charity - In its traditional legal meaning, the word "charity" encompasses religion, education, assistance to the government, promotion of health, relief of poverty or distress and other purposes that benefit the community. Nonprofit organizations that are organized and operated to further one of these purposes generally will be recognized as exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (see 501(c)(3)) and will be eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable gifts.

и още:
char·i·ty Audio pronunciation of "charity" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (chr-t)
n. pl. char·i·ties

1. Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving.
2. Something given to help the needy; alms.
3. An institution, organization, or fund established to help the needy.
4. Benevolence or generosity toward others or toward humanity.
5. Indulgence or forbearance in judging others. See Synonyms at mercy.
6. often Charity Christianity. The theological virtue defined as love directed first toward God but also toward oneself and one's neighbors as objects of God's love.


[Middle English charite, from Old French, Christian love, from Latin crits, affection, from crus, dear. See k- in Indo-European Roots.]

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Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Main Entry: char·i·ty
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
: a gift for humanitarian, philanthropic, or other purposes beneficial to the public (as maintaining a public building); also : an institution (as a hospital or school) or organization founded by such a gift —compare PRIVATE FOUNDATION
NOTE: Statutory definitions of what institutions and organizations qualify as charities vary. Organizations that are primarily involved in political campaigns or lobbying do not qualify as charities for tax purposes, but trusts for them may be considered charitable. In addition to tax-exempt status, charities have also generally been granted immunity from tort suits.

Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.

charity

n 1: a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals) 2: a kindly and lenient attitude toward people [syn: brotherly love] 3: an activity or gift that benefits the public at large 4: pinnate-leaved European perennial having bright blue or white flowers [syn: Jacob's ladder, Greek valerian, Polemonium caeruleum, Polemonium van-bruntiae, Polymonium caeruleum van-bruntiae] 5: an institution set up to provide help to the needy

давам това, защото в българския речник пишеше:
благотворител

благотворител, благотворителят, благотворителя, мн. благотворители, м. Човек, който се занимава с благотворителна дейност.

сега леко ми просветна защо българите не са наясно със значението на тази дума :)