User:Diderot's dreams/sandbox2

A charity is an private organization that provides free assistence to the poor, sick, or elderly. They may be secular or have a religious base. A charity needs donations to conduct its activities. Donations can take the form of volunteering time, giving money or useful items.

Major charities in the United States include the March of Dimes, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the Salvation Army, the United Way, Catholic Charities in various localities, and Ronald McDonald House.

International charities include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nothing But Nets, Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, and Save the Children.

Charities exist in countries and places where the government does not provide certain services or they are inadequate.

In some countries, a charity meeting a certain legal definition under the law does not have to pay some or all taxes. In the United States, such an organization is a charitable organization. Some charitable organizations that address other social issues are not strictly speaking charities. For example, Greenpeace.