---
title: "Charitable Purpose"
slug: "charitable-purpose"
tags: ["US Nonprofit"]
updated: 2022-05-10T15:07:55Z
published: 2022-05-10T15:07:55Z
canonical: "resourceportal.antientropy.org/charitable-purpose"
excludeFromSearch: true
excludeFromExternalSearch: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://resourceportal.antientropy.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Charitable Purpose (US)

Charitable entities are ***required*** to have a defined “Charitable Purpose” to apply for charitable statuses; such as a 501(c) in the US or filing with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

---

Per the [IRS](https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exempt-purposes-internal-revenue-code-section-501c3), the term charitable includes:

- Relief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged
- Advancement of religion
- Advancement of education or science
- Erection or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or works
- Lessening the burdens of government
- Lessening neighborhood tensions
- Eliminating prejudice and discrimination
- Defending human and civil rights secured by law
- Combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency

---

[The Concept of Charity](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopicb80.pdf) document (PDF) - IRS

## Related

- [Charitable Purpose (UK)](/charitable-purpose-uk.md)
- [US Nonprofit vs Charity](/us-nonprofit-vs-charity.md)