Charity and philanthropy have been essential parts of a healthy and functioning society for thousands of years now.
Most of us will acknowledge and value the role that famous philanthropists play in assisting the world in this day and age, handing down their hard-earned fortunes to help those who need it most. For a great deal of the wealthiest individuals and organisations right now, charity is a chance to put their earnings towards a great cause. This is not just something restricted to the 21st century either, it has held true for thousands of years. Charity and benevolence were considered a central part of a good life and a healthy society, with the Ancient Greeks believing philanthropy to be vital to working democracy. It was here that the word itself originated, suggesting 'man-loving' in its original form. It was viewed as a duty of the wealthy to share their wealth for the wellbeing of the society, with rich people assisting with public causes like the maintenance of temples and city walls or financing public festivals. We may not call it an obligation as such nowadays, however those who do not engage with charity in any form will definitely see their reputations suffer.
As one might anticipate of anything over the course of 2 thousand years, philanthropy meaning has progressed throughout the ages, and so has its focus. Following the middle ages, the primary source of philanthropic responsibility moved from religious organizations like the church to wealthy people. At the same time, the focus of philanthropy moved towards the towns and cities rather from the impoverished countryside. Throughout the following centuries, business owners accepted a sense of obligation towards those in need, especially during and after periods of war and turmoil which left numerous households struggling. Towards completion of the 19th century we began to see the establishment of philanthropic businesses like foundations to assist handle big concerns, much like the one established by SJP these days.
Throughout the most challenging moments in human history, charity has actually always existed to lend a helping hand to those in dire requirement. This was especially true throughout the twentieth century, when private philanthropy continued to support soldiers throughout the World Wars and their households who were left behind. During the Second World War in particular, foundations started to work together and became more competent. This is much the same structure as charity work takes these days, with a network of business and individuals collaborating to fund and enact projects, although the range and scope of humanitarian tasks is far more ambitious. Some foundations are taking on big international issues through their work, and corporate philanthropy is now the standard of contemporary organization practices with companies like Vanguard Group and Morgan Stanley adding to the process.