Receiving funds from a Gentile

May a Chabad House receive donations from a Gentile and use them for various purposes?

Answer: 1) It is forbidden to receive charity from a Gentile in a public manner for the sustenance of Jews, even for those who learn Torah like Yeshiva/Kollel students. Privately however, it is permissible. If it is known that the Gentile is donating because he has a special place in his heart for the Jews, and not because of his pity on anyone needy, then we are not allowed to accept his donation, even in private.
If someone is dependent of the donation on the Gentile and cannot receive it privately, he can receive it even publicly.

2) There are opinions that the prohibition against receiving charity from a Gentile is when it is received directly from his hand, or from the hand of his emissary. If however, the Gentile gave it as a gift to the person in charge of distributing charity funds, or to the Chabad Shaliach, for example, it is permissible for the Shaliach to then give it to a needy person, since he did not get it directly from the Gentile. This is the case also if a Gentile makes it available to the needy person without specifying that it is for him, in which case the needy person may take it.

3) There are opinions that it is permissible to accept a donation from a Gentile if he gives it expressly for his own benefit, as in the event that he wishes to save himself from some difficulty.

4) It is permissible to receive a monetary donation from a Gentile, or even various objects, for the needs of the synagogue.