Meaning of the Pali word: "Dana"

Dana is not payment for goods or services rendered; it is given from the heart.

By Phillip Moffitt

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Dana (generosity) Practice
In the Buddhist tradition, the teachings are given freely because they are considered priceless; in the Buddhist tradition we also practice dana, or generosity, by making monetary offerings for the teachings. Dana is not payment for goods or services rendered; it is given from the heart. Your generosity is a gift that supports not just the teachers, but also the Sangha, the larger Dharma community, and your own practice.

The definition of "Dana" from  "A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist Terms"  (permission granted for publication)
dana [daana]: Giving, liberality; offering, alms. Specifically, giving of any of the four requisites to the monastic order. More generally, the inclination to give, without expecting any form of repayment from the recipient. Dana is the first theme in the Buddha's system of gradual training, the first of the ten paramis, one of the seven treasures, and the first of the three grounds for meritorious action.   The complete glossary, may be found on the Web at: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/glossary.html.

For a more complete understanding of "Dana" read The Gift of Generosity.