Guide to public benefit requirements and charitable purposes for UK charities. Understand what makes an organisation legally charitable.
For an organisation to be charitable in law, it must have purposes that are recognised as charitable and provide public benefit. Understanding these requirements is fundamental to charity status.
There are 13 charitable purposes recognised in law, including relief of poverty, advancement of education, advancement of religion, and other purposes that benefit the public.
The Charity Commission must be satisfied that your organisation provides genuine public benefit. This includes both that the purpose is beneficial and that the way the charity operates benefits the public.
There are 13 recognised charitable purposes. Your charity's purposes must fit within one or more of these categories to be eligible for registration.
Your charity must provide real benefit to the public or a sufficient section of it. Benefit must be genuine, not merely theoretical.
Any private benefit must be incidental to the charitable purpose. Trustees must not benefit inappropriately from the charity.
Document the benefit your charity provides. Annual reports should explain achievements and outcomes that demonstrate public benefit.
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