Philanthropy: Meaning and Actions

Philanthropy: Meaning and Actions

• 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.

Types of Philanthropy

• 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.

Actors in Philanthropy

• 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.

Reasons for Philanthropy

• 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.