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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From the ancient Greeks philanthropy has actually been key to a healthy and productive culture, and much the same holds true nowadays.

One might, when one hears the word philanthropy, immediately think of a handful of famous philanthropists who are well known for giving away their fortunes to causes that they appreciate. This is something that has been the case for many thousands of years, with the very first documented instance of institutionalised philanthropy, along with the inception of the philanthropy meaning and word, happening over two thousand years earlier in ancient Greece. Throughout this period, the word suggested something more comparable to 'loving of one's fellow human', or humanism, than the limitations of wealth one might apply to the term today, but nonetheless rich individuals played a crucial charity role in the culture. Wealthy people were expected to give back to the society, helping to install the cash for repair work to public works like city walls or temples in addition to financing celebrations and other public celebrations. Being pinchpenny was not looked upon well, and if a rich person was not seen to be a benefactor, they could be ostracised from the community altogether.

Several entities have been responsible for charity work throughout the ages. Although rich individuals and celebrity philanthropists might be seen as the central charitable force in the modern world, that is not always entirely correct, nor has it been for much of history. In the middle ages, it was religious organizations like the church that would have been the main charitable centers, both within the community and on bigger level projects. That altered with the coming of industry when wealthy people became more powerful, and after that shifted once again towards the end of the nineteenth century when foundations started to emerge that were better set up and could dedicate more attention to getting things done. This is much the same manner in which charity is structured today, whether those foundations are created by grassroots groups, wealthy people, or firms like SJP.

The way that charity has actually been funded has actually altered a good deal throughout the course of human history, moving in between various entities which hold the most power and wealth, just as the focus of charity work has altered as various needs have actually emerged. Today, there are a great many problems that need to be dealt with, from rising inequality to the climate crisis, and charity will inevitably play an essential part in that process. Wealthy people with bank accounts that would make a medieval kings blush have their part to play, however so do the firms that are the main hubs of financial generation in the 21st century through things like corporate philanthropy. Whether that is setting up a foundation of their own or establishing ESG dedications, businesses like Morgan Stanley and Vanguard Group are starting to do so.