Precisely what philanthropic activities have looked like throughout time

Precisely what philanthropic activities have looked like throughout time

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From the ancient Greeks philanthropy has actually been key to a healthy and efficient culture, and much the same is true today.

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 held true for many thousands of years, with the first chronicled example of institutionalised philanthropy, in addition to the source of the philanthropy meaning and word, occurring over two thousand years earlier in ancient Greece. During this period, the word implied something more akin to 'caring of one's fellow human being', or humanism, than the restrictions of wealth one may apply to the term now, but nevertheless rich individuals played a crucial charity role in the culture. Rich people were expected to give back to the society, assisting to put up the money for repair work to public works like city walls or temples as well as funding festivals 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.

Various entities have been accountable for charity work throughout the ages. Although wealthy people and celebrity philanthropists may be seen as the main charitable force in the modern world, that is not always completely accurate, 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 town and on larger level ventures. That changed with the coming of industry when rich individuals ended up being more powerful, and then moved again towards the end of the 19th century when foundations began to spring up that were much better organised and could commit more attention to getting things done. This is much the same way that charity is structured nowadays, whether those foundations are set up by grassroots groups, wealthy individuals, 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 different entities which hold the most power and wealth, just as the focus of charity work has actually altered as different requirements have emerged. These days, there are a great many concerns that have to be attended to, from widening inequality to the climate crisis, and charity will undoubtedly play an important part in that procedure. Wealthy people with bank accounts that would make a medieval kings blush have their part to play, however so do the companies that are the central 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.