Difference between revisions of "Philanthropy" - New World Encyclopedia

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==Notable Philanthropists==
 
==Notable Philanthropists==
* [[Jane Addams]] -  
+
* [[Jane Addams]] - known as the "mother of social work;" fought for changes in child labor and working conditions laws
* [[Paul Allen]] -  
+
* [[Paul Allen]] - co-founder of Microsoft; gives $30 million dollars in grants annually through the Allen Foundation
* [[Richard Branson|Sir Richard Branson]] -  
+
* [[Richard Branson|Sir Richard Branson]] - patron of the International Rescue Corps
 
* [[Warren Buffet]] - pledged 30.7 billion dollars worth of [[Berkshire Hathaway]] stock to the [[Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation#The Warren Buffet donation|Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation]].
 
* [[Warren Buffet]] - pledged 30.7 billion dollars worth of [[Berkshire Hathaway]] stock to the [[Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation#The Warren Buffet donation|Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation]].
 
* [[Nicholas M. Butler|Nicholas Murray Butler]] - president of the [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] from 1925 to 1945.
 
* [[Nicholas M. Butler|Nicholas Murray Butler]] - president of the [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] from 1925 to 1945.
* [[George Cadbury]] -  
+
* [[George Cadbury]] - helped establish Birmingham Civic Society, fought for workers' rights
 
* [[Andrew Carnegie]] - Donated money to build over 2500 libraries world-wide. Founder of the [[Carnegie Foundation]] and the [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]].
 
* [[Andrew Carnegie]] - Donated money to build over 2500 libraries world-wide. Founder of the [[Carnegie Foundation]] and the [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]].
* [[Bill Clinton]] -
+
* [[Bill Cosby]] - winner of the Bob Hope Humanitarian award for his work in education
* [[Bill Cosby]] -  
+
* [[James H. Dooley]] - gave funds for the construction of the Virginia Commonwealth University hospital (Dooley Hospital)
* [[Charles Dickens]] -
 
* [[James H. Dooley]] -  
 
 
* [[Anthony Joseph Drexel I|Anthony J. Drexel]] - founder of [[Drexel University]]
 
* [[Anthony Joseph Drexel I|Anthony J. Drexel]] - founder of [[Drexel University]]
 
* [[Edsel Ford]] - co-founder of the [[Ford Foundation]].
 
* [[Edsel Ford]] - co-founder of the [[Ford Foundation]].
 
* [[Henry Ford]] - co-founder of the [[Ford Foundation]].
 
* [[Henry Ford]] - co-founder of the [[Ford Foundation]].
* [[Benjamin Franklin]] -  
+
* [[Benjamin Franklin]] - founder of the first public library
 
* [[Bill Gates]] - co-founder of the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]]
 
* [[Bill Gates]] - co-founder of the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]]
 
* [[Melinda Gates]] - co-founder of the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]]
 
* [[Melinda Gates]] - co-founder of the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]]
* [[David Geffen]] -  
+
* [[David Geffen]] - supports AIDS and other medical research; pledged $200 million to the UCLA Medical School
 
* [[J. Paul Getty]] - funded the construction of the [[Getty Villa]], the original Getty Museum, and donated his art collection to it.  Upon his death, left his fortune to the Getty Museum, which eventually expanded to the [[Getty Center]] in Los Angeles.
 
* [[J. Paul Getty]] - funded the construction of the [[Getty Villa]], the original Getty Museum, and donated his art collection to it.  Upon his death, left his fortune to the Getty Museum, which eventually expanded to the [[Getty Center]] in Los Angeles.
* [[Rafik Hariri|Rafic Hariri]] -
+
* [[Milton S. Hershey|Milton Hershey]] - gave $50 million to establish the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA
* [[Milton S. Hershey|Milton Hershey]] -  
 
 
* [[Catherine T. MacArthur]] - co-founder of the [[MacArthur Foundation]].
 
* [[Catherine T. MacArthur]] - co-founder of the [[MacArthur Foundation]].
 
* [[John D. MacArthur]] - co-founder of the [[MacArthur Foundation]].
 
* [[John D. MacArthur]] - co-founder of the [[MacArthur Foundation]].
 
* [[Paul Mellon]] - major benefactor of arts and education, and co-founder of the [[Andrew W. Mellon Foundation]].
 
* [[Paul Mellon]] - major benefactor of arts and education, and co-founder of the [[Andrew W. Mellon Foundation]].
 
* [[Ailsa Mellon-Bruce]] - co-founder of the [[Andrew W. Mellon Foundation]].
 
* [[Ailsa Mellon-Bruce]] - co-founder of the [[Andrew W. Mellon Foundation]].
* [[Paul Newman]] -  
+
* [[Paul Newman]] - founded Newman's Own brand of food products, which donates all proceeds to charities
* [[George Peabody]] -  
+
* [[George Peabody]] - supporter of the arts; donated over $8 million in his lifetime to various Peabody Institutes
 
* [[Linus Pauling]] - donated time and effort and spent personal funds to bring about the worldwide ban on above ground nuclear weapons testing.
 
