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
The trust buys land in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, using private donations, often from large foundations, philanthropists, tech leaders and state agencies, and sells it at or below cost to agencies like the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.
—
Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
Many converted to Catholicism, including wealthy philanthropists.
—Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
The building was identified by the student newspaper Washington Square News as the Steinhardt building, named after Jewish philanthropists Michael and Judy Steinhardt.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
Babies born between 2025 and 2028 will be eligible for an initial $1,000 deposit from the Treasury Department, and a growing list of companies and philanthropists are pledging to match that deposit for certain qualifying families.
—Cj Haddad, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Some families want to become highly strategic philanthropists known for deep expertise and measurable impact in a specific area.
—Kris Putnam-Walkerly, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Shaun Seow, who heads the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA), has a theory on why the new generation of Asian philanthropists is more interested in fighting climate change.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 25 May 2026
At its peak, Parish Hadley’s clients included society and industry’s biggest names including philanthropists Brooke Astor and Enid Annenberg Haupt, William Paley, chairman of CBS, and members of the Bronfman, Getty, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Whitney families.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 22 May 2026
Baptist Health recently received another significant donation from philanthropists Al and Jane Nahmad, though hospital leaders declined to disclose the amount.
—Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
Many converted to Catholicism, including wealthy philanthropists.
—Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
The building was identified by the student newspaper Washington Square News as the Steinhardt building, named after Jewish philanthropists Michael and Judy Steinhardt.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
Babies born between 2025 and 2028 will be eligible for an initial $1,000 deposit from the Treasury Department, and a growing list of companies and philanthropists are pledging to match that deposit for certain qualifying families.
—Cj Haddad, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Some families want to become highly strategic philanthropists known for deep expertise and measurable impact in a specific area.
—Kris Putnam-Walkerly, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Shaun Seow, who heads the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA), has a theory on why the new generation of Asian philanthropists is more interested in fighting climate change.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 25 May 2026
At its peak, Parish Hadley’s clients included society and industry’s biggest names including philanthropists Brooke Astor and Enid Annenberg Haupt, William Paley, chairman of CBS, and members of the Bronfman, Getty, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Whitney families.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 22 May 2026
Baptist Health recently received another significant donation from philanthropists Al and Jane Nahmad, though hospital leaders declined to disclose the amount.
—Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropists
Noun
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The National Science Foundation has funded projects that developed the mathematics behind how kidneys get matched to donors and research tracking how extreme weather reshapes communities.—
Remy Dou,
The Conversation,
10 June 2026
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The organization says 169 individual donors have pitched in to help cover the costs, along with several businesses.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Noun
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And then from behind him came Miuccia Prada, the co-creative director and owner of her namesake brand, one of the world’s great art collectors and high-cultural benefactors.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
9 June 2026
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The question is, will their billionaire benefactors be so quick to write checks this time after coming up short again.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
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That’s the gold standard of cancer designations that allows patients and donators alike to understand Sylvester’s standards.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Philanthropists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philanthropists. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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