Prison Reform Governor's Meeting
Robert met with the Governor of California (and movie star), Arnold Schwarzenegger, in March 2011 to discuss ideas to help parolees re-connect with society. The photo was posted on Arnold's Twitter page.



Children's Center for Cancer
Robert visited with the children at Stephen D. Hassenfeld Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders NYU Langone Medical Center in New York on April 29, 2010. He stayed for over an hour and made sure each child got a photo taken with him, an autograph, and personal interaction. It was suggested that he'd pose for a group photo with the staff but Robert preferred - to their delight and surprise - to do individual photos with each one.


Prison Reform State Capital Meeting
On January 21, 2010, Robert and The California Endomwent's Senior Vice President Daniel Zingale visited the state capital and met with State Senators Mark Leno and Abel Maldanado, Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico and key governor's staff - all important players in the area of prison reform and re-entry. Prison reform continues to be a major issue in California. Due to state budget shortfalls, funding for prisoner re-entry and rehabilitation programs is scarce. Re-entry and rehabilitation programs are key to keeping prisoner recidivism rates down.



Grammy MusicCares Program
Robert donated his belt that was made into a leather Nixon Dictator watch to benifit the Grammy Awards MusiCares program. MusiCares provides safety for music people in times of need and focuses on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. The watch was auctioned on eBay in May 2009 and sold for $280.



Parkinson Society Maritime Region
Robert and other celebrities designed and signed plates to benefit the Parkinson Society. Parkinson Society's purpose is to ease the burden and find a cure through support services, education, advocacy and research. The plate was auctioned on eBay in May 2009 and sold for $635.55.

Clothes Off Our Back Foundation
Robert donated his John Varvatos sunglasses that he wore at the Golden Globe Awards 2009 to a Clothes Off Our Back Foundation online auction. Proceeds went to charities such as Feeding America, The Art of Elysium, Hope North and H.E.L.P. Malawi. The auction ended on March 10, 2009, with the winning bid of $450.

Environmental Education
In September 2008, Robert donated 'himself' in an online auction on Charitybuzz benefitting Jayni and Chevy Chase's Center for Environmental Education. The winner got to spend time on the set of "Iron Man 2" and also meet with Robert. Downey fan, Rocky, won the auction (winning bid undisclosed). The set visit took place on May 1, 2009. 




Robert and Susan attended the Hullabaloo Benefit in May 2007. The event was held at The Music Box at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood. The Hullabaloo Benefit is created by Flea, bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Keith Barry, and raises funds for the nonprofit Silverlake Conservatory of Music (SCM). It also provides scholarships to low-income students who would otherwise not be able to afford instruments and/or lessons as well as to expand the school's summer camp program.



Parkinson Society Maritime Region
Robert and other celebrities designed and signed plates to benefit the Parkinson Society. Parkinson Society's purpose is to ease the burden and find a cure through support services, education, advocacy and research. The plate was auctioned on eBay in April 2007 and sold for $279.00.



Grammy MusicCares Program
Robert signed a Gibson electric guitar and an Epiphone acoustic guitar for the Grammy Awards MusiCares program in February 2007. MusiCares provides safety for music people in times of need and focuses on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. Their services cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies. Both guitars were auctioned on eBay in 2007. The Gibson guitar was sold in April for $2,000. The Epiphone guitar was sold in August for $1,050.



Clothes Off Our Back Foundation
While attending the Sundance Film Festival in January 2006, Robert and more than 40 other celebrities stopped by the Frigidaire Glacier Lounge to autograph and donate winter attire for an online charity auction for the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation (founded by actors Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford). Proceeds from Robert's signed Spider jacket was to benefit Cure Autism Now, Half the Sky and UNICEF's work in Darfur. The auction ended on March 31 with the winning bid of $460.



Smashbox Toy Drive - "Babes in Toyland"
On December 15, 2005, Robert and Susan, Donovan Leitch, Kirsty Hume, Ivan Kane, Champagne Suzy, Jennifer Nicholson, Jeremy Scott and Brent Bolthouse hosted Smashbox Cosmetics’ first annual Toy Drive. Proceeds went to The Culver City Fire Department, whose annual toy drive brings holiday cheer to needy kids in Los Angeles. All guests brought new, unwrapped toys to the gathering.

Celebrity Chair Auction 2005
Robert and Val Kilmer signed chairs to be auctioned out at the 16th Annual Celebrity Chair Auction which raises money for several charities. The event was held in the grand ballroom of the Hilton Chicago on November 30. Jay Leno, Andy Griffith, Kirstie Alley, Kirk Douglas, Tori Amos, Margaret Truman and Chelsea Clinton were among the celebrities who signed chairs for this auction. Robert's and Val's chairs fetched $200.



