Andrea proceeded to quietly donate the entire $50,000 goal amount, raising the total north of $60,000.