* [[Linus Pauling]] - donated time and effort and spent personal funds to bring about the worldwide ban on above ground nuclear weapons testing.
 
* [[Charles Pratt]] - founder of [[Pratt Institute]]
 
* [[Charles Pratt]] - founder of [[Pratt Institute]]
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* [[John D. Rockefeller, Jr.|John D. Rockefeller Jr.]] - dramatically expanded the [[Rockefeller Foundation]] and [[Rockefeller University]].  He also bought and then donated the land in Manhattan upon which the United Nations headquarters was built.
 
* [[John D. Rockefeller, Jr.|John D. Rockefeller Jr.]] - dramatically expanded the [[Rockefeller Foundation]] and [[Rockefeller University]].  He also bought and then donated the land in Manhattan upon which the United Nations headquarters was built.
 
* [[John D. Rockefeller 3rd]] - major third-generation Rockefeller philanthropist and founder of the [[Asia Society]] (1956), the [[Population Council]] (1952) and a reconstituted [[Japan Society]], he was chairman of the [[Rockefeller Foundation]] for twenty years. He established the [[Rockefeller Public Service Awards]] in 1958. Among his many other achievements, he was the driving force behind the construction of the landmark [[Lincoln Center]], built between 1959 and 1966, in New York City.
 
* [[John D. Rockefeller 3rd]] - major third-generation Rockefeller philanthropist and founder of the [[Asia Society]] (1956), the [[Population Council]] (1952) and a reconstituted [[Japan Society]], he was chairman of the [[Rockefeller Foundation]] for twenty years. He established the [[Rockefeller Public Service Awards]] in 1958. Among his many other achievements, he was the driving force behind the construction of the landmark [[Lincoln Center]], built between 1959 and 1966, in New York City.
* [[Nelson Rockefeller]] -  
+
* [[Winthrop Rockefeller]] - provided funding for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, which pays for major projects around the state of Arkansas
* [[Winthrop Rockefeller]] -
+
* Sir [[Run Run Shaw]] - established the Shaw Prize for scientists working in mathematics, life & health sciences, and astronomy
* [[Saladin]] -
+
* [[George Soros]] - has given over $4 billion to causes such as Transparency International and combating [[Apartheid]]
* Sir [[Run Run Shaw]] -  
+
* [[Ted Turner]] - gave $1 billion to found the UN Foundation
* [[George Soros]] -  
 
* [[Richard Stallman]] -
 
* Sir [[Ivan Stedeford]] -
 
* [[Ted Turner]] -  
 
 
* [[Cornelius Vanderbilt]] - funded [[Vanderbilt University]].
 
* [[Cornelius Vanderbilt]] - funded [[Vanderbilt University]].
 
* [[William Henry Vanderbilt]] - cofounder of the [[Metropolitan Opera]].
 
* [[William Henry Vanderbilt]] - cofounder of the [[Metropolitan Opera]].
 
* [[Jimmy Wales]] - founder of the [[WikiMedia Foundation]].
 
* [[Jimmy Wales]] - founder of the [[WikiMedia Foundation]].
* [[Oprah Winfrey]] -
 
* [[Clara Winthrop]] -
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Revision as of 04:33, 18 October 2006


Philanthropy is the voluntary act of donating money or goods or providing some other support to a charitable cause, usually over an extended period of time. In a more fundamental sense, philanthropy may encompass any altruistic activity which is intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. Someone who is well known for practicing philanthropy may sometimes be called a philanthropist. Although such individuals are often very wealthy, people may nevertheless perform philanthropic acts without possessing great wealth.

Philanthropy is a major source of income for artistic, musical, religious, and humanitarian causes, as well as educational institutions ranging from schools to universities (see patronage).

Definition

By the conventional definition of philanthropy, donations are dedicated to a narrowly defined cause and the donation is targeted to make a recognizable change in social conditions. This often necessitates large donations and financial support sustained over time.

The need for a large financial commitment creates a distinction between philanthropy and charitable giving, which typically plays a supporting role in a charitable organization initiated by someone else. Thus, the conventional usage of philanthropy applies mainly to wealthy persons, and sometimes to a trust created by a wealthy person with a particular cause or objective targeted.

Many non-wealthy persons have dedicated – thus, donated – substantial portions of their time, effort and wealth to charitable causes. These people are not typically described as philanthropists because individual effort alone is seldom recognized as instigating significant change. These people are thought of as charitable workers but some people wish to recognize these people as philanthropists in honor of their efforts.

Philosophical views on philanthropy

Philanthropy is not always viewed as a universal good. Notable thinkers such as Friedrich Nietzsche and Ayn Rand opposed philanthropy on philosophical grounds, connecting it with the idea of the weak sponging off the strong, a view sometimes endorsed by those who oppose government welfare programs.

