Charity is not a modern phenomenon by any means, but has an abundant and evolving history that stretches over 2 thousands years.
One might, when one hears the word philanthropy, instantly 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 lots of thousands of years, with the first documented example of institutionalised philanthropy, as well as the source of the philanthropy meaning and word, taking place over 2 thousand years ago in ancient Greece. Throughout this duration, the word meant something more akin to 'loving of one's fellow human being', or humanism, than the constraints of wealth one may apply to the term today, but nonetheless rich people played a crucial charity role in the culture. Wealthy people were expected to give back to the community, assisting to install the money for repairs to public works like city walls or temples as well as financing celebrations and other public celebrations. Being stingy was not regarded well, and if a rich individual was not seen to be a philanthropist, they could be ostracised from the community entirely.
Various entities have actually been accountable for charity work throughout the ages. Although rich people and celebrity philanthropists might be seen as the central charitable force in the modern world, that is not necessarily entirely correct, nor has it been for much of history. In the middle ages, it was spiritual organizations like the church that would have been the primary charitable centers, both within the town and on bigger level undertakings. That altered with the coming of industry when wealthy individuals became more powerful, and then shifted again towards the end of the nineteenth century when foundations began to spring up that were better organised and could devote more attention to getting things done. This is much the same way that charity is structured these days, whether those foundations are set up by grassroots groups, wealthy people, or businesses like SJP.
The manner in which charity has actually been financed has actually altered a lot 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 actually altered as various requirements have actually emerged. Nowadays, there are a great many concerns that need to be resolved, from growing inequality to the environment crisis, and charity will undoubtedly play a crucial part in that procedure. 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 central hubs of financial generation in the twenty-first century through things like corporate philanthropy. Whether that is setting up a foundation of their own or establishing ESG commitments, companies like Morgan Stanley and Vanguard Group are starting to do so.