What philanthropic activities have actually looked like across time

What philanthropic activities have actually looked like across time

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Charity is not a modern phenomenon by any means, but has an abundant and progressing history that stretches over 2 thousands years.

One might, when one hears the word philanthropy, quickly think of a handful of famous philanthropists who are well known for handing out their fortunes to causes that they appreciate. This is something that has been the case for many thousands of years, with the very first recorded instance of institutionalised philanthropy, in addition to the genesis of the philanthropy meaning and word, occurring over two thousand years back in ancient Greece. Throughout this duration, the word meant something more similar to 'loving of one's fellow human being', or humanism, than the constraints of wealth one may apply to the term today, but nevertheless wealthy individuals played an essential charity role in the culture. Wealthy people were expected to give back to the community, helping to set up the cash for repairs to public works like city walls or temples in addition to financing festivals and other public celebrations. Being stingy was not regarded well, and if a rich individual was not seen to be a benefactor, they could be ostracised from the society entirely.

Various entities have been responsible for charity work throughout the ages. Although wealthy people and celebrity philanthropists might be viewed as the central charitable force in the modern world, that is not always totally accurate, nor has it been for much of history. In the middle ages, it was religious institutions like the church that would have been the primary charitable centers, both within the community and on bigger level undertakings. That changed with the coming of industry when rich individuals became more powerful, and after that shifted again towards the end of the 19th century when foundations began to emerge that were much better organised and could commit more attention to getting things done. This is much the same way that charity is structured today, whether those foundations are established by grassroots groups, rich individuals, or companies like SJP.

The manner in which charity has been financed has altered a great 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 changed as different requirements have emerged. Nowadays, there are a great many problems that need to be attended to, from widening 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 starting to do so.