Rambam's eight levels of distributing Tzedakah

English Translation

There are eight levels of charity, one higher then the other. The highest level, exceeded by none is that of the person who assists a poor Jew by providing him with a gift or a loan or by helping him find employment. In a word by putting him where he can dispense with other people's aid by supporting himself.

A step below this stands the one who gives alms to the needy in such manner that the giver knows not to whom he gives and the recipient knows not from whom it is that he takes.

One step lower is that in which the giver knows to whom he gives but the poor person knows not from whom he receives.

A step lower is that in which the poor person knows from whom he is taking but the giver knows not to whom he is giving.

The next step lower is that of him who, with his own hand, bestows a gift before the poor person asks.

The next step lower is that of him who gives only after the poor person asks.

The next step lower is that of him who gives less than is fitting but gives with a gracious mien

The next step lower is that of him who gives morosely.