BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- The Hollywood Foreign Press Association presented a record $1 million to film schools and non-profit organizations at a gala in Beverly Hills.
Wednesday's event featured appearances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Jim Carrey, Natalie Portman and Raquel Welch.
The $1 million was the largest single-year endowment ever contributed by the association, which sponsors the annual Golden Globe Awards. Over the past 10 years, the HFPA has donated more than $4.5 million in financial grants.
DiCaprio accepted a grant on behalf of the Film Foundation Inc., which specializes in restoring and preserving classic films. Carrey announced grants to several institutions, including CalArts, UCLA, California State University, Northridge, and the North Carolina School of the Arts Foundation.
HFPA president Lorenzo Soria said the grants are possible because of the organization's annual Golden Globe Awards.
"The Golden Globes is our fund-raising night in which we celebrate artistic achievements," he said. "This luncheon is a great opportunity for us to give back to the community."
The 62nd annual Golden Globe Awards will be presented on Jan. 16 in ceremonies carried live by NBC.
