Public Benefit Policy

As a registered charity, [Charity name] is established exclusively for charitable purposes and is committed to delivering clear and demonstrable public benefit in all of its activities.
This Public Benefit Policy sets out how the Charity defines, delivers, assesses, and reports public benefit in accordance with charity law and Charity Commission guidance.

The Trustees recognise that demonstrating public benefit is a core legal duty and fundamental to maintaining public trust and confidence.

Purpose of the Policy

1.1 The purpose of this Policy is to:

Ensure all Charity activities further its charitable purposes for the public benefit.
Provide a consistent framework for assessing public benefit.
Support lawful, accountable, and transparent decision-making.
Enable clear reporting of public benefit to stakeholders and regulators.

1.2 This Policy supports compliance with charity law and good governance practice.

Scope of the Policy

2.1 This Policy applies to:

The Board of Trustees.
Employees.
Volunteers.
Contractors and partners acting on behalf of the Charity.

2.2 It applies to:

Strategic planning and decision-making.
Design and delivery of services and activities.
Use of charitable funds and resources.
Reporting and communications.

Definition of Public Benefit

3.1 Public benefit is defined as:

The requirement that a charity’s purposes must be carried out for the benefit of the public or a sufficient section of the public, as required by charity law.

3.2 Public benefit has two key aspects:

Benefit aspect – activities must be beneficial and capable of being demonstrated.
Public aspect – benefit must be available to the public or a sufficient section of it.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

4.1 The Charity operates in accordance with:

Charity law and regulations.
Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.
The Charity’s governing document.

4.2 Trustees must have regard to public benefit guidance when exercising their powers and duties.

Principles of Public Benefit

5.1 The Charity’s approach to public benefit is guided by the following principles:

Exclusivity of charitable purposes.
Clear and demonstrable benefit.
Accessibility and fairness.
Proportionality of any restrictions.
Transparency and accountability.

5.2 All activities must be justified by reference to public benefit.

Delivering Public Benefit

6.1 The Charity will:

Design and deliver activities that advance its charitable purposes.
Identify who benefits from its activities.
Ensure benefits are real, tangible, and relevant.

6.2 Delivery of public benefit must:

Avoid unnecessary barriers to access.
Be appropriate to the Charity’s objectives and resources.

Beneficiaries and Access

7.1 The Charity will:

Define its beneficiary groups clearly.
Ensure beneficiaries represent a sufficient section of the public.

7.2 Any restrictions on access must:

Be reasonable and justifiable.
Directly relate to the Charity’s purposes.

Private Benefit and Charges

8.1 Any private benefit arising from the Charity’s activities must be:

Incidental to achieving the charitable purpose.
Necessary and proportionate.

8.2 Where charges are made:

They must be reasonable.
They must not unduly restrict access to benefit.

Use of Funds and Resources

9.1 Charitable funds and assets must:

Be applied solely to further public benefit.
Be managed prudently and responsibly.

9.2 Trustees must ensure value for money in pursuit of public benefit.

Assessing and Measuring Public Benefit

10.1 The Charity will:

Assess the impact and outcomes of its activities.
Review whether activities continue to deliver public benefit.

10.2 Assessment may include:

Monitoring outputs and outcomes.
Gathering feedback from beneficiaries.
Reviewing alignment with objectives.

Decision-Making and Public Benefit

11.1 Trustees must consider public benefit when:

Approving new activities.
Allocating resources.
Reviewing or ceasing activities.

11.2 Decisions must be:

Recorded.
Capable of justification by reference to public benefit.

Reporting and Transparency

12.1 The Charity will:

Report annually on how its activities further public benefit.
Include a public benefit statement in its Trustees’ Annual Report.

12.2 Public benefit reporting will be:

Clear and understandable.
Proportionate to the Charity’s size and activities.

Governance and Responsibility

13.1 The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for ensuring delivery of public benefit.

13.2 Day-to-day implementation may be delegated, but accountability remains with the Trustees.

Monitoring and Review

14.1 This Policy will be reviewed:

At least annually, or
Following changes in activities, strategy, or regulatory guidance.

14.2 Any amendments must be approved by the Board of Trustees.

Conclusion

By adhering to this Public Benefit Policy, [Charity name] ensures that all activities and use of resources demonstrably further its charitable purposes for the public benefit, comply with charity law, and maintain transparency, accountability, and public trust.

Signed: ………………………………………
Chair of the Board of Trustees

Date: ………………………………………

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Disclaimer:

Naail & Co provides these policy templates solely as guidelines or standard templates to assist charities in developing their own policies in accordance with Charity Commission England & Wales compliance. These templates are not intended to serve as legal or professional advice, and Naail & Co cannot be held responsible or liable for any outcomes arising from their use. It is essential that each registered charity carefully tailors and customizes these policies to reflect its specific needs, structure, and legal obligations. We strongly recommend that charities seek independent legal or professional advice to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

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