At the beginning of the 20th century, charitable work covered a number of social groups in need of assistance: victims of wars, the unemployed, the sick, homeless children, the poor, people with disabilities, impoverished students, national minorities, and so on. For this purpose, various charitable societies, aid committees, and boards of trustees were established. Charitable societies and committees operated under municipal governing bodies, parish communities, and public organizations such as the nobility assembly.
Within charitable institutions, public tea houses, inexpensive canteens, snack bars, small stalls, shops, shelters, night lodgings, reading-room libraries, schools, clubs, legal and intermediary offices, medical stations, and production workshops were opened. In them, food and manufactured goods were sold at reduced prices, medical services and legal advice were provided, and instruction in literacy and crafts was conducted.
Funding for charitable activities was provided through state subsidies, contributions from public organizations and private individuals, as well as allocations from profits obtained through various kinds of economic activity carried out by charitable institutions.
At the same time, a certain share of financial inflows into the charity fund was formed through the sale of charity stamps. Charity stamps served as a kind of receipt for a gratuitous monetary contribution to the charity fund.
Charity stamps were issued in small-denomination values, which made them easier to purchase, while large print runs and widespread distribution ensured steady and sufficiently significant income. The stamps were brightly designed, carried a certain propagandistic message, and had a clear designated purpose, allowing the donor to contribute money to the category of people in need that they preferred.