Beneficiaries

A charity can only benefit those who fall within its purposes. That sounds obvious until an organisation drifts — starts serving a wider group, or a different one, than its objects allow. At that point it is acting outside its powers, however worthwhile the work.

Who counts as a beneficiary is determined by the objects clause in the governing document, read together with the requirement of public benefit. A class of beneficiaries that is too narrow, or defined by a personal connection, can fail the public benefit test.

If your work has moved beyond your objects, the answer is to change the objects — see changing your purposes — not to keep going and hope. Beneficiary data also brings data protection duties: see beneficiary surveys.