Civil Society Glossary

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In the summer of 2004, the UIA partnered with the Europhil Trust to edit, publish and host its Civil Society Glossary. This is the most recent version which appeared online in 2006.

The Civil Society Glossary is a resource of terms and definitions used when working in and with the civil society sector.

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Term Definition
Declaration Of Trust
A statement or admission that property is to be held to the use of or upon trust for charitable purposes.
Deed
A writing or instrument of a more formal nature than a simple agreement and intended to be legally binding.
Deferred Gift
A gift provided for legally during the donor's lifetime, but whose principal benefits do no accrue to the organisation until some future time, usually at the death of the donor.
Delegate

(Verb) To assign to some other person the duty of carrying out some portion of the total task which is the responsibility of the assigner;

(Noun) 1. A person sent or deputed to act or represent another, in particular a person appointed to be a member of a representative assembly;

2. A participant to a congress.

Director

1. Member of a board appointed to manage the affairs of an organisation.

2. The chief responsible executive of an organisation and, as such, its salaried employee.

Disbursement
Money lawfully paid out of the funds of an organisation.
Discretionary Fund
A fund whose application or distribution depends entirely on the appreciation or judgement of its trustee or administrator.
Disinterested Giving
Giving without self-interest or expectation of return. Giving not governed by motives of private interest or gain.
Disposable Income

Income available after regular outgoings have been met.

Amount of income remaining after the deduction of tax and other contributions.

Disposition
Arrangement plan for the accomplishment of a purpose. Particularly disposition of funds.
Distribution
The action of dividing, giving out or bestowing in portions an allotted amount to a number of recipients.
Donation
A gift, without compensation on the part of the donee.
Donee
One to whom anything is given.
Donor
One who makes a gift.
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