The purpose of philanthropy is also debated. Some equate philanthropy with benevolence and charity for the poor and needy. Others hold that philanthropy can be any altruistic giving towards any kind of social need that is not served by the market.

Some believe that philanthropy can be a means to build community by growing community funds and giving vehicles. When communities see themselves as being resource rich instead of asset poor, the community is in a better place to solve community problems.

Political views on philanthropy

Philanthropy is a private sector means of effecting social change without recourse to government mechanisms such as those represented by aid programs.

Governments are often supportive of philanthropic efforts. In many countries, those who donate money to a charity are given a tax break. Some governments are suspicious of philanthropic activities as possible grabs for favor (and votes/power in democracies) of portions of the population by non-governmental organizations.

Social activism and philanthropy

Social activists frequently criticize philanthrophic contributions by corporations whom activists consider "suspect". An example is the Harvard, Exxon, and South Africa case. Harvard University divested itself of Exxon stock after pressure and accusations that Exxon's doing business in South Africa contributed to apartheid. But when asked if they still wanted to receive philanthropic contributions from Exxon, Harvard said "yes". Some considered this morally inconsistent, others would consider it a warranted penance. If Harvard remained a stockholder, it could have voted to stop operations in the country. Instead, it sold the stock in protest. Exxon did in fact stop doing business in South Africa, as did other companies like Xerox, thereby costing employees their jobs and South Africa several contributors to a healthy economy. On the other hand, the international embargo against South Africa finally forced the white minority to grant political and human rights to its black and coloured citizens.

Notable Philanthropists

  • Jane Addams - known as the "mother of social work;" fought for changes in child labor and working conditions laws
  • Paul Allen - co-founder of Microsoft; gives $30 million dollars in grants annually through the Allen Foundation
  • Sir Richard Branson - patron of the International Rescue Corps
  • Warren Buffet - pledged 30.7 billion dollars worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • Nicholas Murray Butler - president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 1925 to 1945.
  • George Cadbury - helped establish Birmingham Civic Society, fought for workers' rights
  • Andrew Carnegie - Donated money to build over 2500 libraries world-wide. Founder of the Carnegie Foundation and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
  • Bill Cosby - winner of the Bob Hope Humanitarian award for his work in education
  • James H. Dooley - gave funds for the construction of the Virginia Commonwealth University hospital (Dooley Hospital)
  • Anthony J. Drexel - founder of Drexel University
  • Edsel Ford - co-founder of the Ford Foundation.
  • Henry Ford - co-founder of the Ford Foundation.
  • Benjamin Franklin - founder of the first public library
  • Bill Gates - co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Melinda Gates - co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • David Geffen - supports AIDS and other medical research; pledged $200 million to the UCLA Medical School
  • J. Paul Getty - funded the construction of the Getty Villa, the original Getty Museum, and donated his art collection to it. Upon his death, left his fortune to the Getty Museum, which eventually expanded to the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
  • Milton Hershey - gave $50 million to establish the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA
  • Catherine T. MacArthur - co-founder of the MacArthur Foundation.
  • John D. MacArthur - co-founder of the MacArthur Foundation.
  • Paul Mellon - major benefactor of arts and education, and co-founder of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
  • Ailsa Mellon-Bruce - co-founder of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
  • Paul Newman - founded Newman's Own brand of food products, which donates all proceeds to charities
  • George Peabody - supporter of the arts; donated over $8 million in his lifetime to various Peabody Institutes
  • Linus Pauling - donated time and effort and spent personal funds to bring about the worldwide ban on above ground nuclear weapons testing.
  • Charles Pratt - founder of Pratt Institute
  • John D. Rockefeller - founder of the Rockefeller Foundation and Rockefeller University.
  • John D. Rockefeller Jr. - dramatically expanded the Rockefeller Foundation and Rockefeller University. He also bought and then donated the land in Manhattan upon which the United Nations headquarters was built.
  • John D. Rockefeller 3rd - major third-generation Rockefeller philanthropist and founder of the Asia Society (1956), the Population Council (1952) and a reconstituted Japan Society, he was chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation for twenty years. He established the Rockefeller Public Service Awards in 1958. Among his many other achievements, he was the driving force behind the construction of the landmark Lincoln Center, built between 1959 and 1966, in New York City.
  • Winthrop Rockefeller - provided funding for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, which pays for major projects around the state of Arkansas
  • Sir Run Run Shaw - established the Shaw Prize for scientists working in mathematics, life & health sciences, and astronomy
  • George Soros - has given over $4 billion to causes such as Transparency International and combating Apartheid
  • Ted Turner - gave $1 billion to found the UN Foundation
  • Cornelius Vanderbilt - funded Vanderbilt University.
  • William Henry Vanderbilt - cofounder of the Metropolitan Opera.
  • Jimmy Wales - founder of the WikiMedia Foundation.

External links


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