As civilisation has actually developed across the world, so has the manner in which people and organisations help those in need.

The majority of us will acknowledge and appreciate the role that famous philanthropists play in helping the world in this day and age, passing on their hard-earned fortunes to assist those who require it most. For a great deal of the wealthiest individuals and organisations these days, charity is a chance to put their earnings towards an excellent cause. This is not just something limited to the twenty-first century either, it has been the case for thousands of years. Charity and altruism were considered a main part of a good life and a healthy society, with the Ancient Greeks thinking philanthropy to be vital to functioning democracy. It was here that the word itself came from, indicating 'man-loving' in its initial shape. It was viewed as a requirement of the wealthy to share their wealth for the wellbeing of the community, with rich residents assisting with public causes like the maintenance of temples and city walls or financing public celebrations. We may not call it a requirement as such today, however those who do not engage with charity in any form will certainly see their reputations suffer.

As one might expect of anything over the course of two thousand years, philanthropy meaning has evolved throughout the ages, and so has its focus. Following the middle ages, the main source of philanthropic duty moved from religious organizations like the church to rich people. Simultaneously, the focus of philanthropy moved towards the towns and cities rather from the impoverished countryside. Throughout the following centuries, business owners undertook a sense of obligation towards those in need, particularly during and after periods of war and upheaval which left many families struggling. Towards the end of the 19th century we began to see the establishment of philanthropic businesses like foundations to help handle huge concerns, similar to the one developed by SJP now.

Throughout the most tough minutes in human history, charity has actually always been there to lend a helping hand to those in dire need. This was especially real throughout the twentieth century, when personal philanthropy continued to support troops throughout the World Wars and their families who were left behind. Throughout the 2nd World War in particular, foundations started to collaborate and became more professional. This is similar structure as charity work takes nowadays, with a network of business and people collaborating to finance and enact projects, although the variety and scope of humanitarian jobs is much more ambitious. Some foundations are taking on huge international concerns through their work, and corporate philanthropy is now the standard of contemporary business practices with companies like Vanguard Group and Morgan Stanley contributing to the process.