A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, or reputation to a charitable cause. The term may apply to any volunteer or to anyone who makes a donation, but the label is most often applied to those who donate large sums of money or who make a major impact through their volunteering, such as a trustee who manages a philanthropic organization. Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, time, or effort to support a charitable cause, usually over an extended period of time and in regard to a defined objective. ... A charitable organization (also known as a charity) is a trust, company or unincorporated association established for charitable purposes only. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... Donation is a gift to a fund or cause, typically for charitable reasons. ...

A philanthropist may not always find universal approval for his/her deeds. Common accusations include supporting an iniquitous cause (such as funding art instead of fighting world hunger) or having selfish motivation at heart (such as avoiding taxes or attaining personal fame). The Bath, a painting by Mary Cassatt (1844-1926). ... Hunger is applied literally to the need or craving for food; it can also be applied metaphorically to cravings of other sorts. ... A tax is a financial charge or other levy imposed on an individual or a legal entity by a state or a functional equivalent of a state (for example, tribes, secessionist movements or revolutionary movements). ...

Some notable philanthropists

The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.

• Jane Addams ~ co-founder of the Hull House settlement house in Chicago.
• William Allen - founded and endowed many institutions and causes including 'Schools of Industry' at Lindfield and Newington Academy for Girls
• Michael Bloomberg ~ Donations include over USD$300 million to Johns Hopkins University.
• Bono ~ Founder of the One Foundation for the abolition of AIDS and poverty in Africa. He is also a frequent donor to Project (Red)
• Warren Buffett ~ pledged USD$30.7 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Nicholas Murray Butler - president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 1925 to 1945.
• Andrew Carnegie ~ donated money to build over 2500 libraries world-wide. Founder of The Carnegie Foundations and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
• Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury - chairman of the Ragged Schools Union (during the Victorian era).
• Anthony J. Drexel ~ founder of Drexel University
• Maulana Dr. Abdul Sattar Edhi ~ head of the Edhi Foundation in Pakistan.
• Marc S. Ellenbogen, Chairman, The Global Panel Foundation; co-founder The Prague Society
• Edsel Ford ~ co-founder of the Ford Foundation.
• Henry Ford ~ co-founder of the Ford Foundation.
• Bill Gates ~ co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Melinda Gates ~ co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• J. Paul Getty ~ funded the construction of the Getty Villa, the original Getty Museum, and donated his art collection to it. Upon his death, left his fortune to the Getty Museum, which eventually expanded to the Getty Center in Los Angeles.
• Johns Hopkins ~ founder of the Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Yusuf Islam (also known as Cat Stevens) ~ founder of Islamic schools, Muslim Aid and Small Kindness.
• Catherine T. MacArthur ~ co-founder of the MacArthur Foundation.
• John D. MacArthur ~ co-founder of the MacArthur Foundation.
• Paul Mellon ~ major benefactor of arts and education, and co-founder of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
• Ailsa Mellon-Bruce ~ co-founder of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
• Mary Louise Milliken Childs ~ Builder of the Milliken Memorial Community House, the first privately donated community house in America
• Samuel Morley MP ~ founded Morley College, London and endowed other institutions and causes
• Jamie and Karen Phelps Moyer ~ founded the Moyer Foundation to assist non-profit organizations in raising money for children with serious distresses
• Sidney Myer ~ Founder of the Iconic Australian Department store chain Myer
• Linus Pauling ~ donated time and effort and spent personal funds to bring about the worldwide ban on above ground nuclear weapons testing.
• Charles Pratt ~ founder of Pratt Institute.
• John D. Rockefeller ~ founder of the Rockefeller Foundation and Rockefeller University.
• John D. Rockefeller Jr. - dramatically expanded the Rockefeller Foundation and Rockefeller University. He also bought and then donated the land in Manhattan upon which the United Nations headquarters was built.
• John D. Rockefeller 3rd ~ major third-generation Rockefeller philanthropist and founder of the Asia Society (1956), the Population Council (1952) and a reconstituted Japan Society, he was chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation for twenty years. He established the Rockefeller Public Service Awards in 1958. Among his many other achievements, he was the driving force behind the construction of the landmark Lincoln Center, built between 1959 and 1966, in New York City.
• Sir Run Run Shaw ~ founder of the Shaw Prize Foundation.
• Gary Sinise ~ co-founder of Operation Iraqi Children.
• Ellen Gates Starr ~ co-founder of Hull House.
• Levi Strauss ~ Gave to many notable foundations of his time. He also gave to many Jewish churches and organizations (he was Jewish himself).
• Belinda Stronach - co-founder of Spread the Net
• Mother Teresa ~ founded the Missionaries of Charity. Her work among the poverty-stricken in Calcutta made her one of the world's most famous people.
• Cornelius Vanderbilt ~ funded Vanderbilt University.
• William Henry Vanderbilt ~ cofounder of the Metropolitan Opera.
• Steve Wozniak ~ provided all the money, as well as a good amount of on-site technical support, for the technology program for the Los Gatos School district. Founder of Unuson.

