When charities may campaign...
Charities may campaign for a particular outcome in a referendum, but only when the outcome will directly affect the delivery of their charitable objects, according to new guidance from the Charity Commission.
Giving a rather more likely example, the Commission says, “if the outcome of a referendum will have a particular impact on older people, it would be appropriate for a charity that works with older people to explain the effects of the different outcomes to its beneficiaries.”
The guidance places the onus squarely on trustees to determine how campaigning activities would be an effective way of promoting the objects of their charity.
It also reiterates the Commission’s guidance on charities’ conduct during an election campaign.
24 January 2011
