philanthropy

Philanthropy is defined as the act of doing charitable work, or an activity designed to improve human welfare.

(noun)

An example of philanthropy is giving money to charity and volunteering.
An example of philanthropy is donating canned goods to a food bank to help needy families in your community or donating toys to the Toys for Tots toy drive to provide Christmas presents to needy children.
An example of philanthropy is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation giving $1,158,280,084 to various causes in 2002, supporting efforts to enhance global health and improve the quality of education for children around the world.
An example of philanthropy is Warren Buffett contributing $31 billion of his own personal fortune to The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

See philanthropy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a desire to help mankind, esp. as shown by gifts to charitable or humanitarian institutions; benevolence
pl. philanthropies a philanthropic act, gift, institution, etc.

Origin: LL philanthropia < Gr philanthrōpia < philein, to love + anthrōpos, man: see anthropo-

See philanthropy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. phi·lan·thro·pies

The effort or inclination to increase the well-being of humankind, as by charitable aid or donations.
Love of humankind in general.
Something, such as an activity or institution, intended to promote human welfare.

Origin:

Origin: Late Latin philanthrōpia

Origin: , from Greek

Origin: , from philanthrōpos, humane, benevolent

Origin: : phil-, philo-, philo-

Origin: + anthrōpos, man, mankind

Related Forms: