Philanthropist - who is this? Meaning and Meaning of the Word

In spring, Russia will face a major and very significant event: awarding the nominees of the International Prize "Philanthropist 2014". For the eighth time, the award will be given to disabled people who have overcome their ailment, have made great strides in various fields. This award has united artists, doctors, officials, entrepreneurs, trying to help people with disabilities. Different people of Russia have united under the sign of this project to help talented disabled people to step forward safely.

Russian philanthropist - who is this?

Unfortunately, today not everyone remembers the meaning of this term. The dictionaries explain that a philanthropist is a person who gives some of the earned money or part of his fortune to those who can not provide for themselves. The oldest form of philanthropy was charity, which the faithful gave to beggars, begging near monasteries or temples. Today charity is not limited to charity: the concept has become much broader. A modern philanthropist - who is this? This is a person who is able to support those who need it with his actions or deeds. Unfortunately, in the international list of philanthropists, oligarchs, Russia ranks 127th out of 145. Ubiquitous statistics have established that 15 wealthiest Russians each year donate as much to charity as Bill and Miranda Gates. Only the general director of "Norilsk Nickel" V. Potanin adheres to the oath, which was once given by Gates and Buffett. He promised (and while fulfilling his promise) to give more than half of his well-being to good deeds. Fortunately, Potanin is not the only one who supports the needy.

The most famous philanthropists of Russia

So who is a philanthropist? Everyone understands the meaning of the word today in their own way. So, for example, R. Abramovich spends a fortune on supporting the football team, considering it philanthropy. Suleiman Kerimov deducts funds for operations to seriously ill children. Sometimes he supports schools. Viktor Vekselberg donates a share of his fortune to restore Russia's cultural values. Each of them and other wealthy people independently decides what or whom he will support. I. Prokhorova, the wife of a well-known oligarch, complained that some help only when they are insistently asked by V. Putin or the Government. What else is meant by the term "philanthropist"? The meaning of the word is contrasted with the concept of "misanthrope" and implies a disinterested concern for improving the life of mankind as a whole, selfless philanthropy in the broadest sense. Thus, philanthropist V. Evtushenkov, well-known in our country, has been engaged in charity for a long time in several directions.

Vladimir Evtushenkov and his contribution to charity

V. Evtushenkov is perhaps the most famous philanthropist in Russia. Who is it? This is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of AFK Sistema. He created his own fund, which supports science and education, sports. The Foundation is trying to preserve the country's cultural heritage, improve social life. Fund staff also understand the term "philanthropist" in their own way. The meaning of the word is not exhausted exclusively for them by financial donations, although only one Russian Museum receives a million rubles each year. Employees strongly support young scientists, athletes, creating conditions for the development of talent, helping to advance, to become famous. It was V. Evtushenkov and his Foundation that helped to open several virtual branches of the Russian Museum in the country. One of the associates of V. Evtushenkov was asked: "Philanthropist - who is this?" He gave a wise and unequivocal answer. According to his definition, a philanthropist is a person who wants to improve the existence of others.

What are other Russian philanthropists doing?

The media annually make up the top Russian entrepreneurs who donate significant amounts to charity. Ranking, unlike dictionaries, does not help to understand what the "philanthropist" means, but clearly shows the size of charity. The last two or three years he was headed by R. Abramovich. Out of his fortune ($ 12.5 billion), he spent $ 310 million on charity. Slightly behind him was the founder of USM Holdings, Alisher Usmanov. He is only half a billion dollars "poorer" Abramovich, but this did not stop him from spending 247 million on sports, art and science. It is interesting that in the past, the patron of art has many dark moments: he was sentenced to 8 years, but later released early. The case was deemed fabricated.

A few lines lower in the rating was A. Mordashov, CEO of ZAO "Severgrupp". Over the past three years, he donated 103 million out of 9.5 billion. The fifty-eight-year-old vice president of Lukoil and the owner of Spartak, with a "small" fortune of 5.2 billion, spent 31 million for the benefit of society. In total, the list includes 15 entrepreneurial philanthropists.

Vow of the gift

So who is a philanthropist? A person who considers charity a call of the soul or an obligation? Different people respond differently to this question. Americans, accustomed to doing the show, came up with the "Oath of Donation". So Bill Gates and Warren Buffett called their philanthropic campaign, launched in 2010. The movement, according to its founders, is designed to encourage all the wealthy and significant people of the world to give up most of the acquired fortune in favor of those in need. By early 2013, the movement was supported by 105 of the world's richest names, and the minimum amount of expected donations is $ 125 billion.

It is interesting that the same Russian V. Yevtushenkov and many of his associates do not give any oaths and promises, but annually they provide tangible assistance to science, sports, spend money on solving social problems. Abroad, not everyone supports the "Oath of Donation". So, the former secular lioness, financial genius, philanthropist Lillian Betancourt refused to join the movement, leaving her decision without comment. At the same time, it has its own fund with a capital of about 150 million €, half of which goes annually to support scientific development and education.

Women-philanthropists

Lilian Betancourt is not alone. There are quite a few women who are called "philanthropist". Who is it? Here are the most famous, those who head the list of the richest ladies of the world.

• Iris Fontbona is perhaps the most modest philanthropist in the world. Who is it? The widow of a Latin American multibillionaire. Sacrificing huge money for charity, she often remains anonymous. Only once she flashed in the Chilean air of a 27-hour marathon, during which money was collected for children with severe and incurable diseases. Leaving for just a second on the stage, Iris said she was giving away $ 3 million.
• Jacqueline Mars, a woman who knows exactly what a philanthropist is. The circle of its support includes talented students, a society of doctors, an opera, a sports library, etc. For the needs of these people and organizations the fund created by Jacqueline transferred more than $ 10 million.
• Gina Reinhart. The "Queen of Queens" of Australia, journalists were accused of greed. However, it turned out that she regularly supports organizations struggling for women's rights, but does it incognito.

Philanthropy: for and against

Philanthropy, like any social phenomenon, the concept is ambiguous. Undoubtedly, charitable foundations of the whole world use their enormous power for the development of science and public health, culture and education. A huge benefit came from social assistance programs, which were founded by Carnegie and Rockefeller. Thanks to these programs, a successful existence was recognized as one of the basic human rights. The movement of philanthropists has helped to save many lives, has provided invaluable assistance to many social spheres.

But not all so unambiguously. In the US, the work of the funds differed little from the policy of the state, whose main goal is "universal prosperity." Constantly providing assistance to the poor, politicians and philanthropists changed the situation so that in the United States several generations of people have grown up, who actually became dependents. Accustomed to charitable help, they do not want to work. These people lost their independence, became dependent on constant social assistance. Many of them do not want to work, they are unable to change their position on their own.

This charity also had a negative impact on migrants. They simultaneously received social and educational assistance. Educational programs eventually led to the erosion of ethnic values, the loss of national identity of national minorities. Nevertheless, it is social welfare programs that can solve problems and problems for which the state does not have enough resources and time. And this is the main strength and benefit of philanthropy. Yet the participants in such movements are called philanthropists, that is, people who give part to those who need help.