This new article will teach you what it is to be a philanthropist and what it does. You will discover the best-known ones in Ecuador and the rest of Latin America.
What is it to be a philanthropist?
In the field of a philanthropic foundation, the figure of the philanthropist is developed.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines the meaning of philanthropist as follows:
“A person who helps the poor, especially by giving them money.”
What does it take to be a philanthropist?
The public charity, the National Philanthropic Trust, explains the appropriateness of practicing philanthropy:
“Most people engage in philanthropy on a regular basis, though they may have different names for it. If you support fundraising efforts at work or at school, put money aside from your paycheck into a workplace donor-advised fund, volunteer in your church or in the community, or interact with crowd-sourcing campaigns in the digital sphere – you are a philanthropist.”
What does the philanthropist do?
The philanthropist supports and reaches underprivileged areas that government agencies do not get.
It is confirmed with the following excerpt from the publication of The International Monetary Fund (IMF):
“A major question for today’s philanthropists involves that alluring yet vaguely defined term “sustainability.” Charitable donations often play an important role in supporting the vulnerable in times of need when markets or governments can’t or won’t do so.”
Latin American philanthropists
In the following sections, essential names of Latin American philanthropists are discovered.
Mexican philanthropists
Some of the best-known Mexican philanthropists are:
- Carlos Slim: a dozen foundations depend on their companies.
On a personal level, the philanthropist is involved in the Fundación Carlos Slim, whose tasks are developed in health, education, and environment, among ten others.
The latest annual report of the Fundación Carlos Slim reveals all the data.
Among them, the 29,155.97 tons of humanitarian aid for natural disasters or the 172 water treatment plants installed.
He has been recognized on several occasions as philanthropist of the year at a national and international level;
- Alfredo Harp Helú: the philanthropist created the foundation that bears his name to confront poverty and spread generosity among Mexicans.
These are three foundations linked to each other: Fundación Alfredo Harp Helú, Fundación Alfredo Harp Helú Oaxaka and Fundación Alfredo Harp Helú para el Deporte.
As of December 2021, the assets of the Fundación Alfredo Harp Helú were $16,130,989,454; and your gift of $9,033,585,577;
- Alejandro Ramírez Magaña: the philanthropist ‘s initiatives have supported education and justice in Mexico.
On the XX Day of Altruism, the Association of Professionals of Mexico recognized him for his actions in favor of health, education and cinema;
- Alberto and Dolores Andrade: in 1978, they created the Fundación Alberto& Dolores Andrade (ADA).
Currently, it accompanies students of academic excellence until they achieve a professional degree to compete in the labor field;
- Lorenzo Servitje: Grupo Bimbo ‘s founder has received numerous awards for his philanthropic work.
Grupo Bimbo‘s altruism is based on environmental standards, product quality and safety, human rights and labor standards, and sustainable supply.
Other important names are Manuel Arango or Miguel Ángel Alemán Velasco.
Ecuadorian philanthropists
Nahím Isaías Barquet can be considered an important philanthropist in Ecuador.
His role with his family, including Roberto Isaías, was decisive in helping the Cuban community during the time of the Castro.
The Isaías brothers gave all the support and support to these refugees.
The philanthropist, Isaías Barquet created La Filantrópica Foundation to promote and help communities improve their living conditions.
His vision was to provide comprehensive and preventive health to the most unprotected and teach crafts to the members of all those families.
After his death, his nephews, including Roberto Isaías Dassum, assumed the legacy and changed the name to Nahím Isaías Foundation.
Today, the foundation is focused on improving the health of the Ecuadorian population that lives in less economically favored areas.
The Isaías is part of the history of philanthropy with the most unprotected communities in Ecuador.
Likewise, the name of Nahím Isaías is also linked to a museum in Guayaquil.
His commitment promoted the development of cultural and artistic practices.
The Nahím Isaías museum houses two thousand paintings and sculptures from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Colombian philanthropists
Some of the best-known Colombian philanthropists are:
- Shakira: in 1997, he created the Fundación Pies Descalzos, which focused on supporting education in Colombia.
