Philanthropy is the act of generosity associated with giving money, property, goods, time and services to charitable causes and institutions with the intention of improving the well-being of humanity. Foundations are organizations established to disperse funds to support charitable causes and institutions on behalf of donors, which may consist of individual people, corporations, or special interest groups.
Things to Consider
Professionals in philanthropy tend to work in one of two capacities 1) with individual donors and their financial gifts; or 2) with the dispersing of grants and awards to individual causes or institutions. Professionals who work with donors should have outstanding communication and public relations skills. Professionals who work with grants and awards should have extensive knowledge on the issues the funds support. A sampling of roles within philanthropy include: Major Gifts Officer, Program Associate/Officer, Development Officer, Grants Writer, and Grants Assistant.
