It's not always easy to distinguish between "charities" and "missions." This section covers charities and organizations that seek to provide "real-world" assistance (such as housing, training, food and care, protection, etc.), even though they may also have a missionary or reformatory purpose as well. Organizations that focus primarily on Christian education, conversion or reform are listed under "Mission Work."

The Corps of Commissionaires (Leisure Hour, 1868)

Efforts to fund homes for retired soldiers and sailors.

Jack Ashore: New Style, by Lewis Hough (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1876)

Homes for sailors whilst ashore, offering the advantage that "the newly-landed sailor, instead of going off with a crimp - who, if he does not hocus and rob him, is sure to fleece him of all he has in a more legitimate manner - has merely to get a cab and drive to the Home, enter his name, lodge his chest in his cabin, and then, if his wages have not as yet been paid, the house steward will make him an advance not exceeding twenty shillings. When he gets his pay, he is invited to lodge it with the cashier, instead of leaving it in his cabin, or carrying it in his very leaky pockets."

Ladies' Homes (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1876)

The best of "Ladies Homes" are "neither asylums for the indolent nor shelters for persons of doubtful character, but calm, safe, and respectable retreats for virtuous but adversity-buffeted ladies, in which they may find sure anchorage for the rest of their days." Unfortunately, this article notes, not all homes are so ideal.

The Maternity Society (Scribner's, 1879A)

An American church group providing help to mothers-to-be.

Ladies' Work Among Sailors and Soldiers, by Alice King (Girl's Own Paper, 1881)

A visit to "The Soldiers' Institute" and "The Sailors' Welcome," two London charities.

Sentiment and Science in Philanthropy, by L.B. Frothingham (Demorest, 1884)

A discussion of effective ways to conduct philanthropic efforts.

The Charity Commission: Its Origin and Work, by George Howell, MP (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1889)

The Needlework Guild, by HRH Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck (English Illustrated Magazine, 1890A)

"All we wished was to provide the hundreds of women in England, hitherto working aimlessly, and many uselessly, with an object to work for, and to secure clothes for the thousands of men, women, and children wanting them." As an interesting side note, this guild was not "bound by rules and regulations to the acceptance of assistance only from persons belonging to the Church of England. We welcome into our midst all sorts and conditions of men and women, irrespective of creed." The guild originally only accepted women but has since begun to accept men and also to create clothing for men and boys.

Protection for the Red Cross (Century Magazine, 1891A)

Some history of the founding of the Red Cross.

The Salvation Army, by the Ven. Archdeacon F.W. Farrar, DD (Harper's Monthly, 1891A)

Prison Fledgelings, by Anne Beale (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

The Prison Mission, and its work with men and boys.

"Sowers and Reapers," by Anne Beale (Girl's Own Paper, 1893)

A report on a theatrical meeting of the Sowers and Reapers' Union.

My Life Work, by May Carden (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

Work that led to the founding of the Working Youths' Institute.

The Royal Home for Ladies, by Frank Hird (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

The Royal Home for Ladies with Limited Income at Wandsworth - a home that could house 27 elderly ladies whose annual income was between £20 and £50.

The Salvation Army (Demorest, 1896)

Some Results of the Higher Education of Women, by Catherine Baldwin (Century Magazine, 1896B)

The work of "The Women's University Association for Work in the Poorer Districts of London."

A Village Improvement Society, by John Gilmer Speed (Ladies Home Journal, 1896)

The Salvation Army as a Social Force, by Fred A. McKenzie (Windsor Magazine, 1900B)

What Girls Are Doing for South London, by the Rev. Thomas B. Willson (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

The United Girls' Schools Mission.

A Haven of Rest (Sunday Strand, 1902)

The Royal Alfred Aged Merchant Seamen's Institution in Belvedere, Kent, a retirement home for lifeboat sailors.

In the King's Name (Sunday Strand, 1902)

A look at two British charities: the Orphan Asylum at Slough, and the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Society.

"Such as Sit in Darkness" (Sunday Strand, 1902)

A Visit to the National Christian Blind Relief Society.

• See also Children's Charities & Services