Philanthropy: meaning, definitions and examples

Philanthropy refers to the act of donating money, goods, services, or time to help make life better for other people. It often involves large-scale initiatives, usually by wealthy individuals or organizations, aimed at solving societal problems or supporting various causes over a long term.

• Her family's philanthropy has funded hospitals and schools around the world.
• The tech entrepreneur's philanthropy focuses on global health and education.

Charity involves giving to others in need, often through donations of money, food, or clothing. It typically refers to immediate assistance to help the less fortunate or to support a specific cause, and is often associated with non-profit organizations.

• We donated clothes and food to the charity helping disaster victims.
• Her annual charity event raises funds for local shelters.

Generosity is the quality of being willing to give more than is necessary or expected. It can involve giving money, efforts, or time to help others, and can be a trait shown in both small, personal contexts as well as larger ones.

• She showed incredible generosity by lending him money for college.
• His generosity made him beloved by all his friends and family.

Benevolence denotes an inclination to be kind and to do good deeds. It's a general term for acts of kindness and goodwill, often driven by a genuine desire to help others without expecting anything in return.

• His benevolence towards the homeless is well-known in the community.
• She received an award for her benevolence in organizing free community events.