The word philanthropy comes from the Greek which means love of mankind. A generally accepted comprehensive definition of philanthropy does not exist and many scholars in the field doubt that one can be developed. Some scholars assert that a certain vagueness is inevitable even desirable.
Philanthropy includes voluntary giving, voluntary service and voluntary association primarily for the benefit of others. It is also the prudent sister of charity.
In many communities, voluntary and non-profit organizations with augmented philanthropic support have struggled against prevailing odds both to offer a wide range of needed services to disadvantaged individuals.
Students enrolled in courses in Philanthropy or non-profit organization management.
Charity is the religious traditions of altruism, compassion and empathy and giving a one-to-one basis as Paul. N. Ylvisaker had noted: “Philanthropy takes a more impersonal and dispassionate approach to bettering the human condition by institutionalizing, giving, focusing beyond the immediate condition of people to root causes of human problems and systematic reforms, recognizing responsibility to the public interest and helping to effect a societal change
Today, charity has come to mean serving the poor and the needy, while some voluntary organisations still provide such service, the government has assumed major responsibility for it, both directly and through subvention of voluntary organizations.
Contemporary philanthropy has come to be recognized as being broadly concerned with improving the quality of life for all members of the community, by promoting their welfare, happiness, and culture. It therefore focuses on such interest and concerns of all income classes as protecting the environment, preventing diseases, improving education, orphanages as well as sustaining a continuing, if somewhat subdued attention to the needs of charity.
Today, philanthropy is viewed as a tradition, a spirit and a sector of society in advanced world. It is referred to as the third sector, the independent sector, the voluntary sector and the non-profit sector through, not all non-profit organizations are philanthropic in character.
Mrs Udoh Itunu, Deputy Controller of Correctional Service (RT) 07037616413
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