Ways in which philanthropy work has operated over the last two thousand years

Ways in which philanthropy work has operated over the last two thousand years

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Ever since the ancient Greeks philanthropy has actually been fundamental to a healthy and efficient culture, and similar holds true today.

One might, when one hears the word philanthropy, instantly consider a handful of famous philanthropists who are well known for handing out their fortunes to causes that they care about. This is something that has actually held true for many thousands of years, with the first documented instance of institutionalised philanthropy, as well as the source of the philanthropy meaning and word, happening over two thousand years ago in ancient Greece. Throughout this duration, the word implied something more comparable to 'caring of one's fellow human being', or humanism, than the restrictions of wealth one may apply to the term these days, however nonetheless wealthy people played an important charity role in the culture. Rich people were expected to give back to the society, helping to put up the money for repairs to public works like city walls or temples as well as funding festivals and other public celebrations. Being pinchpenny was not regarded well, and if a rich person was not seen to be a philanthropist, they could be ostracised from the community entirely.

Several entities have been accountable for charity work throughout the ages. Although rich individuals and celebrity philanthropists may be seen as the central charitable force in the modern world, that is not always totally true, nor has it been for much of history. In the middle ages, it was spiritual organizations like the church that would have been the primary charitable centers, both within the community and on larger level undertakings. That changed with the coming of industry when wealthy people became more powerful, and then moved once again towards the end of the 19th century when foundations started to spring up that were much better organised and could dedicate more attention to getting things done. This is much the same manner in which charity is structured these days, whether those foundations are set up by grassroots groups, rich individuals, or companies like SJP.

The manner in which charity has been financed has actually changed a lot throughout the course of human history, moving in between different entities which hold the most power and wealth, just as the focus of charity work has actually changed as various needs have actually emerged. These days, there are a great many issues that have to be resolved, from increasing inequality to the environment crisis, and charity will undoubtedly play an important part in that procedure. Wealthy individuals with savings account that would make a middle ages kings blush have their part to play, but so do the businesses that are the main centers of financial generation in the twenty-first century through things like corporate philanthropy. Whether that is establishing a foundation of their own or developing ESG commitments, companies like Morgan Stanley and Vanguard Group are starting to do so.