The massive earthquake in Japan, apparently the biggest earthquake ever recorded in Japan, and the subsequent tsunami, have caused tremendous destruction. The problems with the nuclear reactors have cause further dislocation. The Humanitarian Coalition is fundraising for Japan – you…
Here is a copy of the judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal in the Ballard and Coleman cases. It is a consolidated appeal of a number of cases. Over a year ago, in early 2010, the Tax Court of…
On February 28, 2011 I did a webinar with the Coordinator of the Humanitarian Coalition, Nic Moyer, entitled “Responding to International Disasters: Fundraising and Coordination with Nicolas Moyer”. You can watch the 1 hour webinar at: https://ocsa.webex.com/ocsa/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=TC&rID=3061432&act=pb&rKey=dcef805e9eec9dae It is free…
The House of Commons has had a third reading and passed C-470 on March 8, 2011. On March 9, 2011 it received first reading in the Senate and there will be second reading on March 21, 2011. If this bill…
Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf wrote an interesting article on Charity Sector Watchdogs in Canada. He quotes Cathy Barr (Imagine Canada), Anderson Charters, owner of CharityCan.ca (a great database), Ken Berger (Charity Navigator), Kate Bahen (Charity Intelligence) and myself. Charity Sector Watchdogs: An…
CanadaHelps and Capital One did a survey of Canadians about charity fraud which shows that the public’s concern about being defrauded is up considerably. This is part of an initiative by CanadaHelps and Capital One to highlight dangers of charity…
Here is a copy of my article Keeping charity laws top of mind which was published in The Bottom Line. What is the “The Bottom Line”. “The Bottom Line is an independent and specialized business periodical that keeps accredited professional…
Here is the Blumbergs Canadian Charity Law List for February 2011. To sign up to this free newsletter visit: Blumbergs Canadian Charity Law List – February 2011 1) Upcoming FREE CLIP Webinars (Online internet seminars) on charity law, fundraising…
Here is a copy of my paper delivered at the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) Institute 2011 entitled Top Receipting Concerns for Canadian Registered Charities. I was delighted to be co-chairing the program and that there were 90 lawyers out for…
Here is a copy of my paper delivered at the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) Institute 2011 entitled Top Receipting Concerns for Canadian Registered Charities. I was delighted to be co-chairing the program and that there were 90 lawyers out for…
David Thompson of Scarfone Hawkins in Hamilton, Ontario recently wrote a paper entitled “Dangerous Opinions – Legal and Ethical Issues with Legal Opinions on Charity Law and the Income Tax Act”. If anyone is wondering how can people believe the…
Jamie Golombek wrote recently an article in the Financial Post on an audit initiative of CRA targeting high net worth individuals whose assets are over $50 million dollars and one of the items CRA is querying is related entities including…
Here is a presentation entitled CRA Major Charity Non-Compliance Issues which was recently delivered in Toronto. Danie Huppe-Cranford is head of compliance at the Charities Directorate of the CRA.
In Proulx, D. v. The Queen, the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) sided with CRA and allowed a CRA appeal from a Tax Court decision dealing with clergy residence deductions. The court noted that “the judge recognized Ms. Proulx, a…
Here is a flyer for an upcoming program on Fundraising and Receipting in Ottawa February 23, 2011. Join us on February 23 for two new Fundraising Guidance and Receipting Workshops in Ottawa! RA Centre – Courtside B Room 2451 Riverside…
Here is debate organized by Network For Good involving author and fundraising consultant Dan Pallotta, Ken Berger (Charity Navigator) and Bob Ottenhoff (Guidestar). Here are Bob’s slides and Ken’s cogent argument at When Dan makes his slides publicly…
Here is an upcoming presentation I will be delivering entitled “Governance Primer for Charity Boards” for Volunteer MBC (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)) and the Peel Leadership Centre on February 15, 2011. Is your board properly carrying out its responsibilities? Join…
The CRA has revoked the registration of Operation Save Canada’s Teenagers and Revival Time Ministries International as a charity. Here are copies of the actual CRA letters to the two registered charities: Copies of Letters to Two Charities Also the…
InterAction is the “largest alliance of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) focused on the world’s poor and most vulnerable people.” They have just launched a blog. It will be interesting to see the information and discussions that take place. Here…
The US organization Charity Navigator is in the process of revamping its rating system of charities to provide more information and weight to the issues of accountability and transparency. Although Charity Navigator does not rate Canadian charities, the issue of…
GuideStar Israel is being beta tested. It will provide a combination of government and NPO information on non-profits in Israel. It is only a beta test but it is an important step forward for donors and those interested in the…
Here is an updated version of my article Ten Reasons your Canadian Charity Should File its T3010 on Time. The number one reason that Canadian registered charities lose their charitable status is failure to file their T3010. Make sure your…
Here is an interesting 20 page study on The Nonprofit Technology Gap – Myth or Reality? from Johns Hopkins University. Non-profits are certainly using technology [“The vast majority of all organizations (98 percent) reported using information technologies for program/service delivery;]…
The Canada Revenue Agency has issued a “Tax Alert” entitled “Warning: If you donate to a gifting tax shelter, expect to be audited.” I know that the Tax Alert came out December 23, 2010 but if you are considering investing…