As we reflect on the evolution of the charity sector, we can see distinct changes in how and why people give to causes, and in the causes they choose to support. What has remained persistent is our human instinct to care about something beyond ourselves: our communities and our environment, the rights and wellbeing of others, and the moral, cultural and artistic causes that enrich our societies.Much of the charity sector can be seen as having one of two related roles:•providing support to people, and•trying to prevent the need for that support arising in the first placeIn each sphere, the relationship between charities, government, business and individuals has grown and evolved. Increasingly, individuals and organisations want to play a role in driving change and to shape the world as it could be.Globalisation and digitisation have also brought us closer to events and communities far beyond our immediate surroundings. We can see, often in real time, conflict, injustice, humanitarian emergencies and environmental