Throughout the nineteenth century there was a bewildering array of philanthropic organisations managed and run by women. Most of these societies were small affairs which did not attempt to operate on a national scale. Those organised by female religious were, obviously, much more extensive. Aid was provided to the poor and destitute and also to the ‘genteel poor’, who were treated quite differently, and social class often determined the type of aid given. As the century progressed there was a development in the nature of philanthropy with women becoming involved in reform organisations, the temperance movement and also in political campaigns directed towards altering the position of women in society. For a small group of middle-class women philanthropic involvement played an important role in their politicisation. Before examining these aspects of philanthropy, some general comments about the organisation and structure of these charitable societies will reveal the features common to all charitable enterprises.

The majority of voluntary societies originated from a humanitarian concern for the plight of the poor. The numbers of voluntary societies, managed by either men or women, always increased in times of distress. Thus a proliferation of societies were organised, for example, during the famine. Many such voluntary organisations were short lived and ceased to function once a particular crisis had passed. Many of the women's societies operating in the early part of the century were adjuncts to male run organisations; this was especially true of the Bible and church related associations where women were generally requested by men to set up auxiliary and fund raising groups to support a parent society.