Ever since the ancient Greeks philanthropy has been fundamental to a healthy and efficient culture, and much the same 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 held true for lots of thousands of years, with the first recorded example of institutionalised philanthropy, along with the inception of the philanthropy meaning and word, occurring over two thousand years earlier in ancient Greece. Throughout this period, the word suggested something more comparable to 'loving of one's fellow man', or humanism, than the limitations of wealth one might apply to the term nowadays, however nevertheless rich individuals played an important charity role in the culture. Rich people were expected to give back to the society, assisting to put up the money for repairs to public works like city walls or temples as well as funding festivals and other public celebrations. Being pinchpenny was not looked upon well, and if a rich individual was not seen to be a benefactor, they could be ostracised from the society altogether.

Several entities have been responsible for charity work throughout the ages. Although rich individuals and celebrity philanthropists might be seen as the main charitable force in the modern world, that is not always entirely 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 rich individuals ended up being more powerful, and then shifted once again towards the end of the nineteenth century when foundations started to emerge that were better set up and could devote more attention to getting things done. This is much the same manner in which charity is structured nowadays, whether those foundations are created by grassroots groups, wealthy people, or companies like SJP.

The manner in which charity has actually been funded has actually changed a good 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. Now, there are a great many issues that have to be resolved, from increasing inequality to the environment crisis, and charity will inevitably play an essential part in that process. Wealthy 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 beginning to do so.