For a longer list, see Category: Philanthropists. Image File history File links Gnome-globe. ... Jane Addams (September 6, 1860 – May 21, 1935) won the Nobel Peace Prize and was a founder of the U.S. Settlement House Movement. ... Hull House was co-founded in 1889, in Chicago, Illinois, by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Michael Rubens Mike Bloomberg (born 14 February 1942) is a Jewish-American businessman, philanthropist, and the founder of Bloomberg L.P., currently serving as the Mayor of New York City. ... ISO 4217 Code USD User(s) the United States, the British Indian Ocean Territory,[1] the British Virgin Islands, Cambodia, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the insular areas of the United States Inflation 2. ... The Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, is a private institution of higher learning located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... Paul David Hewson, KBE[1] (born 10 May 1960), known as Bono (IPA pronunciation: ), is the Academy Award nominated and Grammy winning lead singer and principal lyricist of the Irish rock band U2. ... Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows what he found. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Warren Buffett (b. ... Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA, NYSE: BRKB) is a holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S., that oversees and manages a number of subsidiary companies. ... The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the worlds largest charitable foundation. ... Nicholas Murray Butler Nicholas Murray Butler (April 2, 1862 – December 7, 1947) was an American philosopher, diplomat, and educator. ... The Endowments headquarters at 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private nonprofit organization promoting international cooperation and active international engagement by the United States of America. ... Andrew Carnegie (November 25, 1835 – August 11, 1919) was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, a major and widely respected philanthropist, and the founder of the Carnegie Steel Company which later became U.S. Steel. ... The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is a philanthropic organization dedicated to sponsoring shows like Sesame Street, Between the Lions, Clifford the Big Red Dog (TV), and ZOOM. Among its most recent chairmen of the vital funder is Newton Minow, who was a former U.S. Federal Communications... The Endowments headquarters at 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private nonprofit organization promoting international cooperation and active international engagement by the United States of America. ... Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (1801–1885), styled Lord Ashley from 1811 to 1851, was an English politician and philanthropist, one of the best-known of the Victorian era. ... Ragged schools is a name given to the 19th century charity schools in the United Kingdom which provided education and, in most cases, food, clothing, and lodging for destitute children. ... Queen Victoria (shown here on the morning of her accession to the Throne, 20 June 1837) gave her name to the historic era The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British Industrial Revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ... // Anthony Joseph Drexel I (1826-1893) Anthony Joseph Drexel I (September 13, 1826 – June 30, 1893) was a financier, banker, partner of J.P. Morgan and founder of Drexel University Birth He was born in 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Francis Martin Drexel (1792-1863) and Catherine Hookey (1795-?). Anthony... Drexel University is an institution of higher learning located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Dr Abdul Sattar Edhi, or Maulana Edhi, as he is often known, is one of the most active philanthropists of the world. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Marc S. Ellenbogen Marc S. Ellenbogen (born February 6, 1963) is Chairman of the Global Panel Foundation and President of the Prague Society for International Cooperation. ... The Global Panel Foundaton was created in 1988 by the Dutch entrepreneur Bas Spuybroek. ... The Prague Society for International Cooperation is a Central European policy organization dedicated to creating and maintaining a network of businessmen, diplomats, politicians and academics, who contribute to important policy issues. ... Edsel Bryant Ford (November 6, 1893 – May 26, 1943), son of Henry Ford, was born in Detroit. ... The Ford Foundation is a charitable foundation based in New York City created to fund programs that promote democracy, reduce poverty, promote international understanding, and