Charitable organizations are not the fourth kind of social organizations alongside foundations, social organizations and social service organizations. Foundations, social organizations and social service institutions are organizational forms, and charitable organizations are their organizational attributes. In other words, charitable organizations must rely on foundations, social organizations and social service institutions to exist.
Foundations are the basic form of charitable organizations. A foundation refers to a non-profit legal person established according to law with the purpose of engaging in public welfare undertakings by using the property donated by natural persons, legal persons or other organizations. In essence, the foundation is a non-profit organization that carries out charitable activities for the public and is a basic form of charitable organizations.
A social organization refers to a non-profit social organization formed voluntarily by citizens of China and carrying out activities in accordance with its articles of association to achieve the consent of its members. A social organization established in accordance with the law and aimed at carrying out charitable activities for the public is a charitable organization. A large number of charities in China belong to social organizations and legal persons in legal status. They are engaged in charitable activities and belong to charitable organizations.