Charity
Etymology
From Latin "caritas" (dearness, affection, love), from "carus" (dear, costly). Early Bible translators used "caritas" to render the Greek "agape" — self-giving love — and the King James Bible’s "the greatest of these is charity" preserves that lofty sense. Over centuries the meaning narrowed from divine love toward the practical act of almsgiving.
noun · /CHAIR-uh-tee/
Voluntary giving to those in need, and more deeply, an active love toward others.
What it names
Use it for benevolence made concrete as aid — and, in its older register, for the whole disposition of loving goodwill.
Example
He gave to the charity quietly, but his real charity was the patience he showed the difficult.
Related idea
Philanthropy (literally "love of humankind") tends to name large-scale, strategic giving by the well-resourced; charity leans toward direct relief of immediate need. The older meaning of charity as loving-kindness is broader than either.
noun · /CHAIR-uh-tee/
An organization set up to help those in need.
What it names
a benevolent institution
Example
She left her estate to a children’s charity.
Related idea
The virtue of benevolence made concrete as an institution.