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Glossary/Public support test

What is Public support test?

In short

A charitable organization avoids private foundation status if it is publicly supported, generally by receiving at least one-third of its support from the general public, government and other public charities, measured over 5 years.

Key takeaways

  • An organization with at least 10% public support can qualify under a facts-and-circumstances test.
  • Churches, schools and hospitals are public charities by the nature of their activities.
  • Large gifts from one donor count as public support only up to 2% of total support.

Where it's tested

REG: Exempt Organizations Basics — study notes, a five-minute revision sheet and practice questions.

Practise: 3 questions

Question 1 of 3 · 0 answered

The principal distinction between a public charity and a private foundation is that a private foundation:

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