The attitude of society toward the giver has deteriorated as well. Take away the voluntary aspect and today they're viewed anywhere from a communistic "you have more, therefore you can afford it", to a more antagonistic attitude where the possession of wealth is evidence that it was taken illegitimately from the Jerry Springer devotees.
I think this is exactly the problem today. Philanthropic societies were created by those "with' to help those without. It was understood that there was a benefactor-beneficiary relationship. If you found yourself without - in deep need - you went with your hat in your hand - a humbling event - and requested aid.
Someone was lauding FDR [spit] the other day that he was motivated to make the US communist (my hyperbole, not his) because he saw the indignity of poor houses. Moron. It was supposed to be humiliating! That way if you were able you wouldn't go there.
At the beginning of the chapter titled “Anti-Life” there is an incident that corresponds directly to the points you are making. In a few weeks, I’ll expect you to work on the discussion topic I’m building around that incident.