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Charity Commission Consultation on Public Benefit and the Advancement of Religion

Information provided by the Faith Based Regeneration Network

This consultation relates to the changes introduced by the Charities Act of 2006. One of the effects of the Charities Act 2006 is that all charities must demonstrate that their aims are for public benefit. Until now, registered charities with the purpose of advancing religion were assumed to be providing public benefit. This will no longer be the case and all charities will now have to demonstrate explicitly, that their objects are for public benefit. It is important to note here that religion is not being singled out, the presumption that an organisation is delivering public benefit has also been removed from educational charities and those set up for the relief of poverty.

 The Charity Commission has produced draft supplementary guidance on Public Benefit and the Advancement of Religion. When it is in its final form and is published, this guidance will form part of the Commission’s statutory guidance in this area, to which Trustees must by law have regard. The draft guidance explains the meaning of the advancement of religion as a charitable aim and provides specific guidance on how the principles of public benefit relate to charities which have this as their aim.

The Charity Commission is keen to hear from charities and the consultation period runs to June 30^th 2008. Further details and copies of the relevant documents can be found on the Charity Commission website www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publicbenefit