# philanthropy

/fɪˈɫænθɹəpi/ (US) · /fɪlˈænθɹəpi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/philanthropy
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. charitable giving

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of giving away money or help to improve the lives of others.

For teachers: benevolent altruism intended to increase the well-being of humankind, often through significant financial contributions.

- The billionaire is famous for his philanthropy, giving millions to schools and hospitals.
- Modern philanthropy has shifted toward strategic giving, where donors seek to address the root causes of social inequality rather than just providing immediate relief.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general practice or spirit of giving.

### 2. a specific act or organization

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a specific act of helping others or a foundation that gives money to good causes.

For teachers: a specific philanthropic act or a charitable foundation established for the public good.

- Her many philanthropies include a foundation that protects the local forest.
- The family's various philanthropies are managed by a board of trustees who oversee the distribution of annual grants.

Usage: Countable in this sense; often used in the plural to describe multiple projects or organizations.

## Examples

- Her philanthropy helped build three new hospitals.
- The billionaire dedicated the latter half of his life to philanthropy, focusing specifically on global health initiatives.
- While some critics view corporate philanthropy as a mere public relations strategy, others argue that these massive private investments are essential for addressing systemic poverty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.