Philanthropy

Philanthropy involves the donation or granting of money to various worthy charitable causes. It is seen as a way to directly effect change in society without recourse to the bureaucratic mechanisms of government. Someone who practices philanthropy is known as a philanthropist. Philanthropy is a major source of income for artistic, musical, religious, and humanitarian causes and for universities.

Uses of the word

By the conventional definition of philanthropy, only a wealthy person can be a philanthropist. Many non-wealthy individuals have dedicated – thus, donated – their lives to charitable causes but have never been described as philanthropists.

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Robert L. Payton expanded the conventional defintion of philanthropy in his 1988 book "Philanthropy: Voluntary Action For the Public Good." The text of this book and many of his writings are available at PaytonPapers.

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In the 2004 book "Just Money - A Critique of Contemporary American Philanthropy" edited by H. Peter Karoff and published by TPI Editions, strategic philanthropy and the experience of major foundations is made relevant to every donor and would-be donor. See www.tpi.org

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