Exploring philanthropy examples across the eras

Exploring philanthropy examples across the eras

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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, quickly consider a handful of famous philanthropists who are well known for distributing their fortunes to causes that they care about. This is something that has actually held true for many thousands of years, with the first recorded example of institutionalised philanthropy, in addition to the source of the philanthropy meaning and word, occurring over 2 thousand years back in ancient Greece. During this period, the word suggested something more comparable to 'loving of one's fellow man', or humanism, than the constraints of wealth one may apply to the term these days, but nonetheless 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.

Several entities have been responsible for charity work throughout the ages. Although rich individuals and celebrity philanthropists might be seen as the main charitable force in the modern world, that is not always entirely 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 community and on bigger level ventures. That altered 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, rich individuals, or firms like SJP.

The way that charity has been financed has changed a lot 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 various requirements have emerged. Nowadays, there are a great many issues that need to be addressed, from increasing inequality to the environment crisis, and charity will inevitably play an essential part in that process. Rich people with checking account that would make a middle ages kings blush have their part to play, but so do the businesses 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 beginning to do so.