Philanthropy: Meaning and Actions

Study Notes

Philanthropy refers to benevolent actions motivated by charity, religion, cultural influences, and ethical convictions.
Key activities include donating money and assets, volunteering time and skills for no pay.
Philanthropy aims to address the root causes of issues while charity focuses on alleviating symptoms.
Philanthropy fosters a reciprocal relationship between givers and beneficiaries unlike charity.

Social Change Philanthropy: Aims to promote social change by addressing the root causes of social ills.
- This type of philanthropy often involves donating to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and supporting political or institutional change.
Charity Philanthropy: Focuses on reducing the immediate effects of problems, such as environmental disasters or suffering.
- Examples include donating to wildlife conservation or providing financial assistance to those in need.

Various actors participate in philanthropic activities, including:
- Donors: Individuals, corporations, foundations, and wealthy individuals who contribute funds, equipment, or assets.
- Volunteers: Individuals who contribute their time and skills without financial compensation.
- Super-rich: Individuals who donate significant sums of money, often with a considerable impact due to their large wealth.

Economic Incentives:
- Tax benefits, discounts, public recognition, reserved spaces at events, and building naming rights.
Psychological Benefits:
- Internal satisfaction, altruism, social rewards, self-image enhancement, values of social solidarity and responsibility.
Social Capital:
- Influence of network structures, social norms and sanctions, mutual obligations, trust, information diffusion, collaboration, and coordination.
Social Obligations:
- Influences from family, kinship, class, tribe, and formal schooling.
Peer Influence:
- Sense of belonging, peer pressure, social status, and moral obligations within communities and organizations.
Religious Motivations:
- Influenced by religious practices and beliefs; significant in Protestant, Jewish, and Catholic organizations.
Civic Engagement:
- Motivated by the desire to create solidarity within a society, form civic organizations, and advocate for social change.