Evidence → law → peer review → determination
The system separates principles, governing law, facts, evidence, judgment and legal effect.
Six-layer framework
1. Principle
Public benefit, liberty, property, voluntary action and legitimate charitable purpose. Bastiat's The Law can inform the philosophical framework without replacing positive law.
2. Governing law
Identify the jurisdiction and controlling statute, regulation, program rule, contract, grant term or policy.
3. Test
Translate the authority into explicit elements that can be tested against the facts.
4. Evidence
Create an auditable evidence record with source quality, dates, contradictions and missing facts.
5. Human review
Independent reviewers make the determination; AI structures and assists.
6. Legal effect
State whether the result is advisory, contractual, administrative, delegated, binding or otherwise limited—and pursuant to what authority.
Evidence hierarchy
| Tier | Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| A | Authoritative documentary | Government records, audited financials, court/regulatory documents, contracts and formal institutional records. |
| B | Independent institutional | Credible media, research, professional audits, grant reports and established third parties. |
| C | Transaction-verified | Confirmed payments/donations, delivery records, milestones and beneficiary acknowledgements. |
| D | Community | Authenticated local testimony, volunteer reports, photographs and partner/beneficiary feedback. |
| E | Self-reported | Statements, budgets, descriptions and materials supplied by the subject. |
Final statuses
CHARITABLE — CONFIRMED CHARITABLE — WITH CONDITIONS LIKELY — MORE EVIDENCE REQUIRED INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE NOT CHARITABLE OUTSIDE SCOPE AUTHORITY UNRESOLVED