Which statement best describes the public benefit requirement for advocacy by charities?

• A. It requires that all activities are for the private benefit of founders.
• B. It allows advocacy regardless of impact on the public.
• C. It ensures the public benefit is central and that advocacy advances charitable purposes rather than private interests.
• D. It has no bearing on advocacy activities.

Answer: (C)

Public benefit applies to every part of a charity’s work, including advocacy. Advocacy is allowed as part of charitable activity, but it must serve the public good and advance the charity’s purposes, not private interests. The best way to describe this is that public benefit is central to advocacy: the actions should promote charitable aims and bring benefits to the public, rather than benefiting individuals or founders privately. If advocacy were to prioritize private gain or ignore its impact on the public, it would fail the public benefit test.