Making The World A Better Place

Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation raises nearly $45 Million at Third Annual Auction Gala in Saint-tropez

Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation (LDF) hosted its third annual fundraising auction gala on 20 July 2016, raising nearly $45 million to support global environment impact programmes. These include inhabitants from climate change and the environmental crisis it created. The event took place in Saint Tropez and was graced by LDF Founder and Chairman Leonardo Dicaprio, LDF Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby, LDF Chief Executive Officer Terry Tamminen and LDF Executive Director Justin Winters, with additional generous support of Julius Baer and Chopard.

Opening the evening addressing society’s ability to solve the urgent environmental challenges facing our future, Mr. Dicaprio said, “while we are the first generation that has the technology, the scientific knowledge and the global will to build a truly sustainable economic future for all of humanity – we are the last generation that has a chance to stop climate change before it is too late.”

Part of the proceeds was donated to the recent tragedy event that took place in Nice, France and Mr. Dicaprio also made a personal donation, as did a number of guests in attendance. Mr. Dicaprio detailed recent progress on environmental conservation from the past year which includes the signing of the COP21 agreement in April, where he addressed the assembled body of world leaders at the UN. He has also recounted successful programmes LDF has supported alongside other esteemed partners that have yielded positive results such as the increased population of the first native tiger population and the first moratorium on new palm oil plantations in Indonesia.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was honoured with the foundation’s first “New World Leadership Award,” which recognizes the legacy of environmental conservation displayed by its recipient that will help the world flourish in new and sustainable ways. Event Chairs included Boris F.J. Collardi, CEO of Julius Baer, Philippe Cousteau, Jonah Hill, Kate Hudson, Tobey Maguire, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Caroline Scheufele and Kevin Spacey, Cate Blanchett, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Robert De Niro, Scarlett Johansson, and Charlize Theron.

Since 1998, LDF has given away over $59 million to fund environmental projects on every continent and in every ocean.