goodwill offering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "goodwill offering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a donation or contribution made voluntarily, often to support a cause or organization, without expecting anything in return. Example: "The church held a special service to collect goodwill offerings for the local food bank."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It may help that the parents always return to find safe chicks -- and a goodwill offering of fish from the Department of Environmental Protection's hatchery.

The New York Times

When my brother, sister and I, went off to college, among the first from our congregation to do so, the church took up a goodwill offering to help us along the way.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Israeli government said it had shown "goodwill" by offering to pay Tom Hurndall's medical and repatriation costs.

The Guardian

President Barack Obama visited Delhi a month ago and earned much goodwill by offering hearty support for India's bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council (China is distinctly lukewarm).

The Economist

Time now, therefore, to renew, to re-engage with our radical roots, to reach out and engage those of goodwill in offering a genuinely progressive agenda, laying aside the artificial division of old Labour and Blairism.

The Guardian - Opinion

While Microsoft generated a ton of goodwill by offering Windows 10 as a free upgrade, that period of generosity has expired.

Forbes

But moving from the goodwill of offering a free breach check — with the stated aim of helping raise the general standard of security among web users — to accepting money from a company to encourage people to subscribe to its (security) service is a new, more clearly commercial direction.

TechCrunch

That way, you get a cash-flow boost and gain potential new customers and goodwill for offering low rates.

HuffPost

Retailers are under no obligation to accept returns unless they are faulty, but, luckily, most now provide a "goodwill" returns policy offering an exchange, refund or credit note over the Christmas period.

The Guardian - Money

Due to the exceptional circumstances, as a gesture of goodwill we are offering all passengers a complimentary return flight with Virgin Atlantic for use at a later date.

HuffPost

But a team that the country can rally around could help Kim buy some goodwill internally while offering the rest of the world a view of the North Korean citizenry that's not malnourished.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the situation; while grammatically correct, "goodwill offering" may sound somewhat archaic in modern contexts. Use more modern synonyms such as voluntary donation if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "goodwill offering" when there's an expectation of direct benefit or return for the offering, as it implies a purely voluntary and generous gesture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "goodwill offering" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting a voluntary donation or contribution. As Ludwig AI states, it highlights a generous intent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "goodwill offering" is a noun phrase signifying a voluntary donation or contribution, often used to express generosity or support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is relatively rare, it's understood across various contexts, though primarily found in News & Media. For modern usage, consider more common synonyms like "voluntary donation" to avoid sounding archaic. When using the phrase, ensure that the context emphasizes the voluntary nature of the act, distinguishing it from obligatory payments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voluntary donation

Focuses on the act of donating without expectation of return.

charitable contribution

Highlights the charitable aspect of the offering.

free gift

Emphasizes the gratuitous nature of the offering.

voluntary contribution

Highlights the action is made without compulsion.

gratuity

A sum of money given to someone as a token of appreciation.

voluntary payment

Describes the offering as a payment made willingly.

spontaneous gift

Highlights the act is impulsive and voluntary.

unsolicited donation

Describes the donation as not being requested.

token of goodwill

Highlights the meaning of the offering as symbol of goodwill.

expression of goodwill

More broad, focus on the expression of goodwill and not on its materialization.

FAQs

What does "goodwill offering" mean?

A "goodwill offering" is a voluntary contribution or donation, often made to show support or generosity without expecting anything in return.

Are there modern alternatives to "goodwill offering"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "voluntary donation", "charitable contribution", or simply "donation".

When is it appropriate to use the term "goodwill offering"?

It is appropriate when emphasizing the voluntary and benevolent nature of a contribution, often in contexts like religious or charitable settings.

How does a "goodwill offering" differ from a regular payment?

A "goodwill offering" is given freely and without obligation, whereas a regular payment is typically required in exchange for goods or services.