Charity as a Social Practice in Modern Russia

Abstract

The article examines charity as a social phenomenon and social practice in modern Russia. In Russian history, charity has been a widespread phenomenon and a phenomenon of public life. Charitable activities cover a wide range of social problems and represent an interinstitutional sphere of life. It does not have strict regulations, which is its advantage and provides significant flexibility, mobility, and the opportunity to increase the range of recipients of social assistance and support. Charity does not stand still and forms new forms of its implementation, and this helps it to remain an effective tool of social policy and social work. It comes from an inner awareness of belonging and empathy for another person in need of support. The social significance of charitable activities is to ensure public interests in the distribution of benefits to those in need and mutual assistance. In modern Russia, charity is a significant and important institution that continues the social policy of the state. The authors present the current state, the main causes, forms and types of charity. An innovative and promising form of modern charitable activity is volunteering and volunteerism, which are developing dynamically. Various online platforms for making donations are becoming common types of charitable activities. As the results of the author's sociological research have shown, charity is quite popular among the population: 89,5 % of the surveyed Russians have ever engaged in it. In general, the surveyed citizens have a positive image of charity in Russia. The majority of respondents, one way or another, have ever participated in charity and noted the possibility of participating in the future.