A voluntary hospital is a non-profit private hospital. They can be distinguished from for-profit private hospitals, and municipal or public hospitals, which are publicly owned. Created from the eighteenth century onwards in England, hospitals using this model were established later in America, Ireland, and Australia. They were initially financed by public subscription, philanthropy and fundraising, but in some cases voluntary hospitals now accept varying degrees of state funding for their activities. A voluntary hospital may also be a charitable hospital.