European Philanthropists Who Are Changing The World One Step At A Time

Over recent years, the world has started to seem like a scary place, with major catastrophes such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine making everyone feel unsafe.Thankfully, there is good news among the bad. The pandemic and other events of recent years have bought out the best in many of us, and 2022 has even been dubbed ‘the year of philanthropy’ by some. 

While individuals and corporations put a lot of effort into supporting others, those who dedicate their lives to supporting the less fortunate, known as philanthropists, have bought significant, positive change to the lives of those who need it the most. 

These individuals include both wealthy business leaders who now donate money to good causes and those who have experienced hardships first-hand and want to make a difference. 

Philanthropists come from a variety of backgrounds, and while some are well-known names, others are not often given the recognition they deserve for their hard work and commitment to improving the lives of others. 

That’s why we’ve put together this article to celebrate some of Europe’s top philanthropists who are working to make the world a better place.  

Beny Steinmetz 

Israeli-born Beny Steinmetz is a renowned entrepreneur who has risen to exceptional success over the years. After becoming a successful billionaire, Steinmetz decided to give back to the world by launching the Beny & Agnes Steinmetz Foundation with his wife. Dedicated to supporting education, healthcare, and culture projects for young children in Israel, the foundation works hard to ensure that future generations get the support and care they need to flourish. 

As well as donating to good causes and managing volunteering projects, the foundation also provides the Beny Steinmetz Scholarship, which allows 125 students to attend the Netanya Academic College in Israel, one of the few colleges in the country to have been accredited as a higher education institution by both the Israeli Government and the Council of Higher Education. These scholarships are helping to support young people in Israel and drive them towards future success. 

Jack Monroe

Having experienced extreme poverty herself as a young single mother, Jack Monroe has worked hard over recent years to support those in need throughout the UK and change the system for the better. She is vocal on issues such as LGBTQIA+ rights, support for those in poverty and changes to the political system that would make it easier for those on lower incomes to live fulfilled lives without running into debt. 

Alongside her work as an activist and supporter of those in need, Monroe is also a cookbook author who shares thrifty yet filling recipes. Most of the profits from her cookbook sales and journalistic work go to charity, with Monroe being a vocal supporter of food banks to support those who don’t have the money to buy essential items. This work has made Monroe a key figure in the modern anti-poverty movement, and she has worked hard over the years to debunk common myths around poverty and expose flaws in the UK economy that mean that many hard-working individuals are forced to rely on charity to make ends meet. 

Len Blavatnik

British/ American entrepreneur Len Blavatnik is among the richest individuals in the world, and he’s been deeply committed to supporting others for many years. He launched the Blavatnik Family Foundation over a decade ago to support the arts and sciences, and over the years, the charitable organization has donated to hundreds of projects.

As part of this work, Blavatnik made a £50 million donation to the Tate Modern gallery in London in 2011, which is the largest donation in the history of the gallery. As a result, the gallery named one of its new wings the Blavatnik Building in honor of his contribution and dedication to supporting the arts. Blavatnik also offers prestigious scholarships for the sciences with some of the world’s most revered education establishments, including Harvard University and Harvard Medical School. His work has helped to preserve many great items of literature and art, as well as furthering our understanding of the world. 

Dame Stephanie Shirley

Originally an unaccompanied child refugee from Germany, Stephanie Shirley went on to launch Freelance Programmers, which later became F International. The company aimed to eliminate the sexism Shirley, who was now married to a physicist and went by the name Steve to deter those who judged her based on her gender, had experienced in her previous roles at other companies. The business was a huge success, and through her vocal support of women in the workplace, Shirley went on to change the way the world viewed her gender. 

She’s now a motivational speaker, business expert and philanthropist who created the Shirley Foundation, an organization that was dedicated to supporting those with autism and funding projects to help improve our awareness and understanding of the condition. She now manages Autistica, the UK’s national autism research charity, which she also founded. 

Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. (Stormzy)

Known professionally as Stormzy, Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. is a British rapper who is deeply committed to using his platform and money to support others. As a liberal individual who endorsed Jeremy Corbyn in 2016, the rapper has given a significant amount of money to charity over the years, aiming to support young black people and help them to achieve the success they deserve. 

He also runs a charity called #MERKY Foundation, which aims to support the black community and provide talented individuals with support and opportunities. It also amplifies the voices of those who are against racism and bigotry. Through Penguin Publishers, the rapper also has a book publishing imprint called #MERKY Books, which published his first book as well as a range of others from up and coming black writers. 

Paris Lees

Journalist, campaigner, activist, author and philanthropist Paris Lees has a varied career and is dedicated to supporting trans and LGBTQIA+ rights in the UK and around the world. Having experienced sex work, the UK’s prison system and the way trans people are treated throughout her life, Lees has dedicated her time and money to supporting causes that educate the populous on the struggles that many trans individuals go through and helping those in need to get their lives back on track. 

Over the years, Lees has worked with many charitable organizations and projects, including All About The Trans, a project that brings together media professionals with members of the trans community

for meaningful and informative conversations. She’s also a vocal supporter of Stonewall, the pioneering LGBTQIA+ charity and works hard to raise awareness and funds for a variety of other causes, so that sex workers, members of the trans community and all those in need throughout the UK can get the help, support and understanding they deserve. 

Philanthropy is a unique approach to changing the world by giving time, energy and money to good causes. These successful European philanthropists are helping to make the world a better place in 2022 and beyond, helping us to achieve a better tomorrow for everyone.