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.

---

philanthropy British  

/ ˈfɪlənˌθrəʊp, fɪˈlænθrəpɪ /

noun

1. the practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions

2. love of mankind in general

---

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”; phil-, anthropo-, -y ³

Example Sentences

Arthur, who is involved in philanthropy and serves on the board of directors for the San Diego Symphony, will turn 60 just a few days after the Kentucky Derby.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Foundation, an Oakland philanthropy started by the Currys.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

His philanthropy included donations to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, according to his website.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

The program is also supported by corporate philanthropy from Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Visa, Gap and others.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

“What your wife is doing is neither good nor bad. Saints can spring from any soil. Maybe with this money she would do some fine thing. There’s no springboard to philanthropy like a bad conscience.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• charity
• generosity