Quote:
Originally Posted by Deskisamess
Receiving "donations" doesn't make a business a charity. Calling libraries, parks, and universities, charities, is the wrong use of the word.
Our parks and libraries do receive donations. But most of their money comes from the taxing of the residents. Certainly colleges get donations from their alumni, but a school that charges thousands of dollars for tuition is not a charity.
I sure can't choose to have my property tax dollars NOT go the local parks or library system. To be a true charity in the commonly accepted use of the word means donations are not obligatory and taken from the tax base without their agreement. Sure, I vote on the various levies, but even when I vote no, if the levy passes, I must pay the resulting tax.
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I suspect that you will find that very few charities meet your definition, including quite a few organizations that you personally consider a charity. Many charities get money from the government including such organizations as the Red Cross and Salvation Army. A lot of people don't realize how much the government has gotten into the charity business.
I prefer to stick with the OED definition of charity.