THE GIVERS
Philanthropist: An adult with an ethically earned net annual income of at least $1 million, who dedicates a minimum of 10% of that income to causes beyond their immediate family.
Philanthroteen: A teenager with an ethically earned net annual income of at least $100,000, who dedicates a minimum of 10% of that income to causes beyond their immediate family.
Philanthrokid: A child with an ethically earned net annual income of at least $1,000, who dedicates a minimum of 10% of that income to causes beyond their immediate family.
Philicorn: A philanthropist who has made a single donation of at least one billion dollars to a single cause. Someone who donates one billion dollars to the Universal Project is honoured as a Givingtide Philicorn.
Philaxima: A distinguished member of the global top 1% in generosity—philanthropists, nations, corporations, or foundations who set world-leading benchmarks for giving relative to their capacity.
“Ethically earned” means earned through lawful, ethical, and environmentally responsible activities.
“Net annual income” refers to self-reported total funds available after taxes and compulsory deductions.
Philanthropists, Philanthroteens, or Philanthrokids can apply for a charter at givingtide.org/chartered-giver
Philanthrope: A person of any age with income below the set thresholds, who devotes 10% to causes beyond family.
THE CONNECTORS
Philadvocate: The dedicated grassroots supporters and mobilizers—Givingtide’s “foot soldiers.” Philadvocates actively promote, organize, and engage communities in support of the Givingtide mission, driving awareness and participation from the ground up through awareness campaigns, outreach efforts, and volunteerism.
Philistar: A celebrity or public influencer recognized by Givingtide with a social or media reach of one billion people or more. Philistars leverage their platforms to elevate Givingtide and extend its message to vast global audiences.
Philuminary: A luminary (distinguished leader, intellectual, or professional) who serves as a strategic bridge between grassroots advocacy and institutional leadership. Positioned between Philadvocates and Philivoices, Philuminaries elevate the Givingtide movement through thought leadership, high-impact advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Their “one-in-a-million” global population model—ensuring the total number of Philuminaries worldwide shall normally not exceed one for every one million people—confers rare prestige and exclusivity upon those whose ethical influence legitimizes and scales the 1-1-1 Framework.
Philivoice: A distinguished individual officially appointed by Givingtide to serve as an authoritative national or global voice for the movement. Philivoices represent Givingtide’s values and advocacy, with three or more appointed per nation. Their role is to articulate, champion, and amplify the Givingtide movement.
THE MAVENS
Philanthrocrat: the chief executive officer of a foundation or non-profit organization with an annual philanthropic budget (excluding running costs) of at least $1 million.
Philanthrolist: A professional who designs, manages, or oversees philanthropic grants, corporate social investments, or sustainability programs for any nations, institutions or businesses.
GIVINGTIDERS
↓↑Givingtide (↓↑G): Givingtide is a voluntary commitment by nations (1% of GNI), corporations (1% of pre-tax revenue), and foundations (1% of endowment or grants) to devote a core 1% annually to the world’s poorest 10%—the Core 1% Equity Giving (CEG), while directing at least 1% of CEG to another continent (Cross-Continental Giving), and contributing part of their CEG to an annual world-changing initiative ( the Universal Project).
↓↑Givingtide International (↓↑GI): Givingtide International is a global movement to promote the Givingtide. The movement is rooted in the belief that modest shared generosity can drive transformative change. It invites nations (1% of GNI), corporations (1% of pre-tax revenue), and foundations (1% of endowment or grants) to devote a core 1% annually to the world’s poorest 10%—the Core 1% Equity Giving (CEG), their sole financial commitment. Institutions “join the tide” by embracing all three pillars of the 1-1-1 Framework: the Core 1% itself; Cross-Continental Giving, directing at least 1% of CEG to another continent to replace paternalism with reciprocity; and the Universal Project, an annual world-changing initiative selected through open competition, to which institutions are warmly encouraged—but never required—to contribute from their Core 1%.
Givingtider: A Givingtider is any Institution which has “joined the tide” by embracing all three pillars of the 1-1-1 Framework – devoting 1% of annual resources to the world’s 10% poorest (Core Equity Giving or CEG); directing at least 1% of CEG to another continent (Cross-Continental-Giving); and supporting the Universal Project, an annual world-changing initiative selected through open competition, to which institutions are warmly encouraged—but never required—to contribute from their Core 1%.
HONORARY INSTITUTION STATUS
Although Givingtide is principally aligned with institutions—nations, corporations, foundations, and organizations dedicated to systemic change—we recognize that there are extraordinary individuals whose personal commitment or resources rise to an institutional level. Givingtide celebrates these inspiring givers. Accordingly, Givingtide grants Chartered Status to select individuals who meet the rigorous Titular Standard—committing a minimum of 10% of their net income— and whose lives exemplify excellence in ethics, equity, and empathy. These changemakers are distinguished as Honorary Institutions within the Givingtide movement.
Any individual who qualifies as a Philanthropist, Philanthroteen, or Philanthrokid as defined by Givingtide may, by application and review, be chartered as an Honorary Institution and join the Tide in their own right—becoming a Chartered Philanthropist, Chartered Philanthroteen, or Chartered Philanthrokid.
Upon approval, individuals granted Chartered Status are entitled to sign the Tide in their own right and will be listed separately from institutional members in public materials, unless they specifically request anonymity. They will receive a formal charter and the designation “Honorary Institution” for use in communications, with rights of participation in governance and public representation defined in their charter.
This honorary recognition not only honors their exceptional generosity but also amplifies their influence, inspiring broader participation in Givingtide’s mission of shared global prosperity.
The terms “Chartered Status,” “Honorary Institution,” “Chartered Philanthropist,” “Chartered Philanthroteen,” and “Chartered Philanthrokid” are distinct but related: Chartered Status is the formal signatory category; Honorary Institution is the recognition conferred; and the three Chartered titles identify the individuals who sign the tide.
“A Rising Tide for Every Life”