philanthropy

[fi-lan-thruh-pee]

noun

plural

philanthropies 

1. altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.

2. the activity of donating to such persons or purposes in this way.

   to devote one's later years to philanthropy.

3. a particular act, form, or instance of this activity.

   The art museum was their favorite philanthropy.

4. an organization devoted to helping needy persons or to other socially useful purposes.

philanthropy

/ ˈfɪlənˌθrəʊp, fɪˈlænθrəpɪ /

noun

1. the practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions

2. love of mankind in general

Other Word Forms

• philanthropist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of philanthropy¹

First recorded in 1600–10; earlier philanthropia, from Late Latin, from Greek philanthrōpía “benevolence, humane feeling”; phil-, anthropo-, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of philanthropy¹

C17: from Late Latin philanthrōpia, from Greek: love of mankind, from philos loving + anthrōpos man

Example Sentences

Her philanthropy is high-profile yet heartfelt, showing that giving back can be a central part of one’s public and personal identity.

Read more on Salon

Away from her philanthropy, Ms Ferguson has various business ventures, and has written several children's books, non-fiction about Queen Victoria, and her own memoirs.

Read more on BBC

State officials said funds for the purchase included $7.75 million from the Tribal Nature Based Solutions program, $2.4 million from the Wildlife Conservation Board and a “sizable amount” from private philanthropy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“We must start by challenging the faith that public policy, private philanthropy and the culture at large has placed in the market to accomplish humanitarian goals,” writes historian Lily Geismer.

Read more on Salon

“Across all her work, Priscilla pushes for equity and access, reimagining philanthropy to drive large-scale, inclusive change,” he said in an email.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• charity 
• generosity