Here is my updated article on “How Much Should A Canadian Charity Spend on Overhead” Why low overhead may not be a good thing for a charity and what is appropriate? I am occasionally asked ‘what is an appropriate…
Canadian registered charities need to scrupulously avoid involvement with partisan political activity. In this brief note we cover CRA policy statement CPS-022 on political activity by charities and CRA’s Advisory on Partisan Political Activities. It is really important for Canadian…
On July 2, 2008 the Lobbying Act came into force and many non-profits and charities are completely unaware of its existence or its effect on their activities. Lobbying is defined broadly under s. 7 of the Lobbying Act and includes…
Offshore tax havens are very detrimental to the Canadian tax base and under cut our social programs. However, the effect of offshore tax havens on the developing world is far more devastating. I was reading a very good article by…
Here is a copy of a powerpoint presentation Blumbergs recently delivered to a US 501(c)(3) on Fundraising and Grantmaking from Canada Here is a copy of a powerpoint presentation on Fundraising and Grantmaking from Canada GlobalPhilanthropy.ca was created by Mark…
In April 2008, CRA released a Consultation on proposed policy regarding fundraising by Registered Charities (RC4456-e) (“Fundraising Consultation”). This document is a relatively short six page overview, and CRA has recently provided charities with a more detailed document entitled “Background…
This case dealt with whether the Charities Directorate of CRA requires judicial authorization to request certain information from a registered charity and CRA won the appeal. The CRA note headnote/summary is below. The CRA in Registered Charities Newsletter No. 31…
It looks like Industry Canada will be making a second attempt to pass a new federal non-profits act to replace the Canada Corporations Act. It will be called the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (NFPC). Industry Canada will in 2008 attempt…
Here is a copy of a presentation I recently delivered to a number of Canadian charities in Ottawa entitled Legal Issues for Canadian Charities Conducting Foreign Activities and International Development Download Article
The Canada Revenue Agency has recently been sending out a new form letter to some applicants for charitable registration which appear to have foreign activities requesting they provide greater detail in terms of the foreign activities. Here is a copy…
Planned Giving in a Global World is my presentation at the CAGP national convention about Planned Giving by Canadian charities for projects outside of Canada. The description of the presentation was “In this session, we will discuss basic information that…
The law firm of Scarfone Hawkins LLP in Hamilton has recently brought a class action lawsuit against a number of parties for their involvement with the Banyan Tree Foundation including the law firm of Fraser Milner Casgrain. It will be…
Here is a copy of my article discussing the Consultation on proposed policy on fundraising by Registered Charities RC4456 Download Article
I often read commentators talking about the ‘increased burden’ placed by Canada Revenue Agency on Canadian charities operating abroad or the ‘increasingly complicated’ administrative rules. I then scratch my head and wonder what increased burden and what increased rules? The…
Here is my article which discusses the Consultation on Proposed Policy on Fundraising by Canadian Registered Charities (RC4456-e). Here is a link to which is the CRA’s “Consultation on proposed policy on fundraising by Registered Charities.” This is a…
Here is a copy of a presentation I recently delivered on promoting bequests to charities. As charities seek to diversify or increase revenue, bequests become an even more important potential source. It covers some of the advantages and disadvantages with…
CRA has prepared two publications namely Donations by Canadians to Prescribed Universities Outside Canada (RC191-07) and Information for Educational Institutions Outside Canada (RC190-07). These recent publications will be of interest to foreign universities interested in fundraising in Canada and Canadian…
Every year the Canadian Council for International Co-operation hosts a discussion forum and this year it was on the Paris Declaration and aid effectiveness. There are some interesting notes on equitable North/South CSO relations at As well Brian…
“Under a Microscope –Transactions that Draw the Attention of the CRA” is a really useful discussion of issues relating to donations and receipting – a problem area for many Canadian registered charities. It was a presentation delivered by Blaine Langdon…
Here is a presentation by Blaine Langdon, Senior Policy Officer, of the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency entitled Regulation of Charitable Giving in Canada –An Update
Imagine has revised its Code of Ethics (or Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code) and in this article I review the changes and provide a critique of the strengths and weaknesses of the Imagine Canada’s Code of Ethics. Imagine Canada’s…
The CRA recently posted their top ten list of why applications for charitable status will not be successful. It was placed in a Consultation document entitled “Charitable Work and Ethnocultural Groups – Information on registering as a charity “. As…
David Baines, a columnist for the Vancouver Sun, has written a number of articles critical of the Canadian registered charity Givemeaning which describes itself as “an online fundraising site emphasizing creative fundraising ideas and other unique forms of charity donation.”. …
Many charities involved with international development and humanitarian relief are familiar with CIDA funding, major gifts, and direct mail. Some of these charities may receive in fact the vast majority of their funds from CIDA and other Canadian government sources. …