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

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

In the months leading up to the trial, Musk’s initial 26 claims were whittled down to four: breach of charitable trust, promissory fraud, constructive fraud and unjust enrichment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

"My preferred option has always been to move the theatre to a charitable trust, leaving the Sarah Thorne Theatre company to operate the site."

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025

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

We are, therefore, driven to consider the full objects of the charitable trust under discussion.

From Education in England in the Middle Ages Thesis Approved for the Degree of Doctor of Science in the University of London by Parry, Albert William