Buying lots of computer software can put a real dent in a charities budget. On the other hand software is essential and can save chariites lots of time and money. TechSoup Canada provides very discounted software to Canadian charities. They…
Here is a “Checklist for Charities on Avoiding Terrorist Abuse” put out by the Charity Directorate of Canada Revenue Agency. It is a concise and helpful tool for charities to use to ensure that their resources are not misused by…
The CRA has just published a sample: T3010B, Registered Charity Information Return, with accompanying forms and financial statements. This will be very helpful to charities as the T3010B is a new form. Here is the note: Samples: T3010B, Registered…
If you are looking for a sample financial statement for a Canadian charity CRA has just published one of their website. Every Canadian charity in addition to filing the T3010 Registered Charity Information Return needs to file with that return…
CRA has been piloting charity webinars recently. I understand that they have had a very good reception and that on the last e-mail announcement 400 people signed up in less than 2 hours. Here is information on their past webinars…
Here is the latest CRA Registered Charity Newsletter # 32. It includes an extensive discussion on applications for charity status and how to improve your application and avoid unnecessary delays. It sets out the procedures that CRA will follow upon…
This case deals with a church who lost its charitable status for lack of proper record keeping. We learn from this case that because CRA moves quickly to revoke status does not mean that the “requirements of natural justice and…
In the Christ Apostolic Church of God Mission International v. Canada (National Revenue) (2009 FCA 162) A-287-08, Date: May 20, 2009 the Federal Court of Appeal upheld a revocation by the Canada Revenue Agency of this church’s charitable status. This…
CRA just advised that certain T3010 forms on their Charities and Giving Web site, have been improved so that they are now saveable in addition to being fillable. By downloading the fillable/saveable PDF version of the form charities can save…
What are the hallmarks of a good charity. Boy that is hard. Easier to know what are the hallmarks of a bad charity. Well luckily the UK Charity Commission has come up with the following 6 hallmarks for a good…
Another title could be “Maple Syrup Business is not always charitable”. Many American comedians were concerned with the departure of George Bush that they would not have jobs, or at least their jobs would become more difficult. Never fear- if…
There is an interesting article in a newsletter entitled Global Trends in NGO Law published by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law. In this article it discusses how many countries are restricting charities and philanthropists from funding projects or operating…
This case is not that interesting except for the facts. A church is accused of being involved with the fraudulent sale of official donation receipts, CRA is revoking their charity status, the church is asking for a stay of the…
CRA in this letter to a charity outlines their position that a charity can issue official donation receipts for amounts when fixed amounts are paid by persons participating in an organized orchestra trip as long as all advantages are subtracted…
According to CRA In 2008, the value of charity tax shelter gifting arrangements has been reduced by 1/2. This is an important victory for CRA in curbing some of the more extreme charity tax shelter arrangements. At the 2009 National…
The CRA has just released a Consultation on proposed Guidance on the Protection of Human Rights and Charitable Registration CRA is asking those interested to provide comments on the draft guidelines. The consultation will be of particular interest to those…
Canadian charities must file a copy of their financial statement along with the T3010 Registered Charity Information Return. In the past CRA was not as strict about this requirement but now they are following up on it more as people…
Here is my recent article Mergers and Amalgamations within the Canadian Non-Profit and Charity Sector Here is the abstract of the article: Mergers and Amalgamations in the Canadian Nonprofit and Charitable Sector Mark Blumberg Difficult times and an increasingly competitive…
The Canadian legal and philanthropic publication The Philanthropist is now both online and FREE. You just need to register and will find some very good articles on different issues affecting charities and non-profits in Canada. You can reach the website…
Is a rabbi at a Jewish school entitled to the clergy residence exemption? Although he may be a member of the “clergy” he is not in charge of, or ministering to, a diocese, parish or congregation, according to this CRA…
Here is a very interesting presentation by Nicholos Offord of the The Offord Group entitled Fund Raising – Key Challenges & Issues for the Future. It is located at Although focused on health care fundraising he brings in…
The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an appeal with costs by the Choson Kallah Fund of Toronto to a Federal Court of Appeal decision which I had written on previously at: CRA Revokes Choson Kallah Fund of Toronto as…
The CRA has just published a very helpful page entitled “Checklist for Charities on Avoiding Terrorist Abuse”.
The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology presented a report on the Bill C-4, An Act respecting not-for-profit corporations and certain other corporations and has suggested a number of amendments. Here is the report and here is the slightly…