Making donations to others but finish in debt! (8)

I believe the answer is:

endowing

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'making donations' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'finish in debt' is the wordplay.
'finish' becomes 'end' (synonyms).
'in debt' becomes 'owing' (I've seen this before).
'end'+'owing'='ENDOWING'

'to others but' acts as a link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for endowing that I've seen before include "Making donations" , "Presenting" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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