advance human achievement. ... Henry Ford (1919) Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was the founder of the Ford Motor Company and father of modern assembly lines used in mass production. ... The Ford Foundation is a charitable foundation based in New York City created to fund programs that promote democracy, reduce poverty, promote international understanding, and advance human achievement. ... William Henry Gates III (born October 28, 1955) is an American entrepreneur and the co-founder, chairman, former chief software architect, and former CEO of Microsoft, the worlds largest software company. ... The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (B&MGF) is the largest transparently operated[2] charitable foundation in the world, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates in 2000 and doubled in size by Warren Buffett in 2006. ... Melinda French Gates (born Melinda Ann French on August 15, 1964) is a former Microsoft unit manager of Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Bob, Microsoft Encarta, and Microsoft Expedia. ... The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (B&MGF) is the largest transparently operated[2] charitable foundation in the world, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates in 2000 and doubled in size by Warren Buffett in 2006. ... As I See It, J. Paul Getty Autobiography Jean Paul Getty (December 15, 1892 – June 6, 1976) was an American industrialist and founder of the Getty Oil Company. ... The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades near Los Angeles, California, USA, is part of the J. Paul Getty Museum. ... The Getty Center, seen from the Central Garden The Getty Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, is the current home of the J. Paul Getty Museum as well as a research institute, conservation institute, grant program, and leadership institute. ... This article is about the person. ... The Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, is a private institution of higher learning located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... The Johns Hopkins Hospital is a teaching hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. ... Yusuf Islam Yusuf Islam (born July 21, 1948) was a British singer-songwriter. ... Muslim Aid is the name of a charity organization founded by Yusef Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens). ... Small Kindness is the name of a charity organization founded by Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens). ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a major private grant-making foundation based in Chicago that has awarded more than US$3 billion since its inception in 1978. ... John Donald MacArthur (March 6, 1897 – January 6, 1978) was an American businessman and philanthropist who established the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, benefactor in the MacArthur Fellowships. ... The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a major private grant-making foundation based in Chicago that has awarded more than US$3 billion since its inception in 1978. ... Paul Mellon KBE (11 June 1907 – 1 February 1999) was an American philanthropist and Thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder who is one of the only four people ever designated Exemplars of Racing by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. ... The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is a foundation endowed with wealth accumulated by the late Andrew W. Mellon. ... Ailsa Mellon Bruce (1901 - August 25, 1969), born in Pittsburgh, the daughter of the banker and diplomat Andrew W. Mellon. ... The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is a foundation endowed with wealth accumulated by the late Andrew W. Mellon. ... Mary Louise Milliken Childs (1873-1936) Noted philanthropist in the 20th Century for building over twenty hospitals and two churches throughout the United States. ... Disent - a Vanity Fair caricature of Samuel Morley Samuel Morley MP, 15th October 1809 - 5th September 1886, was an English woollen manufacturer, philanthropist, dissenter (Congregationalist), abolitionist, political radical, and statesman. ... Jamie Moyer (born November 18, 1962 in Sellersville, Pennsylvania) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. ... Richard Digger Phelps (born July 4, 1941) is a former college basketball coach. ... Jamie Moyer (born November 18, 1962 in Sellersville, Pennsylvania) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. ... Sidney Baerski Myer, born Simcha Baevski , (February 8, 1878 Russia. ... Myer Emporium. ... Linus Carl Pauling (February 28, 1901 – August 19, 1994) was an American quantum chemist and biochemist. ... Charles