The Charity Commission which, under the draft charity Bill, will be charged with assessing the public benefit provided by charities, has published a document explaining how it will carry out public benefit checks.
Under the terms of the new bill, charities will need to prove that all their activities conform to the principle of ?providing public benefit? and some arts organisations may need to adjust their activities in order to ensure they retain their charitable status. When the Bill becomes law next year, the Charity Commission will produce new registration forms and will require charities to provide evidence of their public benefit. If charities are found to be failing in the delivery of public benefit, the Commission will be empowered to enforce change, even going so far as to direct organisations? assets towards charitable purposes.
Published: 18-10-2004