philanthropy

American  

[fi-lan-thruh-pee] / fɪˈlæn θrə pi /

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.

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philanthropy British  

/ ˈfɪlənˌθrəʊp, fɪˈlænθrəpɪ /

noun

1. the practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions

2. love of mankind in general

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Other Word Forms

• philanthropist noun

Etymology

Origin of philanthropy

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

Explanation

If you donate money to a charity or volunteer to help people in need, you can call your good deeds philanthropy. Philanthropy is made up of two parts — Greek phil, "loving" and anthrop, "mankind." It refers to the desire to help people or the actual deeds a person does to benefit mankind. Philanthropy most often refers to the large amounts of money the wealthy donate to causes such as world hunger or organizations like museums or animal shelters. A private organization that promotes the welfare of people can also be called a philanthropy.

Example Sentences

“This is a great, great example of what can be achieved when government and philanthropy work hand in hand for the public good,” Ressler said before thanking Govan for “taking bold risks.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Netflix said Hastings has decided not stand for re-election to its board so he can focus on philanthropy and other pursuits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The streaming giant’s chairman and co-founder has decided not to stand for re-election, so he can focus on philanthropy and other pursuits, Netflix said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The Times Higher Education website claimed recently that philanthropy to elite UK universities is in decline.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Working for the Soros Foundation, a privately funded philanthropy organization, Goldfarb had been focusing on a very specific health crisis—a hundred thousand inmates in Russian prisons with active TB.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• charity
• generosity