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We, human beings, in spite of all our faults, are social beings capable of performing acts of empathy, altruism and generosity toward our fellow beings. These qualities magnify us as people and make the world a better place, more receptive and more pleasant to live. It is this empathic way of seeing and acting in the world that motivates philanthropy, a concept that we will explain in this post.
The Concept
In the dictionary, the term philanthropy is defined as love of humanity and great generosity towards other human beings. Note that both definitions bring feelings (love and generosity), not actions themselves. Philanthropy is therefore linked to a higher purpose that guides the action of those who practice it.
In practice, philanthropy is associated with organizations and individuals that dedicate time and resources to actions and projects of solidarity or of great social relevance. They are actions that start from the philanthropic sentiment, of love for humanity, and that offer help to those who need it, without asking for anything in return.
The Importance Of Philanthropy
Being sensitive to others is essential if we are to live in a more human and receptive world. Acts of empathy and generosity have the potential to generate a virtuous circle, beneficial not only to the needy but to society as a whole. The very attitude of helping others magnifies us and brings a sense of purpose to our lives.
In addition, philanthropy can be decisive in the lives of people in devastating situations deprived of the most basic resources. An act of altruism, however small, can completely change the life of a human being.
- So that you do not think that what were said in the above are mere subjective impressions, here are some facts about the impact of philanthropy in Brazil and in the world. According to a 2014 study of the American university John Hopkins, philanthropic donations reached the mark of 2.3% of the Brazilian GDP between 2002 and 2010. The study took into account 15 countries, and Brazil finished tenth in the proportional comparison. For purposes of comparison, Bolsa Família has expenditures equivalent to about 0.4% of our GDP.
- While in Brazil it is common to have more donations at times like the end of the year, in the United States, the country that holds the largest economy on the planet, philanthropy is strongly rooted in culture. Many of the world’s greatest philanthropists are Americans. Some even donate billions of dollars in charity projects, such as Microsoft founder Bill Gates. There is even a group of billionaires who pledge to donate half of their fortune to charity (called Giving Pledge, with 57 members).
But it’s not just the billionaires who donate on Uncle Sam’s land: statistics show that Americans generally donated $ 373 billion in 2015 alone. Of that amount, individual donations account for more than 70 percent (or $ 268 billion). The average annual funding for philanthropy per American family is nearly $ 3,000. Foundations ($ 57 billion) and companies ($ 19 billion) also do their part. From scott cooper miami publication you can have the best information about all these.
So even if you think giving small amounts of money, clothes and food has no impact, remember to look at things from a broader perspective: if we all do our part, generosity can have a very significant economic impact.