Pratt Charles Pratt (2 October, 1830 - 4 May, 1891) was a United States capitalist, businessman and philanthropist. ... Pratt Institute is a specialized, private college in New York City with campuses in Manhattan and Brooklyn. ... John Davison Rockefeller, Sr. ... The Rockefeller Foundation (RF) is a prominent philanthropic organization based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ... Founders Hall Rockefeller University is a private university focusing primarily on graduate and postgraduate education research in the biomedical fields, located between 63rd and 68th Streets along York Avenue, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan island in New York City, New York. ... John D. Rockefeller Jr. ... The Rockefeller Foundation (RF) is a prominent philanthropic organization based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ... Founders Hall Rockefeller University is a private university focusing primarily on graduate and postgraduate education research in the biomedical fields, located between 63rd and 68th Streets along York Avenue, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan island in New York City, New York. ... John Davison Rockefeller 3rd (March 21, 1906 – July 10, 1978) was a major philanthropist and third-generation member of the prominent Rockefeller family. ... We dont have an article called Asia Society Start this article Search for Asia Society in. ... The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, non-governmental organization that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. ... The Rockefeller Foundation (RF) is a prominent philanthropic organization based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ... The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. ... Sir Run Run Shaw CBE, GBM (Chinese name: 邵逸夫, originally named 邵仁楞; born October 4, 1907) is a Hong Kong media mogul. ... The Shaw Prize is established by Sir Run Run Shaw (邵逸夫 1907–), a leader in the media industry in Hong Kong and a long-time philanthropist, to, in the official words, honor individuals, regardless of race, nationality and religious belief, who have achieved significant breakthrough in academic... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Operation Iraqi Children is a charitable program created by actor Gary Sinise and author Laura Hillenbrand to send school supplies to Iraqi children. ... We dont have an article called Ellen Gates Starr Start this article Search for Ellen Gates Starr in. ... Hull House was co-founded in 1889, in Chicago, Illinois, by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr. ... Alternative meaning: Claude L vi-Strauss, the French anthropologist. ... Belinda Caroline Stronach, PC, MP (born May 2, 1966 in Newmarket, Ontario) is a Canadian businesswoman, politician, and a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) in the Canadian House of Commons. ... Mother Teresa (born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu IPA: ) (August 26, 1910 – September 5, 1997), was an Albanian Roman Catholic nun who founded the Missionaries of Charity and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work. ... Missionaries of Charity is a Catholic religious order established in 1950 by Nobel Peace Prize (1979) laureate Mother Teresa to tend to the poorest of the poor. ... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows what he found. ... ,   (IPA: [] Bengali: কলকাতা) (formerly, in English contexts,  ) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. ... Cornelius Vanderbilt Cornelius Vanderbilt I (May 27, 1794 – January 4, 1877), also known by the sobriquets The Commodore [1] [2] or Commodore Vanderbilt [3], was an American entrepreneur who built his wealth in shipping and railroads and was the patriarch of the Vanderbilt family. ... Vanderbilt University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational research university in Nashville, Tennessee. ... William H. Vanderbilt (May 8, 1821 – December 8, 1885) was a businessman and a member of the prominent United States Vanderbilt family. ... The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, seen from Lincoln Center Plaza A full house at the old Metropolitan Opera House, seen from the rear of the stage, at the Metropolitan Opera House for a concert by pianist Józef Hofmann, November 28, 1937. ... Stephan Gary Woz Wozniak (born August 11, 1950 in San Jose, California) is an American computer engineer and the co-founder of Apple Computer (now Apple Inc. ... Los Gatos is a town located in Santa Clara County, California. ...

See also

• Charitable organization
• Development charities
• Foundation (charity)
• Freelanthropy
• Non-profit organization
• Volunteer
• Volunteerism