Philanthropic organizations have existed since the [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greeks]] and [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]. The practice was preserved by the [[Christian]] [[Church]] throughout the [[Middle Ages]] while [[Islam]] threatened to destroy Western civilization. | Philanthropic organizations have existed since the [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greeks]] and [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]. The practice was preserved by the [[Christian]] [[Church]] throughout the [[Middle Ages]] while [[Islam]] threatened to destroy Western civilization. |