Here is a copy of my presentation on the legal requirements for Canadian charities operating abroad. The presentation discussed CRA positions and documents, case law, and various other legal, practical and ethical issues that a Canadian charity may face. Download…
I read a very interesting article by David O. Renz entitled “Reframing Governance”. It appeared in Volume 13, Issue 4, Winter 2006 of The Nonprofit Quarterly. It will be of particular interest to those involved with international NGOs who work…
An Ipsos Reid poll suggests that Canadian donors have low levels of trust of “international development” charities. This article will attempt to explain why and suggest how to increase levels of trust. In September 2006 Ipsos Reid and The Muttart…
The Globe & Mail article I referred to above on Canadian disaster relief charities not complying with the rules provides one of many illustrations of the importance of Canadian charities understanding and complying with CRA guidelines on Canadian charities operating…
In the Travel Just case CRA had refused to register an organizations whose objects were very broad. The Federal Court of Appeal agreed with CRA. [Subsequently the Supreme Court of Canada refused an application for leave to appeal.] Travel Just…
There are many options for foreign universities who are interested in fundraising in Canada and I have discussed 6 different options. It is time to think of your alma mater or your parent’s alma mater and how Canadians can support…
In these files we list every country and the individual Canadian charities that operate in those countries according to the 2005 T3010 information. By providing this information charities and donors will be aware of which organizations operate in each country. …
This brief article looks at how many Canadian Charities operate in each foreign country. The Top Five countries of operation are the United States (964), Mexico (423), India (356), Haiti (285) and the Philippines (191). It is no surprise that…
This article discusses a Canadian legal perspective on Planned Giving Internationally. It was written by Mark Blumberg and recently appeared in “Your Guide to Charitable Giving and Estate Planning”, a supplement that appeared in the Globe and Mail on Friday…
Here is the full text of certain recent Canadian cases decided in the last few years that should be of particular interest to Canadian charities that operate outside of Canada. The 3 Federal Court of Appeal cases, namely the Tel-Aviv…
Recent Canadian cases such the Tel-Aviv Foundation case, The Magen David Adom case and the Bayit Leplitot case, all decided in the last few years should be of particular interest to Canadian charities that operate outside of Canada. They all…
In this article I discuss various options for non-Canadian non-profits and charities interested in fundraising or operating in Canada. January 15, 2008 Foreign Charities and Non-Profit Organizations Operating in and from Canada Many foreign charities (ie. non-Canadian charities) or non-profits…
This excellent slide presentation by Terry de March of the Canada Revenue Agency, Charities Directorate, highlights the most important compliance problems for registered Canadian face. Many charities could avoid problems by reading this article and ensuring compliance with the issues…
Canadian non-profits that do NOT have charitable status have their own legal requirements, which are different from those of registered charities. Such non-profits generally have greater flexibility in terms of activities, however, they do not have some of the advantages…
Here is a sample contractor agreement for a Canadian registered charity conducting foreign activities I prepared it for the Capacity Builders Charity Law Information Program (CLIP) in order to assist charities with understanding what such an agreement could look like.…
In this article I discuss how Canadian charities can work with other Canadian or International Organizations that are not registered Canadian charities as long as they maintain direction and control of the Canadian resources. It is very important that charities…
CRA has just released a new guidance called “Canadian Registered Charities Carrying out Activities Outside Canada”. Although the name indicates “foreign activities” this document deals with a lot more than foreign activities. It covers the relationship between a Canadian…