In the world of contemporary international philanthropy, three significant factors are greatly impacting the sector and organizations.

United Nations

One factor has been the establishment of the United Nations (flag at right) with delegates of 51 countries. Brought together in 1945, the UN's purpose it to monitor human rights, to provide relief and assistance, and to create programs to improve the human condition.

The purpose of creating the United Nations (UN) was to to preserve peace through collective security and international cooperation. At the start of 2004, 191 countries belonged to the UN. Member nations contribute funds to the United Nations.

UN agencies provide aid to people all over the world, distributing funds through programs. The contributions are examples of philanthropy by individual countries to help other countries.

Civil Society Sector Organizations

Many philanthropic causes are undertaken by nonprofits, also called civil society sector organizations, from health care, environment preservation or community living, just to name a couple.

Thanks to the World Wide Web, these organizations have been able to coordinate their activities more effectively and efficiently. Support can be given electronically, large numbers of
individuals can be informed regarding the organization’s work, and members can be quickly alerted to lobby governments and corporations.

Civil society sector organizations have had an impact on international business leaders. For instance, the World Wildlife Fund has influenced Chevron Oil Company in its worldwide program to protect the environment.

Wealthy Individuals as International Philanthropists

The 20th century saw many individuals give their personal fortunes for charitable purposes: Andrew Carnegie, W.K. Kellogg, Eli Lilly, John D. Rockefeller, Charles Stewart Mott, Henry Ford, Madame C.J. Walker, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur, as well as others.

Since the 1980s there has been a steady increase in the number of wealthy individuals who have given large amounts of wealth for international philanthropy. Some of these new philanthropists include Ted Turner, George Soros, and Bill and Melinda Gates.

Ted Turner’s support of the United Nations will be used for a number of international programs. The Open Society Institute, funded by Soros, has effectively started programs improving democratic government and civil society in Eastern Europe and Russia. The Gates Foundation primarily supports projects in health and education, such as developing a vaccine against malaria.

There is no doubt these contributors are making a difference with their philanthropic acts.

 

Conclusion

As far as we know, philanthropy, or giving to help others, has been present for all of human history. Philanthropy is often viewed as one thing that makes people uniquely human. There is satisfaction in helping others, and in some cultures it is an expected part of traditions. Families, villages, extended families, cultural groups, and even complete strangers give willingly of their money, services, and time.

Individuals of modest or little means give most of the world's philanthropy. Most of the philanthropy given is time and service. People provide service to their communities and to each other each no matter where they live. Religious traditions inform us that this has been going on for at least three millennia. Religious faith brought people together who focused on their right to exist beyond the power of the state or crown to control.

This organization around principles of faith has carved out a “social space” in many nations that has become the philanthropic sector. Philanthropy continues to play an important role in the civil society of the newest millennium.

Quoted from Civic Ideals and the Giving Society