Synonyms of philanthropy

philanthropy

noun

fə-ˈlan(t)-thrə-pē 

1

as in contribution

a gift of money or its equivalent to a charity, humanitarian cause, or public institution

among the industrialist's philanthropies was a college scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contribution
• donation
• charity
• alms
• benefaction
• offering
• beneficence
• assistance
• legacy
• endowment
• grant
• welfare
• bequest
• aid
• subsidy
• relief
• presentation
• benevolence
• tithe
• present
• dole
• largesse
• handout
• bestowal

2

as in charity

the giving of necessities and especially money to the needy

much dedicated to philanthropy, the industrialist maintains a surprisingly modest lifestyle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• charity
• humanism
• welfare
• humanitarianism
• almsgiving
• donation
• contribution
• altruism
• dole
• benevolence
• grant
• fund
• goodwill
• endowment
• do-goodism
• benefaction
• beneficence
• do-gooding
• alms
• subsidy
• relief

3

as in generosity

the quality or state of being generous

a society dowager renowned for her philanthropy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• generosity
• liberality
• kindness
• munificence
• unselfishness
• gift
• largesse
• bounty
• bountifulness
• generousness
• selflessness
• openheartedness
• charity
• openhandedness
• beneficence
• bigheartedness
• tribute
• kindliness
• extravagance
• lavishness
• wastefulness
• gratuity
• spendthrift
• prodigality
• improvidence
• lagniappe
• squandering
• dissipating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• economy
• selfishness
• conservation
• frugality
• thrift
• parsimony
• miserliness
• cheapness
• meanness
• stinginess
• closeness
• husbandry
• tightness
• saving
• providence
• pinching
• economizing
• conserving
• penuriousness
• managing
• ungenerosity
• skimping
• scrimping
• husbanding
• scraping
• cutting back

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of philanthropy

In some ways, the Breakaway/Build donation model operates like a mirror image of traditional philanthropy. — Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 July 2026

In media, in philanthropy, in nonprofits and academia, advocacy organizations, electoral politics. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

The campaign did not respond to a follow-up question about whether Koch philanthropy has had any bearing on his policymaking decisions. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

This is part of the evidence that CEO Kevin Blue’s focus on philanthropy could end up providing important resources to a national team that needs them. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 7 July 2026