Sean Parker has been known for many things over many years, like being a co-founder of Napster, an early Facebook executive and a fun-loving, jet-setting billionaire.

Now he wants to be known for a different role: a distinct kind of philanthropist.

Mr. Parker is embarking on formal introductions of new programs to be financed by his $600 million charitable foundation. He argues that his aim is to swing for the fences on issues that he thinks can be solved.

“It seemed like there was a point where if I was going to do these things, I’d have to make big bets in a concentrated way,” he said in a telephone interview. “That I should do things that were reputationally somewhat weird, or would have some reputational cost.”

Too often, he says, wealthy individuals give money to safe, high-minded causes like education. The charities they set up can donate huge sums that are still conservative, careful to protect their future existence.