What does 'public benefit' mean?

Editor
11 November 2009 - 10:29am
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Tagged as:

• Charity Commission
• charity law
• demonstrating public benefit
• public benefit
• Governance

The Charities Act (NI) 2008 provides that to be a ‘charity’ an organisation must be established for charitable purposes. It further provides that these purposes are charitable only if they satisfy the test that they are for the public benefit.

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is required to issue guidance on how it will apply the ‘public benefit’ test and has published a consultation document entitled Meeting the Charity Test – Demonstrating Public Benefit. This document sets out the Commission’s views on what it needs to take into consideration when deciding whether an organisation can become, or continue to be, a charity under the law of Northern Ireland.
 
Whether you are a charity employee, trustee, volunteer or member of the public the Charity Commission would like to hear your views on this draft guidance. Copies of the document and summary guide are available for download at www.charitycommissionni.org.uk
 
A final consultation event will be held at 2.00pm on 16 November 2009 in NICVA. Places are limited so advance booking is required. Please email: admin@charitycommissionni.org.uk or call 028 9051 5490 to register. Consultation responses should be submitted by Friday 27 November 2009.