What is philanthropy?

Greek playwright Aeschylus coined the term philanthropy in the 5th century BC. It meant “love of humanity.” Today, philanthropy is said to mean generosity in all its forms and is often defined as giving gifts of “time, talent, and treasure (money)” to help make life better for other people. A philanthropist is a person who donates time, money, experience, skills, or talent to help create a better world. Anyone can be a philanthropist, regardless of status or net worth.

Some famous philanthropists have included people like John D. Rockefeller, Warren Buffett, Mother Teresa, and Paul Farmer. They are known for their good works or because they gave away substantial sums of money to aid humanity.

The vast majority of philanthropists aren’t famous. Nearly 36 million American households itemized their 2017 giving for tax purposes. According to the most recent data available from the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), many people have provided personal services instead of or in addition to giving financial contributions. According to the study on volunteerism (issued by the NCCS), nearly 80 percent of Fidelity Charitable's donors volunteered in the year 2017. Among those volunteers, more than two-thirds (67 percent) gave 50 hours or more of their time.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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41 Comments

Kaveri Bharath

CHRIS FARQUHAR, it is true that her philanthropy want so philanthropic... Mother Teresa insisted on converting them to Christianity before "saving" them, and she did believe that their suffering was justified. She was very harsh to volunteers too. I live in India, and have heard horror stories of the living conditions of the lepers and portfolio at the Sisters of Mercy. That said, she was willing to physically care for the wounds and feed the poor and destitute, (for whatever reason), which is more than any of us have done. So appreciate that. Just don't think she was a saint!

William Laughlin

Melissa Brooks, Simply because Jacqueline Tattam's stance is unpleasant to hear doesn't make her wrong. While the number of missions was legion, they were woefully ill-equipped and offered little in the way of real relief to the ill and suffering. Mother Teresa's goal was not so much to lift these people out of their suffering, but to convince them that their suffering was good for them. How would you feel if you were ill, starving, or homeless and instead of receiving real medicine, food, or a better life, you were told to rejoice in your pain and suffering? Elevating her to sainthood also benefited the Church and was more of a public relations move than verification of an actual miracle worker. The miracle would have been to actually lift someone out of their misery.

ninakamwene

Got it. What a nobel way of caring for our planet in whatever capacity! Thank you to all of us that give our time, talents, or treasures. Good job humanoids!

William Laughlin

Norma Broadstock, You are confusing anthropology with philanthropy. The definition is correct as presented. The greek phil or philo means to love or the libe of. A francophile is one who loves all things French. Anthropology is the study of mankind. Ology is the greek suffix for the a field of study; in this case mankind from anthro.

billyboy915

Tom Seigo, Simply because someone disagrees with you doesn't necessarily make them a warped mind. Your aggressive comment over a simple disagreement says volumes about you, not the person to whom you direct it. Take a chill pill and do some research on your Mother Teresa. She wasn't what you seem to think of her. Her philosophy was not to help lift people out of their suffering and poverty, but to make them realize that their suffering was good for them. Tell me about a warped mind now!

billyboy915

Jacqueline Tattam, Thank you for helping to set the record straight. It seems people favor the romanticized fairy tale over reality. For many, unpleasant facts are instantly rejected and upon hearing them, they lash out at you, the messenger of unpleasant truths. The truth matters. Thank you for bearing the brunt of its presentation.

Albeck1994

CHRIS FARQUHAR, actually it's true she certainly did more harm than good and was no saint.

Albeck1994

Tom Seigo, andctiu need to learn history

Jacqueline Tattam

Melissa Brooks, not poor, not miserable and certainly not gullible!

William Laughlin

Tom Seigo, I will ask you to keep your opinions to yourself if all you have to offer are insulting remarks. You, sir, are being rude and judgmental. Simply because my or Jacqueline Tattam's stance is unpleasant to hear doesn't make us wrong. While the number of missions was legion, they were woefully ill-equipped and offered little in the way of real relief to the ill and suffering. Mother Teresa's goal was not so much to lift these people out of their suffering, but to convince them that their suffering was good for them. How would you feel if you were ill, starving, or homeless and instead of receiving real medicine, food, or a better life, you were told to rejoice in your pain and suffering? Elevating her to sainthood also benefited the Church and was more of a public relations move than verification of an actual miracle worker. The miracle would have been to actually lift someone out of their misery. To paraphrase billyboy915, It seems you favor the romanticized fairy tale over reality. For you, unpleasant facts are instantly rejected upon hearing them and you lash out at the messenger of unpleasant truths. The truth matters. You heard it and denied it. Shame on you, sir.

Ildi Tonkin

Norma Broadstock, philos means love not study- logos is the study of something.

gentryfire

Some of you make it really difficult to be philanthropic.

ronwellings

williamrlaughlin, You talk of the wrongs of being judgmental then act judgmental. Your "truth" is not everyone's truth. Your opinion is yours, others are entitled to theirs. Believing you are above others doesn't make you right or the all knowing. Shame on you sir.

ronwellings

AB, You're a prime example of why the world is not a better place. You're unempathetic, judgmental, name calling, narcissistic, negative behaviors see to that!

vasily tchaikovsky

I'm surprisinng about so cald 'd mother Teresa,what's her philantrothy? Mr Bill is right.Thaks Bill

Alberto Antonio Ortega Cruz

A very illustrative an interesting question Like

wordster

It could also be defined as people who have way too much money finding ways to get rid of it rather than pay taxes.

Diding Otico

Got it correct

Joanne Serin

Since the question is "what is philanthropy?", they should have given the origin of the word: phil=love, anthro = man (human).

Al Dales

Sounds a bit like ISIS coercing captives to convert to Islam before cutting off their heads, gang raping their wives and children before selling the survivors into slavery..... Kaveri Bharath,

Sue Gembrini-Spataro

Paul Newman, over a billion through Newmans Own Foods...and still giving long after his death. The woman ( wants to remain anonymous) who won the biggest Lotto in history a while back..hundreds of millions to charities and the latest flood victims.