The Printing Charity – Public Benefit Statement
Following the introduction of the new Charities Act the Charity Commission commenced consultation as to how it should define and apply the concept of public benefit. The Commission has issued guidelines on the relief of poverty and The Printing Charity was quick to respond.
Many charities such as The Printing Charity have within their objectives the relief of poverty. The Charity Commission guidance appears to indicate that Charities who have this objective may also be able to ‘act to prevent poverty’. It is easy to see the force and logic of this concept – that is, we should act to stop poverty taking hold so that our beneficiaries do not experience the worst elements of it.
The Printing Charity has sought expert advice to determine whether or not this interpretation is correct and whether or not it can legitimately widen its activities to incorporate the ‘prevention of poverty’. The notion of poverty prevention is consistent with the aims of the Trustees and staff at The Printing Charity, not only to help more people living in poverty at this time but to understand the current economic climate and be proactive in helping people in difficulty before the situation becomes severe.