Charity is nothing new. In ancient Israel, a mandatory tax or tithe was taken to help those in need. Ancient Greeks considered philanthropy fundamental to democracy. The first Roman Emperor provided aid to thousands of people. Many other ancient civilizations also taught the importance of benevolence, kindness, and caring for those in need.
In 1601, the British parliament defined what could and could not be defined as charitable, and 42 years later the first American fundraising drive took place. Organized by Harvard University, the drive raised 500 pounds. In 1774, after a rather famous tea party, the British government punished Boston by imposing a blockade. With the city facing ruin, only the outpouring of American charity saved the city. Charity provided America’s first hospital, first orphanage and first school for the deaf. Even America’s most famous museum – the Smithsonian Institution–was established due to the charitable bequest of a British scientist. In 1904, Demark began to sell inexpensive Christmas seals to raise money, a method that allows even working class donors to contribute to a cause. The following year, formalized fundraising –including hiring a publicist and using corporate funds to pay for advertising–began and quickly spread.
