【Charity】 , 【philanthropy】 are comparable in several of their meanings. Both words denote basically a love for one's fellowmen and a disposition to help those who are in need.
But 【charity】 in this sense tends to suggest a Christian virtue and the will to help, as well as the deed, whenever the occasion arises.
【Philanthropy】 in this sense is much vaguer because it usually implies a love of mankind and a disposition to help the community or one's fellowmen rather than the individual.
Consequently there is a tendency to think of 【charity】 as benevolence manifested especially in public or private provision for the relief of the poor, and of 【philanthropy】 as benevolence manifested in efforts to promote the welfare or well-being of one's fellowmen; thus, out of 【charity】 one provides for the support of a destitute orphan; out of 【philanthropy】 one sends a large gift of money to an educational institution.
The terms also may be applied to what is done or given out of 【charity】 or 【philanthropy】 or to an institution or cause which is the object of such benefaction.
