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, 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 document (PDF) - IRS