Giving voluntarily to those in need. Agape in action.
Evolution from love of God.
Direct charity in form of giving food, clothing, shelter, money, assistance etc. Indirect charity like teaching the poor to produce more food. Unbiased charity like respecting the rights of others and treating all people equally. Personal charity and corporate charities like foundations and government grants for development efforts or disaster relief (floods, fires, earthquakes, wars, refugees etc.).
Giving love, as an expression of affection, sympathetic interest, empathy or benevolence, is repeatedly identified as a powerful basis for interrelating people, whether individually, in small groups or communities, or at a more universal level.
Charity fosters dependence and mediates against self-reliance.