Contribution to development of charity practice of citizens and organizations, and also to extension of voluntary activity is classed among the top priority directions of Russia’s social and youth policy. In this context state authorities have developed the Concept of assistance to development of in the Russian Federation. Author offers an empirical verification of statements and ideas of the given Concept on the basis of results of all-Russian representative poll conducted by State University – Higher School of Economics in cooperation with Russian Public Opinion Research Center. The article discloses problems of population’s perception of charity agents and a trust to them. An attitude of Russians on the question of mutual relations of authorities with donors and charitable organizations, as well as about directions of governmental support for the charities is also characterized.