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

Some have criticized Scott’s philanthropy, including Elon Musk. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 22 Aug. 2026

Driven by the vision and philanthropy of Diane Brandenburg, plans are for it to be installed in December at Arena Green West in the Guadalupe River Park. — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026

For starters, most organizations doing this work are non-profits, so philanthropy is effectively the only money available to them. — Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Islamic finance already has instruments that operate far beyond philanthropy. — Alaa Murabit, STAT, 20 Aug. 2026