GC: n

S: http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/ (last access: 26 February 2013); http://www.charitychoice.co.uk/ (last access: 2 September 2014); EncBrit.

N: 1. mid-12c., “benevolence for the poor,” from Old French charité “(Christian) charity, mercy, compassion; alms; charitable foundation” (12c., Old North French carité), from Latin caritatem (nominative caritas) “costliness, esteem, affection” (in Vulgate often used as translation of Greek agape “love” – especially Christian love of fellow man – perhaps to avoid the sexual suggestion of Latin amor), from carus “dear, valued,” from PIE *karo-, from root *ka- “to like, desire” (see whore (n.)).
2. charity, in Christian thought, the highest form of love, signifying the reciprocal love between God and man that is made manifest in unselfish love of one’s fellow men. St. Paul’s classical description of charity is found in the New Testament (I Cor. 13). In Christian theology and ethics, charity (a translation of the Greek word agapē, also meaning “love”) is most eloquently shown in the life, teachings, and death of Jesus Christ.
3. What Are the Differences Between Social Welfare Organizations & Charitable Organizations?
To start a nonprofit organization and be recognized as a tax-exempt entity by the IRS, you will first have to determine which designation applies to you. The different types of nonprofits identified as 501(c) organizations by the government, social welfare organizations and charitable organizations would, at first glance, seem to have similar functions. However, the latter is a 501(c)(3) entity under that framework, while the former is a 501(c)(4) entity. While they share tax-exempt status, several features differentiate the two types of organizations.
4. Collocations:

• Adj.: local, national | registered | private | animal, cancer, conservation, educational, housing, medical.
• Verb + charity: donate (money) to, give (money) to, support | go to | ask for | accept | depend on, live on.
• Charity + noun: appeal, auction, ball, concert, event, match, show | school | shop | work | worker.
• Prep.: for ~ The school raised over a hundred pounds for charity. | ~ for a charity for sick children.
• Phrases: An act of charity.

S: 1. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=charity&searchmode=none (last access: 3 September 2014). 2. EncBrit. 3. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/differences-between-social-welfare-organizations-charitable-organizations-64971.html (last access: 2 September 2014). 4. http://oxforddictionary.so8848.com/search1?word=charity (last access: 21 May 2015).

SYN:
S:

CR: altruism, compassionate.