His accolades are numerous. 2003, Shakira was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
2011, the president of the United States; Barack Obama appointed the artist as a Member of the Presidential Advisory Commission for Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
2017, the Colombian received the Cristal Award at the World Economic Forum for her leadership in favor of education and early childhood development;
- Christian Daes: the collaborations and donations of the businessman and philanthropist are well known, especially for his involvement in Barranquilla.
In 2020, it donated 40,000 markets to the most vulnerable neighborhoods in Barranquilla.
The monument located in Barranquilla, Window to the world, was built on the initiative of Christian Daes himself, through his corporate philanthropy;
- James Rodríguez: Colombia somos todos support to hundreds of children in the educational and health area through its foundation.
It has built strategic alliances to reach 4,535 children and adolescents and 1,970 parents.
Likewise, the soccer player and philanthropist participated in the creation of a video game in which the funds were allocated to children at La Misericordia Pediatric Hospital;
- Juanes: Juanes’ philanthropy is developed above all through Mi Sangre.
It was born with the dream of supporting psychosocial accompaniment and socioeconomic inclusion projects for victims of antipersonnel mines and placing the problem on the public agenda.
They activate ecosystems and develop capacities so that the new generations are protagonists in constructing a culture of peace in Colombia.
Mario Hernández or Carlos Vives also stand out.
Argentine philanthropists
Some of the best-known Argentine philanthropists are:
- Eduardo Eurnekian: La Americas Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA) honored the Argentine businessman last year for his achievements and philanthropic efforts.
The president of AS/COA recognized the work of Eurnekian:
“He is recognized for his extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and boundless generosity toward social issues.”
As President of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, Eurnekian honors the legacy of those who helped victims of Nazi persecution.
- Enrique Piñeyro: the filmmaker, entrepreneur and philanthropist carry out his humanitarian work, through humanitarian flights, as a pilot.
The last feat of the Italian-Argentinean, owner of Solidaire, took place in March when he moved 1,050 Ukrainians in his plane from Poland to Spain.
In addition, the warehouse was transporting 28 tons of humanitarian material.
Generally, these personalities’ work is part of their companies’ business philanthropy.
Spanish philanthropists
Some of the best-known Spanish philanthropists are:
- Hermanas Koplowitz: Fundación Alicia Koplowitz was born committed to training and research in Child and adolescent psychiatry and social assistance to minors.
The entity develops the activities of the said foundation and the Fundación Vida y Esperanza, created by Koplowitz in 1994.
For its part, Fundación Esther Koplowitz focuses on helping the most disadvantaged in society and supporting biomedical research and scientific progress;
- Isidro Fainé: Fainé stands out for his work at the head of the Fundación La Caixa and its Social Work.
They develop solutions for social progress, culture and science, education and research;
- Entrecanales family: they have numerous foundations of different themes.
Some of them are specified below:
- Juan Entrecanales de Azcárate supports through economic financing non-profit entities that develop programs that allow the progress of communities;
- José Entrecanales Ibarra aims to give prestige to civil engineering as a tool that drives society and its development;
- José Manuel Entrecanales promotes the economic development of Spanish society through innovation and entrepreneurship;
- Álvaro Entrecanales Fines supports people with Down syndrome and their families;
- Fundación Balia fights against child poverty in Spain through education.
The contributions from Latin America or Spain are far from Great Britain or the United States.
Conclusions
In this article, you have discovered what a philanthropist is and which are the best known in Latin American countries like Ecuador.
The following conclusions can be drawn from this text by Roberto Isaías Dassum:
- A philanthropist is distinguished by love and works for the good of the community;
- This figure reaches abandoned areas where, sometimes, the organisms do not get;
- Alfredo Harp Helú and Lorenzo Servitje are two essential figures of philanthropy in Mexico;
- Christian Daes stands out in Colombia, and Eduardo Eurnekian in Argentina;
- In Spain, the foundations of Isidro Fainé and the Entrecanales family work for social, educational and cultural development.
In Ecuador, Nahím Isaías Barquet was an important Ecuadorian philanthropist.
His role together with that of his family, including Roberto Isaías, encourages and helps communities to improve their living conditions.
