The Marriage Foundation: Charity Commission decision
Published 16 January 2013
Applies to England and Wales
© Crown copyright 2013
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-marriage-foundation/the-marriage-foundation-charity-commission-decision
The Commission considered an application by The Marriage Foundation (“the Foundation”) for registration as a charity. The Foundation’s primary object was concerned with advancing the education of the public about marriage and its benefits for children, adults and society.
The Commission formed the view that the Foundation’s objects were not exclusively charitable and, in particular, that it was concerned to promote marriage rather than simply to educate the public about it. As such the Foundation could not be entered onto the register of charities. The Foundation applied for decision review.
The review was conducted by a Commission lawyer who met the promoters of the Foundation to discuss its objects and the aims of the Foundation. On discussion, it was clear that the original objects submitted to the Commission did not accurately reflect the Foundation’s purposes, which appeared to be exclusively charitable and for the public benefit.
The Foundation has amended its objects, which are now:
- To safeguard and protect the physical and mental health of adults and children, and to prevent hardship poverty and distress, by raising awareness of the means by which successful relationships (including but not limited to married relationships) can be developed and strengthened and the breakdown of relationships avoided.
- To promote research into all aspects of the establishment, maintenance and development of successful relationships (including but not limited to married relationships) and to publish the useful results thereof.
- To promote the effectiveness and efficiency of charities concerned with the creation and maintenance of successful relationships (including but not limited to married relationships), for the benefit of the public, in particular, but not exclusively, by organising conferences and disseminating the results of relevant research.
The Commission has now entered the Foundation on the register of charities.