This blog grew out of a desire to change the world. A grandiose statement? Maybe. But honest nonetheless.
Philanthropy Fix is a blog created by university students who were asking big questions and looking for big answers. What are society’s biggest problems, and how can we solve them? How can we combat social inequality and injustice? How can we make the world a better place? And, if we figure out the answers to these questions, how on Earth will we fund the solutions?
Aha. How do we fund the solutions to society’s problems? How do we fund the making of a better world? There are many answers to these questions, but one of them, the students recognized, is through philanthropy. What is philanthropy, exactly? The Oxford English Dictionary describes it thus:
Philanthropy, n. 1. a. Love of mankind; the disposition or active effort to promote the happiness and well-being of others; practical benevolence, now esp. as expressed by the generous donation of money to good causes. – Oxford English Dictionary
While the principle of altruism itself is an ancient concept, the practical benevolence demonstrated today by the likes of Bill Gates and Paul Allen really finds its roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with ubiquitous characters like Andrew Carnegie and the John D. Rockefellers. These men truly changed the world through donations of huge sums to education, medical research, science, and world peace.
In the 21st century, many of society’s dearest assets rely on philanthropic donations for their very existence. Large gifts, often presented through the vehicle of private foundations, support social services, environmental projects, medical research, education, public policy, the arts, and many other areas. This blog recognizes that the contributions of philanthropists help societies flourish, and attempts not only to credit these donors for their efforts, but also to point out areas of current and future need. We want to give kudos to today’s philanthropists, as well as to point out existing and potential relationships in the hopes of building and strengthening the culture of giving. Money, minds, and hearts in partnership truly do change the world.
