Make people a gift (8)
I believe the answer is:
donation
'a gift' is the definition.
(donation is a kind of gift)
'make people' is the wordplay.
'make' becomes 'do' (doing is a kind of making).
'people' becomes 'nation'.
'do'+'nation'='DONATION'
(Other definitions for donation that I've seen before include "An offering or charitable gift" , "Gift or contribution" , "Do anoint by way of a gift" , "presentation" , "Money given to charity" .)