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Abstract

At root, the term ‘philanthropy’ refers to love and caring for fellow human beings. In modern usage the term has rather narrower connotations. People who give time voluntarily in the service of others are caring, but they are rarely referred to as ‘philanthropists’. Today philanthropy is generally seen to involve giving money, and the label ‘philanthropist’ usually reserved for those at the higher end of giving. If I referred to myself as a philanthropist on the basis of my £10 gift to the local hospice it would sound pretentious.

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Leat, D. (2016). Definitions and Distinctions. In: Philanthropic Foundations, Public Good and Public Policy. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-48289-1_2

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