First, what is philanthropy? The origin of the word, from etymonline.com is from the Greek word Philanthropia: kindliness, humanity, benevolence, love to mankind. Note that it is not love of mankind but love to mankind. Philanthropy is an act of doing or making.
Philanthropy is an act of being kind. This act can be done with money. It can be done with time; it can be done with skillset. It can be done by a gesture, a gesture of…kindness, like letting someone take our place in line at the grocery store due to their pressing need.
Philanthropy works for two main reasons. It adds to the betterment of the world, and it makes us feel good and feel proud of having given our services, our “goods” to another person or entity that could benefit from our gift.
Science has also confirmed that kindness adds to a sense of happiness and well-being. In 2006, researchers at the National institutes of Health found that the brain’s areas associated with pleasure, trust and connection are sparked when we give to charities. The University of California, Berkely’s Greater Good Science Center, co-director, Dacher Keltner said: “…we have evolved the capacities to care for those in need to and cooperate.” Darwin, in his seminal book “The Descent of Man, sites benevolence almost 100 times. He concludes that benevolence exists in the natural world, like when a pelican provides fish to a blind flock member.
Think about how you feel, after you have freely given. It is customary to feel satisfied, proud, synergistic with the recipient, happy. So go ahead and give. It feels good! It sparks happiness.
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