Moviemaker Tyler Perry has pledged an unprecedented $1 million donation to U.S. civil rights group the NAACP (The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).

Perry, 40, credits the organization with helping to carve a path for his own career as an African-American actor, writer and director.

His gift will be distributed over the next four years to help support advocacy programs on economic equality education, healthcare and criminal justice.

The filmmaker says, "I feel so honoured and blessed to be in a position where I can give. Had it not been for the perseverance and vision of the thousands who came before me in the 100 years of this legendary organization, I would not be in the position I am in today."