An Introduction to the #EverydayPhilanthropist
phi·lan·thro·py
/fəˈlanTHrəpē/
noun: the desire to promote the welfare of others, the love of humanity.
synonyms: benevolence, generosity, humanitarianism, public-spiritedness, altruism, socially
conscience, charity, charitableness, brotherly love, fellow feeling, magnanimity,
munificence, liberality, largesse, open handedness, bountifulness, beneficence,
unselfishness, humanity, kindness, kind heartedness, compassion;
Are you surprised by the definition of philanthropy? You are not alone.
Like many people, you may have expected that “philanthropy” meant the large donation of money or time to a cause, and that, consequently, to be considered a “philanthropist” you had to be someone who was able to give said large amounts of money or time. But like many people, you would be wrong.
To clarify- you absolutely are a philanthropist if you donate money or time, but what I want to bring to light is that this is not a requirement of being a philanthropists but rather just one way that people show their love of humanity. It is just one of many ways that people are everyday philanthropists.
By the definition above, a philanthropist is someone who desires to promote the welfare of others and who has a love for humanity. So- do you have a love for humanity? Then head to the front of the class, you too are an #EverydayPhilanthropist! It doesn’t matter how you show that love, just that you do.
This month, SHARE Charlotte and AFP Charlotte are together embarking on a journey to dispel the myth that philanthropists act, look, or spend their time and money in one certain way. If you do something GOOD for someone else throughout the day- maybe you round up at the register, buy your friend a coffee or hold the door for the person behind you- you too are an #EverydayPhilanthropist.
Stay tuned this month for a look at the Everyday Philanthropists who make up our Charlotte community.