The public benefit requirement

To be a charity in Northern Ireland, your organisation must do more than just have good intentions. It must provide a public benefit - this means your work must help the public in a clear and meaningful way.

The law (the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 says that to be a charity, your organisation must:

• have one or more purposes that fall under the 12 types of charitable purposes listed in the law, and
• make sure those purposes are carried out for the public benefit.

The public benefit requirement is explained in official guidance (available in the sidebar) from the Commission. This guidance helps organisations understand what public benefit means and how to show they meet the requirement.