Jeans for Genes - "Stars in their Jeans"
Robert signed a pair of his jeans and donated them to the Jeans for Genes Art Auction. The event was held in Sydney Town Hall in Australia on July 21, 2005. Proceeds went to Children’s Medical Research Institute where scientists are trying to develop better treatments for diseases such as leukaemia and cystic fibrosis. Other celebrities who donated their jeans were Jane Fonda, Shirley MacLaine, Hilary Swank, Jennifer Lopez, Kevin Kostner, Kate Hudson, Matthew Broderick, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Julianne Moore, Brooke Shields, Anjelica Huston, David Hasselhoff, Kerry Armstrong, Steve Irwin, and Geoffrey Rush. The artwork on Robert's jeans was made by Australian artist Robert Mangelsdorf. They were sold for $6,000.



Jazz at Lincoln Center Fundraiser
Robert performed at a fundraiser called "That's Entertainment" at the Jazz at Lincoln Center's 4th Annual Spring Gala on June 6, 2005. The event was held at the Apollo Theatre in New York. Proceeds went to Jazz at Lincoln Center's education program. Robert sang (according to press) Smile and Kimberly Glide from "The Futurist" album, accompanied by Wynton Marsalis and his band.



Tsunami Aid "A Concert of Hope"
On December 26, 2004, a tsunami disaster hit South Asia. Over 200.000 were killed and countless got their homes and livelihoods destroyed. In aid, A-list celebrities joined a two hour live NBC Universal benefit broadcast on January 15, 2005, where viewers were encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross. George Clooney was the main organizer. Robert appeared asking for money to help buy basic supplies. He was also answering phonecalls from donating viewers.



"The Visionnaires Collection" Benefit
In January 2005, Sama Eyewear announced that they had gotten together with a group of Hollywood stars to combat drug addiction. "The Visionnaires Collection" eyewear had been created especially to benefit the Sam Vance Friendly House, a non-profit organization that assists young adults and teens to overcome drug-dependencies, and to Friendly House recovery center for women in L.A.. Each frame from the collection was individually selected by celebrities who supported the cause: Robert Downey Jr. Amber Valetta, Dave Navarro, Carmen Electra, Mischa Barton, and Eve. Quote: "Robert Downey Jr., who has been sporting Sama frames exclusively for years, will now be seen sporting the 2007 style, an updated take on his trademark plastic rectangular style."



McDonald's World Children's Day
In support of World Children's Day at McDonald's, Robert and other celebrities donated autographed ink handprints to be auctioned on eBay on November 10, 2004. The auction was part of a month-long worldwide fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and other children's causes. The handprints were framed in black box-frames and accompanied by letters of authenticity. Robert's handprint was sold for $405.


Youth I.N.C. Celebrity Basketball 2003
On October 26, Robert attended the Youth I.N.C. Net Gain Celebrity Basketball Game at Crossroads High School in Santa Monica. Youth, I.N.C. is a non-profit organization network whos goals are to improve the lives of America’s youth. Their Net Gain program benefits schools without basketball facilities. A part of their program is that 28 boys and girls teams at 16 schools are provided with enough court time at BasketBall City to hold basketball practice and host the home games required for participation in the Public School Athletic League. On the photo, Robert is posing with basketball player Kareem Abdul Jabaar.



Chrysalis' Butterfly Ball Fundraiser
On March 20, 2003, Vanity Fair and Guess? hosted an annual fundraiser, Chrysalis' Butterfly Ball, in Bel Air to benefit Chrysalis - a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals become self-sufficient through employment opportunities in L.A. During the evening models showed celebrity designed Guess? denim jackets. Robert were among those who had designed a jacket and the inside also contained several signatures: three by Robert, one by Deborah Falconer and another by their son, Indio. The jackets were put up for auction on E-bay and on June 23 Robert's jacket was sold for $745.00, which was by FAR the highest price compared to the other celebrity jackets. The winner was the co-owner of the now closed Downey Unlimited fan site, Susan from The Netherlands.



Hope and Cope Fundraiser
While in Montreal filming "Gothika", Robert volunteered to slice smoked meat for guests who attended the Denim and Diamonds Fundraiser for Hope and Cope at the Medley bar on May 3, 2003. Hope and Cope is a privately funded organization, operating out of the Jewish General Hospital, which provides support to cancer patients and their families. The event raised around $70,000.

Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation
Robert donated an autographed baseball cap for a fund-raising event on April 9, 2003, to help the Oncology Ward at The Montreal Children's Hospital and the new Young Adult Treatment Center at Royal Victoria Hospital. More than 170 hats were displayed at Ogilvy's Tudor Hall in Montreal. Autographed hats were donated by Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Matt Damon, Courney Cox, Dan Ackroyd, Rosie O'Donell, and Tom Cruise, among others. The Sarah Cook Fund of the Cedars Cancer Institute for Children organized the display. $82,000 was raised. The package with Robert's cap brought in the highest bid ($2,100) and included an autographed hat from Halle Berry and a visit on the set of "Gothika".



