community chest

American  

noun

1. a fund for local welfare activities, built up by voluntary contributions.

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community chest British  

noun

1. a fund raised by voluntary contribution for local welfare activities

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Etymology

Origin of community chest

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

In the Hull version of Monopoly, Mrs Bishop is recognised on a community chest card, a nod to her charity work.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2021

This year, of 125 community chest campaigns already reported, in spite of the recent stock market break, gains appeared over last year of approximately $1,500,000.

From Time Magazine Archive

Organized last week was the Greater New York Fund, Inc. which, so far as business is concerned, will represent a community chest for 56 Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and nonsectarian eleemosynary bodies.

From Time Magazine Archive

Of the 1929 community chest campaigns already concluded, many a one exceeded its quota "in spite of the stockmarket."

From Time Magazine Archive

Still, the fact that some people would so eagerly take software from the community chest, alter it, and slap a new name on the resulting software displayed a stunning lack of courtesy.

From Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman's Crusade for Free Software by Williams, Sam