Maria Shriver

My Causes

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  After-School All-Stars

  After-School All-Stars is the largest national organization solely focused on providing school-based after-school and summer programs for low-income, at-risk youth. Founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1992, ASAS now serves over 81,404 children annually at 453 school sites across the US. ASAS programs combine academic support, engaging enrichment activities, and health and fitness programs to improve students’ overall performance.

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  Alzheimer’s Association

  The Alzheimer's Association is the leading global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer research. It is also the beneficiary of Maria Shriver's March on Alzheimer's in October 2010.

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  Alzheimer’s Project

  An Emmy-award winning, groundbreaking four-part documentary series on HBO, the Alzheimer's Project examines the disease's impact on patients and families, as well as cutting-edge research. Maria served as Executive Producer.

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  Best Buddies

  Created by Anthony Shriver, this nonprofit is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Maria serves as Chair of the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, an annual bike ride that raises millions of dollars for the cause.

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  The California Museum

  Reconceived by Maria when she became First Lady of California, this museum creates a unique learning space where children, adults, and visitors from around the globe can be inspired by California's rich history and stories of its innovative people.

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  California Volunteers

  As Honorary Chair, Maria launched the largest statewide volunteer matching network on CaliforniaVolunteers.org, the website for the state office that manages programs and initiatives aimed at increasing the number of Californians engaged in service and volunteering.

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  KaBOOM!

  A national nonprofit dedicated to saving play for America's children with a mission to create great play spaces through the participation and leadership of communities, KaBOOM! partnered with Maria and California Volunteers to build 31 playgrounds with gardens in lower-income communities throughout California.

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  Kiva

  The world's first person-to-person microlending website created to empower individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the globe, Kiva's domestic lending services were launched in 2009 with the support and leadership of Maria and WE Invest.

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  Lovin' Scoopful

  Co-founded by Maria and her brother, Tim, this ice cream brand donates 25% of its post tax profits ($50,000 minimum annually) to Special Olympics and other charities.

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  Modern House Call for Women

  This groundbreaking event in October of 2010 offered comprehensive health, wellness and financial services at no charge to uninsured, underinsured, and unemployed women. Over 4000 free medical, dental, vision and wellness services were made available to thousands of women, without cost to the patient, taxpayer or government. The event included educational exhibits and counseling services provided by non-profit organizations and government agencies to encourage healthy lifestyles and preventive care.

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  Project360

  Co-founded by Maria's son Patrick Schwarzenegger, Nick Sheinberg and Kimberly Barth, this line of apparel and accessories generates social awareness for important global issues and profits that benefit reputable charities.

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  (RED)

  Co-founded by Bobby Shriver and Bono, (RED) works with the world's most iconic brands to make unique (RED) products, giving up to 50 percent of their profits to the Global Fund to invest in HIV and AIDS programs in Africa.

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  Save the Children

  The leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world, Save the Children's Vice President and Managing Director of U.S. Programs is Mark Shriver.

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  Special Olympics

  Created by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, this global nonprofit organization offers athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their accomplishments. Tim Shriver is Special Olympics' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

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  Team Maria

  Led by former First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, TEAM MARIA rides in The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle to raise awareness and support for Best Buddies International.

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  The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law

  Founded by Sargent Shriver in 1967, The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law functions as a hub for communications, research, and advocacy to help lawyers more efficiently and effectively share information, ideas, and strategies to ensure the opportunity for low-income clients to participate in the justice system. The Shriver Center provides national leadership in identifying, developing, and supporting creative and collaborative approaches to achieve social and economic justice for low-income people and communities. Its advocacy niche is the nexus between federal policy and state implementation.

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  VIDA

  Created in 2009 by Maria's daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger, VIDA bags raise awareness and funds to end maternal mortality, a commonly overlooked and rapidly growing problem worldwide.