# 10 Latin words that fundraisers use every day

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/09/16/10-latin-words-fundraisers-use-every-day/
- Published: 2014-09-16T11:07:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The launch of the [fundraising think tank Rogare](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/2014/04/01/fundraising-think-tank-bring-new-thinking-fundraising-disciplines/)
this year reminds us that Latin words underpin many aspects of fundraising. ‘Rogare’
means ‘to ask’, from ‘rogo’ meaning ‘I ask’. Rogo, rogare, rogavi, rogatum, for 
those that learned first conjugation Latin verbs.**

![Definition of Latin word 'rogare'](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2014/09/
latin-rogare.jpg)

There’s more than one way ‘to ask’ in Latin

Here are 10 Latin words whose modern English derivations are still used every day
in fundraising.

## Advertisement

## 1. Dono

From which we derive ‘donor’, ‘one who gives’. Note the sense of ‘to sacrifice’ –
some charities emphasise this element more than others e.g. The Salvation Army’s‘
self denial’ fundraising campaigns, and the religious notion of tithing.

![English translation of the Latin word 'dono'](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/
2014/09/latin-dono.jpg)

English translation of the Latin word ‘dono’

## ⏎ 2. Benevolentia

Benevolence, benevolent societies.

![Benevolentia in the Latin to English dictionary](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.
cloud/2014/09/latin-benevolentia.jpg)

The English meaning of benevolentia.

## ⏎ 3. Bonus

Meaning ‘good’, from which we get ‘pro bono’ – ‘for the [common] good’, or nowadays‘
donated professional advice and services’.

![The Latin word 'bonus'](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2014/09/latin-bonus.
jpg)

Oh good. The Latin word ‘bonus’.

## ⏎ 4. Caritas

From which we derive ‘charity’. I like the meaning of ‘dearness, high price’: charity
is indeed valuable.

![The Latin word 'caritas' in a Latin to English dictionary](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.
cloud/2014/09/latin-caritas.jpg)

Caritas translated into English

## 5. Debitor

A debtor, from which we get ‘direct debit’, the lifeblood of regular giving that
sustains many charities.

![The Latin word 'debitor' in a dictionary](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/
2014/09/latin-debitor.jpg)

Debitor – what it means in English

## ⏎ 6. Donatio

Note that the noun from which ‘donation’ derives comes from the verb dono (see 1.
above), to grant or present.

![The Latin word 'donatio' in a Latin to English dictionary](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.
cloud/2014/09/latin-donatio.jpg)

Donatio translated from Latin to English.

## ⏎ 7. Humanitas

More commonly ‘humanity’ but notice how ‘kindness’ and philanthropy’ are alternative
definitions. Philanthropy is humanity.

!['Humanitas' in a Latin to English dictionary](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/
2014/09/latin-humanitas.jpg)

‘Humanitas’ defined in English

## ⏎ 8. Legatus

A legacy or bequest. The word ‘legator’ is still in use today in many charities’
will packs or promotions.

!['Legatum' in a Latin to English dictionary](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/
2014/09/latin-legatum.jpg)

The meaning of ‘legatum’

## ⏎ 9. Lego

No, not the Danish toy company, but the verb meaning ‘I bequeath’.

![An English definition of the Latin word 'lego'](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.
cloud/2014/09/latin-lego.jpg)

Lego. And what the Latin word means in English.

## ⏎ 10. Maior (or major)

The comparative of magnus (or ‘great, large’). It is the word which we use now in‘
major gift’ or ‘major donor’. Despite a few huge charitable donations we haven’t
yet started using the phrase ‘maximum gift’.

![Definition of Latin word 'maior'](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2014/09/
latin-maior.jpg)

Definition of Latin word ‘maior’. One up from magnus.

## ⏎ 11. Data

And as a _bonus_ word, let’s end with ‘data’, which underpins many successful fundraising
appeals and will drive very many more.

It comes, so appropriately for fundraisers, from ‘do’ meaning “to give, offer”. 
It is the plural of ‘datum’, meaning ‘something given’.
 

![The Latin word 'datum' from which we get 'data'](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.
cloud/2014/09/latin-datum.jpg)

‘Data’ is the plural of ‘datum’

 * **[Words that help and hinder fundraising efforts on online giving sites revealed](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/12/10/words-that-help-hinder-fundraising-efforts-on-online-giving-sites-revealed/)(
   10 December 2019) **
 * **[‘Data is’ or ‘data are’? The FT has a comment](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/02/14/data-is-or-data-are-ft-has-a-comment/)(
   14 February 2023)**