Musician's Assistance Program (MAP)
Robert hosted the Annual MAP Fundraiser Awards at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, November 7, 2002. MAP was founded in 1992 to help musicians in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. Performers were Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots), Jimmy Vaughan, The Neville Brothers, Deborah Falconer, Dr. John, Daniel Lanois, Gary LeMel, and Martyn LeNoble. Cameras were not allowed inside to not disrupt the relaxed atmosphere, but the event was covered by many entertainment channels with pre-show footage. Robert also gave a few interviews. Quote from E: "He was wonderful, it was absolutely great. He was hysterical, he was funny, very candid."



Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF)
Banana Republic and Vanity Fair threw a party in celebration of the classic white shirt. Robert and other celebrities were invited to autograph Banana Republic white shirts, which were sold for $150 each a week later on August 13, 2002. The proceeds of the sale went to charity, administrated by the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF).



Christie's Auction House Benefit
On December 6, 2001, Robert attended a charity auction for Tibet House at Christie's Auction House in New York City with Kristy Bauer-Jordan and Trudie Styler. Tibet House is focusing on a special concern for Tibet, its people, spectacular highlands and its civilization.



Hollywood-Sunset Free Clinic Benefit
Robert is a spokesperson for the Hollywood-Sunset Free Clinic. This health clinic has offered free health care for Los Angeles residents since 1968, and has long been considered an important part of a working-class community that counts more than 73% of its residents living below the poverty line. In 2000, the clinic provided over 87,475 free patient visits. No one is ever turned away for lack of funds. Working with minimal public funding, a handful of dedicated doctors, a small core staff and the generosity of loyal volunteers, the Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic manages to provide health-care services for children and adults.
November 4, 2000, Paramour Estate, Silver Lake, Los Angeles.
Beck, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis, Aimee Mann, plus a slew of Hollywood stars made appearances. Beck and Mann each performed at the event. Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright and actress Minnie Driver also played, while fellow actors joining the affair included Ione Skye, and Christina Ricci.
December 13-15, 2001, Paramour Estate, Silver Lake, Los Angeles.
Robert hosted a three-day pop festival benefiting the Hollywood-Sunset Free Clinic, and he was also the one bringing his friends Elton John, Sting, and ex. wife Deborah Falconer to perform. He was very much involved in planning the whole event, and spent a lot of time on the phone and in meetings. Those who bought tickets were able to enjoy Robert on stage, both as host AND singing with Elton (I Want Love) and Sting (Every Breath You Take). Comment from organizer: "Robert was our spokesperson last year, and this year he came in as an avenging Angel. I'm overwhelmed by his generosity."



"Let's Face Diabetes" Campaign
Celebrities were given empty wooden frames to decorate, to help support the Let's Face Diabetes educational campaign. They were then donated to be auctioned on Ebay. Robert's frame was sold to an Australian fan for $2,025, August 26, 2001.



Cedar-Sinai Hospital Benefit
The fifth annual An Unforgettable Evening was held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills on March 27, 2001. The event was a fund raiser for Cedar-Sinai hospital's research for women's cancers. Robert and Sting contributed by performing together, singing Penny Lane and Every Breath You Take.



American Foundation for AIDS Research
Robert and then wife, Deborah Falconer, took the catwalk at Jean Paul Gaultier's fashion show in Los Angeles in September 1992. The show was to benefit research by The American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), USA's leading non-profit organization dedicated to the support of AIDS, AIDS prevention, treatment, education, and AIDS-related public policy.



AIDS Project Los Angeles
"Peek-A-Boo - A Collaboration of Hair" by Fumio Kawashima and Johnny Rozsa. Robert and friend, Donovan Leitch, were featured in a Japanese hair stylist book from 1993, along with other celebrities. A donation was made to AIDS Project Los Angeles on behalf of this project.



Political Awareness Documentary
In 1992 the political documentary "The Last Party" was filmed with Robert as host. By interviewing politicians and voters in the middle of the presidential campaigns, the goal was to awaken the political awareness and interest, especially among the young voters. No script was used, and Robert pretty much acted on instinct, which resulted in very interesting, spontanius, and down-to-earth interviews. He visited and talked to everybody, from high politicians to gang members, documented and joined in various demonstrations, etc. When presenting an award at the MTV Movie Awards in 1992, he promoted this project and encouraged the audience to show up and vote for the person they "distrusted the least."



Young Artists United
In the middle 1980's Robert and girlfriend, actress Sarah Jessica Parker, were active spokes people and chief supporters for an organisation called Young Artists United, founded by Daniel Sladek. According to him, Robert's contribution was vital; "He wasn't the kind of guy to serve on committees, but he went on those grueling voter-registration drives and acted as a spokesman whenever we called on him."

 

* This is not a complete list. It's simply the things we've heard about.