Explain the concept of public benefit and give an example.

• A. The benefit must be available to the public or a sufficient section, for example a literacy program open to all in a community.
• B. The benefit must only favor private individuals with paid subscription.
• C. Benefit is any activity that raises funds.
• D. Benefit is providing exclusive services to donors.

Answer: (A)

Public benefit means the charity’s work must advantage the public or a broad section of the community, not just a few private individuals. An example is a literacy program open to everyone in a community; it improves education access for the public and doesn’t discriminate, showing clear benefit to the community as a whole. The other ideas don’t fit: a plan that only helps private individuals with paid subscriptions provides benefit to a limited group rather than the public; simply raising funds isn’t itself public benefit unless the funds are used to deliver work that benefits the public; and providing exclusive services to donors creates private benefit rather than a public good.