Public-benefit & independence standards

The unit of analysis may be an organization, but often the better question is whether a specific activity conducted by an organization for a beneficiary is charitable under a selected standard.

Relief & basic needs

Poverty, food, housing, shelter and support for vulnerable populations.

Humanitarian & safety

Disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, public safety and emergency preparedness.

Health & wellbeing

Healthcare, public health, disability, accessibility and wellbeing.

Education & knowledge

Education, literacy, training, research, libraries and public-interest knowledge.

Community & opportunity

Community development, responsible microfinance, economic opportunity and volunteerism.

Environment, culture & welfare

Conservation, animal welfare, arts, heritage and other demonstrable public benefit.

Recusal

No materially interested person or organization may determine its own case. The applicant can submit facts, evidence and argument; neutral reviewers determine.

Commercial independence

Money may purchase the service. Money may not purchase the conclusion.

Historical trust model

The earlier Philanthropist.org architecture included a 1–100 trust score and 5×5 risk/social-impact/satisfaction matrices. The modern system keeps identity, feedback, risk and outcomes as transparent dimensions rather than hiding them inside one opaque rating.