Public benefit is at the heart of what it means to be a charity. The Charities Act (NI) 2008 requires all charities to have aims which are, demonstrably, for the public benefit.

In order to assist any new or existing organisation in applying for charitable status, the Commission must first publish its guidance on the Public Benefit Test.

This will explain the requirements of the legislation, for any organisation wishing to be recognised as a charity in Northern Ireland.

Draft Public Benefit Guidance was issued for public consultation in late 2009. As a result of this consultation the Department for Social Development is currently examining a technical aspect of the legislation governing the public benefit test.

We will provide information and publish our guidance on the Public Benefit Requirement before opening for registration.

If we find your organsiation's aims do not meet the public benefit requirement, we may give you advice about how you should alter its aims, restructure its objects, or alter the way it will carry out its aims. If you still cannot demonstrate that your organisation's aims are, or will be carried out, for the public benefit, then it cannot be registered as a charity.