Checking out philanthropy examples over the ages

Checking out philanthropy examples over the ages

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Ever since the ancient Greeks philanthropy has been fundamental to a healthy and efficient culture, and similar 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 actually 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 ago in ancient Greece. Throughout this period, the word meant 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, however nevertheless rich people played an important charity role in the culture. Rich people were expected to give back to the community, assisting to set up the money for repairs to public works like city walls or temples as well as funding festivals and other public events. Being stingy was not regarded well, and if a wealthy individual was not seen to be a benefactor, they could be ostracised from the community completely.

Various entities have actually been accountable for charity work throughout the ages. Although wealthy people and celebrity philanthropists may be seen as the main charitable force in the contemporary 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 community and on bigger level projects. That altered with the coming of industry when wealthy people became more powerful, and after that shifted again towards the end of the 19th century when foundations began to emerge that were 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 businesses like SJP.

The manner in which charity has been funded has actually changed 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 addressed, from rising inequality to the environment 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 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 beginning to do so.