charitable trust

American  

noun

1. a trust designed for the benefit of the general public, as for educational or other charitable purposes (opposed to private trust).

---

charitable trust British  

noun

1. a trust set up for the benefit of a charity that complies with the regulations of the Charity Commissioners to enable it to be exempt from paying income tax

---

Etymology

Origin of charitable trust

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The head of Tesla and SpaceX claims include breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Musk’s complaint accuses Altman of unjust enrichment and breaching a charitable trust.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Experts in nonprofit law question the judge’s decision to allow Musk to bring the breach of charitable trust claim, given that he is not on the board of the nonprofit or company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

If he failed to survive by 90 days, then she instructed her personal representative to establish a charitable trust “to achieve purposes beneficial to the community” consistent with the couple’s charitable preferences.

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2025

Charity, Institutions.—To determine what is a charitable trust, devise, or gift, it is necessary to particularly bear in mind the most comprehensive definition of charity.

From The Clergyman's Hand-book of Law by Scanlan, Charles M.