as in donors
a wealthy person who gives money and time to help make life better for other people
a philanthropist known to generously donate to those organizations that help the poor
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Recent Examples of philanthropists
All of us—policymakers, philanthropists, and citizens—must insist that humanitarian principles are upheld even in the most challenging contexts.
—
Trickleup, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Public media leaders are also working with a group of philanthropists led by the Knight and MacArthur foundations that is hoping to raise some $50 million to support stations in areas hardest hit be the cuts.
—David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Nonprofits and philanthropists are also working to blunt the impact.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025
Africa's philanthropists and foundations have expansive networks, enabling them to coordinate fragmented efforts of partners operating in a post-ODA landscape, as well as build trust with local organizations and communities that has been broken by the faltering international aid system.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Behind every donation that philanthropists Sandra and Malcolm Berman have made over the years, there is a story.
—Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2025
Early results were promising, and philanthropists were impressed.
—Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025
Given the need for constant fundraising ever since, philanthropists have dominated its board.
—Joanna Dee Das, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Phil Knight is no stranger to giving back — and the Nike co-founder’s latest move cements his status as one of the most powerful philanthropists in the world.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Trickleup, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Public media leaders are also working with a group of philanthropists led by the Knight and MacArthur foundations that is hoping to raise some $50 million to support stations in areas hardest hit be the cuts.
—David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Nonprofits and philanthropists are also working to blunt the impact.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025
Africa's philanthropists and foundations have expansive networks, enabling them to coordinate fragmented efforts of partners operating in a post-ODA landscape, as well as build trust with local organizations and communities that has been broken by the faltering international aid system.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Behind every donation that philanthropists Sandra and Malcolm Berman have made over the years, there is a story.
—Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2025
Early results were promising, and philanthropists were impressed.
—Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025
Given the need for constant fundraising ever since, philanthropists have dominated its board.
—Joanna Dee Das, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Phil Knight is no stranger to giving back — and the Nike co-founder’s latest move cements his status as one of the most powerful philanthropists in the world.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropists
Noun
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This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, including Khalid and Diana Mirza, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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During the 2024 election cycle, Kirk publicly criticized the leadership of former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel and called on his donors to stop giving to the national party.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Occasionally, museums will work with benefactors to put up bids for their collections.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
2 Sep. 2025
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The industry is already seeing certain countries become huge benefactors of brands shifting production from one country to another.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Philanthropists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philanthropists. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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