Philanthropy

Philanthropy has several, related meanings. In the broadest sense it is action for the love (or good) of humankind. In a more narrow, instrumental sense, it can also refer to [financial foundations] and [fundraising] both of which are summed up with the phrase "private action for the public good".

Medieval Philanthropy

Philanthropy in all of its various meanings and manifestations was an important component of medieval European culture, religion and economy.

Modern Philanthropy

In everyday usage, the term philanthropy often refers to fundraising and foundations

Modern Philanthropists

Andrew Carnegie

One of the most powerful and paradoxical voices in modern philanthropy is Andrew Carnegie.

Laurene Powell Jobs

The widow of Steve Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple Inc., Ms. Powell Jobs manages the Steve Jobs Trust and has established a distinctive record of philanthropy.

Rockefeller Family

In the wake of the example set by John D. Rockefeller Jr. ("Junior" to friends, family and associates), numerous members of the extended Rockefeller family have made important contributions to the world of philanthropy. For example, his five sons, John, Nelson, Laurance, Winthrop, and David, founded the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in 1940. The original Rockefeller Foundation was founded in 1913 by John D. Rockefeller, Senior at the encouragement of his son, Junior and their associate Frederick Taylor Gates. It is one of the oldest major financial foundations in the U.S., after the Carnegie Corporation, founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 and the Russell Sage Foundation founded by Mr. Sage's widow, Margaret Olivia Sage in 1907.

Margaret Olivia Sage=

The widow of Russell Sage, who died in 1907, was at the time perhaps the wealthiest woman in the world. Despite her husband's well-known and publicized opposition to philanthropic activity, Ms. Sage donated funds for establishment of the Russell Sage Foundation and spent most of the rest of her life engaged in her own philanthropic activities.