Exploring philanthropy examples across the eras

Exploring philanthropy examples across the eras

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Philanthropy has long been a central part of a fair and prosperous culture, but the way that it works has altered for many years.

One might, when one hears the word philanthropy, quickly 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 very first documented instance of institutionalised philanthropy, along with the inception of the philanthropy meaning and word, occurring over 2 thousand years back in ancient Greece. During this duration, the word indicated something more akin to 'caring of one's fellow person', or humanism, than the restrictions of wealth one may apply to the term these days, however nevertheless 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 along with financing celebrations and other public celebrations. Being pinchpenny was not regarded well, and if a rich individual was not seen to be a philanthropist, they could be ostracised from the society altogether.

Several entities have been accountable for charity work throughout the ages. Although wealthy people and celebrity philanthropists may be viewed as the central charitable force in the contemporary world, that is not always completely true, nor has it been for much of history. In the middle ages, it was spiritual institutions 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 19th century when foundations began to emerge that were better set up and could devote more attention to getting things done. This is much the same manner in which charity is structured nowadays, whether those foundations are set up by grassroots groups, rich individuals, or businesses like SJP.

The way that charity has been financed has actually changed a good deal throughout the course of human history, moving between different entities which hold the most power and wealth, just as the focus of charity work has actually changed as different requirements have emerged. These days, there are a great many concerns that have to be dealt with, from growing inequality to the climate crisis, and charity will inevitably play a crucial role in that process. Rich people with bank accounts that would make a middle ages kings blush have their part to play, however so do the companies that are the central centers of monetary generation in the twenty-first century through things like corporate philanthropy. Whether that is setting up a foundation of their own or developing ESG dedications, companies like Morgan Stanley and Vanguard Group are starting to do so.