People who give money, help, or support to others, especially to charities or people in need.
From Latin 'benefactor,' combining 'bene-' meaning 'well' with 'factor' meaning 'doer.' Literally means 'one who does good.'
Many of history's great institutions—universities, hospitals, museums—were built by benefactors whose donations became so important they're now remembered with buildings and wings bearing their names.
Historically weighted male—benefactors were typically wealthy men documented by their patronage. Women's philanthropic contributions were often unpaid domestic/community work, linguistically unmarked.
Use 'benefactor' and 'benefactress' equally, or 'donor,' 'supporter,' 'patron' to avoid gendered default.
["donor","supporter","patron","philanthropist"]
Women like Madam C.J. Walker, Melinda Gates, and countless unnamed community women drove social change through giving; historical records should reflect this.
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