Who Knew? Alec Baldwin is a Pretty Serious Philanthropist

Actor Alec Baldwin's net worth provides yet another example of the kind of large earnings made by today's top celebrities. While NBC's 30 Rock is no more, Baldwin reportedly made $300,000 per episode for the seven seasons during which he was involved with the show. As well, Baldwin received a producer's credit for much of the show's run, likely pumping his earnings even higher. The 57-year-old Baldwin, in other words, has amassed quite a bit of wealth over the years—$65 million, by some estimates—a portion of which has gone toward philanthropy. In fact, in 2006, the same year that 30 Rock's first season began, Baldwin established the Alec Baldwin Foundation. These days, the foundation has been giving in the neighborhood of $2 to $4 million annually.

So far, the Alec Baldwin Foundation appears to have a number of interests, including arts and culture, the environment, youth, health, and human rights, but outfits in New York City and Long Island have been the biggest beneficiaries. Baldwin's parents raised their family in Massapequa, Long Island, and Baldwin lives in New York, so his ties to this region are strong. While the foundation doesn't really provide a clear avenue for grantseekers to get in touch, the foundation is active on social media, with more than 1 million followers on Twitter. Here are a few must-knows about Baldwin's philanthropy:

1. Baldwin Has A Strong Interest in Arts and Culture

Some of the largest recent grantts from of the Alec Baldwin Foundation have gone to arts and culture outfits, mainly in New York and Long Island, but elsewhere as well. Some of this grantmaking benefits other places where Baldwin has been involved over the years, such as the Roundabout Theatre Company and Guild Hall of East Hampton, both of which have been steadily supported. New York Philharmonic, meanwhile, received a $500,000 grant in 2013 and 2012, and a $1 million grant in 2011. Baldwin sits on the board of the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, and has been a radio series host at the Philharmonic. Support has also gone to outfits such as Actor's Fund of America, Symphony Space on the Upper West Side, Lincoln Center Theater, Carnegie Hall Society, American Ballet Theatre, Sundance Institute, and more.

2. Baldwin Has Been An Environmental Advocate

Baldwin has been critical of the country's dependence on fossil fuels. Money coming out of the Alec Baldwin Foundation of late has focused on environmental conservation and animals. Recent grantees include Peconic Land Trust, NRDC, Central Park Conservancy, Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Wildlife Preservation Coalition of Eastern Long Island, Equine Advocates, and Waterkeeper Alliance, whose vision is for "swimmable, drinkable, fishable waterways worldwide"

3. Sums Have Also Gone Towards Youth and Education

Baldwin's alma mater, New York University, received $1 million grants in 2010 and 2012. Recent money has also gone to the Yale School of Drama. Baldwin has supported youth outfits such as Bent on Learning, "a nonprofit committed to teaching yoga to New York City public school children." It's worth noting that Baldwin's wife, Hilaria, is a yoga professional. Some grantmaking in this area also involves arts education, with recent money going to Highbridge Voices, "an extended-day music and academic program designed to inspire excellence in the lives of children," among others, and Young Chicago Authors.

4. Baldwin Has Supported Health Outfits

Baldwin has steadily supported the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, created by Baldwin's mother Carol, a breast cancer survivor. Additionally, Baldwin's father died of lung cancer, so the motivation here is strong. Support has also gone to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to "finding treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders."

5. Baldwin Has Supported Other Causes, Too

Baldwin, initially a political science major at George Washington University, is also active in politics, though he recently decided not to run for mayor of New York. On the philanthropic end, Baldwin has been supportive of human rights outfits with recent money going to places like Southern Poverty Law Center, RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights, Death Penalty Focus, and People for the American Way, which "conducts research, legal, education, and advocacy for a wide variety of liberal causes." Large sums have also gone to local outfits in Long Island, such as Long Island Community Center, Southampton Center, and The East Hampton Library, which received a $1 million gift in 2014.

Money has also gone towards historic preservation—Baldwin supports the American Agora Foundation, a "not-for-profit foundation dedicated to fostering an interest in and developing an acquaintance with history." 

As you can see, Baldwin has interests in many funding areas, and should be watched for greater giving down the line.

Related: Alec Baldwin Profile