History of Philanthropy
Introduction
The phrase “philanthropy” stems from the Greek word “philanthropia,” which means “loving people(Croucher, 2017).” In the modern age, the practice of philanthropy is inclusive of voluntary giving by either groups or individuals, all for promoting the common good. Also, it covers the formal act of making grants to nonprofit organizations(Barman, 2017). Today, philanthropy serves the purpose of improving the welfare of humankind and solving societal issues. The difference between charity and philanthropy is that the former focuses on eradicating suffering caused by social problems, while the latter aims at destroying the issues completely. This paper provides an overview of the history of philanthropy in the U.S. and the globe, citing its origins and popularity in social and cultural dynamics. Further, it evaluates the major players in philanthropic activities and highlights the contribution of philanthropic figures in the U.S. history.
Overview
Philanthropy dates back thousands of years and it was traditionally practiced for varying reasons. Some individuals used the practice to promote the common good, while for others, it was a route to fame, recognition, and power. In medieval times, Chinese families provided finances to the unprivileged in society, including orphans, widows, and elderly persons. Likewise, in the Bible, the Hebrews offered one-tenth of their gain to God and the needy in the community. Egyptian rulers also gave back to society to appease the gods and to secure a good afterlife. Over the centuries, religious beliefs have changed people’s perception about the practice of philanthropy. Religious system influence help to defined what can be regarded as “moral.” Therefore, its necessary to note that religion has played an integral role in defining philanthropy in both traditional and modern societies.
In the U.S., Native Americans were the first philanthropists, and they were primarily motivated by the concern for the common good. The arrival of Europeans triggered the philanthropic traits of the Native communities as they handed the former equipment and knowledge required for survival. The colonization of America also expanded the practice, as Europeans expanded their interest in religion, charity, and giving back to society. European philanthropists provided Americans with education, schools, and “civilization” centers. Before mid-19th century, philanthropic activities in the U.S were solely driven by religion and morality. Events like the “Great Awakening” in the 18th century encouraged individualism and blemished the power and influence of churches(Quirion, 2015). Consequently, Americans began practicing philanthropy outside church domains, which popularized philanthropy in all levels of society.
At the end of the Civil War, the practices of charity and philanthropy had grown rapidly. Reformers opted to develop philanthropy as a science to help streamline patterns of giving. They associated the new dynamics with Social Darwinism, which maintains that social problems stemmed from an innate inability of the poor to be successful. Therefore, charity reformers advocated for a new system where the poor were supervised closely to improve their lives. The post-civil war period left a significant portion of Americans so rich, that they couldn’t exhaust their finances. Figures John D. Rockefeller has a strong sense of charity and they created foundations to manage their vast wealth. The act was a defining moment for philanthropy in the U.S, as it encouraged the integration of professionalism.
Major Players
Since its inception, philanthropy has been mostly practiced by leaders,organizations, wealthy individuals,and prominent families in society(Croucher, 2017).In Asia, wealthy Chinese families provided financial aid to the poor and elderly in the community. Likewise, Egyptian Pharaohs gave back to society, but their motives were relatively more selfish. They participated in philanthropy to appease their gods and to secure a happy after life. In ancient U.S. society, figures like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie brought a new age of professionalism in philanthropy, by setting up charity foundations that are still active.
Today, figures like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Azim Premji are amongst the most philanthropic individuals on the globe. Over the years, they have provided grants to various sectors around the globe, including healthcare, sanitation, education, and disease prevention. Further, most wealthy individuals extend their helping hand by setting upphilanthropic foundations, which have a grater reach to needy communities. Private organizations continue to grow their philanthropic activity globally, and their grants are growing in importance by the day. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Ford Foundation are amongst the most philanthropic organizations globally.
Carnegie and Rockefeller
The philanthropic activities of Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller remain to be the most captivating events of the modern age. Unlike modern figures, who might be driven to philanthropy by society expectations, Carnegie and Rockefeller had a natural and innate urge to give back to society. For instance, Carnegie believed that a wealthy man’s life comprised of two phases; gaining riches and using the wealth to improve the wellbeing of society. True to his word, at the peak of his apogee, Carnegie established the Carnegie Institute and became known as the “patron saint of libraries(CarnegieCorporation, 2016).” Likewise, at the downfall of Standard Oil, Rockefeller set up charitable institutes, where he gave away a huge slice of his vast wealth. Despite probable differences in motives, both Carnegies and Rockefeller birthed a dynasty of philanthropy that extends to the present day.
Reflection
Philanthropy is and will continue being an integral component of a democratic society. Technically, the practice is distinct from charity as it focuses primarily on eradicating challenges in society. I have an unending passion for fundraising and philanthropy as they support projects like libraries and scientific research, which benefit different communities and the globe at large. Further, philanthropic efforts support endeavors that could be considered too controversial to be supported by governments or the general public. Philanthropy is essential in a democratic society as it provides numerous opportunities and voices the needs of minorities and the disadvantaged in society. Despite the absence of vast wealth at the moment, I aspire to donate and improve the wellbeing of society and join the philanthropic sector. Today, technology provides new platforms and means of fundraising, which makes it easy to reach communities and donors.
References
Barman, E. (2017). The Social Bases of Philanthropy. Annual Review of Sociology, 43(22), 1-20.
CarnegieCorporation. (2016, May 5). Andrew Carnegie: A Legacy of Support for Public Libraries. Retrieved from Carnegie Corporation of New York: https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/andrew-carnegie-legacy-support-public-libraries/
Croucher, J. (2017). Corporate and Private Philanthropy in the USA. Journal of International Business and Economics, 17(4) , 13-18.
Quirion, K. T. (2015). The First Great Awakening: Revival and the Birth of a Nation. Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History, 2(3), 1-14.