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 paper I wrote a few years ago on Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRT) in Canada. The CRT vehicle is extensively used in the US and less so in Canada. There is a concern that if…
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…
The bad economic times, the war in Iraq and increasingly worsening socio-economic situation in the US is having some Democrats and Republicans wonder whether the structure and tax incentives for the charitable sector is working. Will Canada follow the lead…
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…
Industry Canada on June 13, 2008 has introduced Bill C-62 – a new Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (NFPC) to replace the Canada Corporations Act (CCA). This bill will be of particular interest to Canadian charities that are incorporated federally under…
The Global Philanthropy Forum is presented by the World Affairs Council of Northern California. The 2008 title was “Human Security, Human Rights and the Shared Responsibility to Protect: A conversation between elders and emerging leaders”. They had some excellent speakers…
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
Here is a copy of my recent article Global Philanthropy Growing as World Shrinks which appeared in the CAGP Toronto 2008 Supplement Your Guide To Giving Back. View Article
Here is Your Guide to Charitable Giving and Estate Planning produced by the CAGP Greater Toronto Roundtable 2008. It was inserted in the Globe and Mail. I have a couple of articles in this edition. GlobalPhilanthropy.ca was created by Mark…
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…
Here is a copy of the Blumbergs Canadian Charity Law List – May 2008 with articles on subjects such as the Burma Cyclone and Sanctions, Flow-Through Share donations schemes, risk management and volunteers, planned giving in a global world, the…
A recent report entitled “The Commitment to Development Index for Africa: How Much do the Richest Countries Help the Poorest Continent? is well worth reading. As we know Canada has a good reputation in terms of helping developing countries. The…
I am just back from the 2008 AGM of the Canadian Council for International Co-operation. It was awe inspiring to see some of the wonderful work being done by Canadian charities in the international development realm. Not only was this…
In these files we list every country and the individual Canadian charities that operate in those countries according to the 2006 T3010 information. By providing this information charities and donors will be aware of which organizations operate in each country. …
The Hudson Institute Center for Global Prosperity discusses the role of the private sector, both for profit and non-profit “in the creation of economic growth and prosperity in the developing world.” Their 2008 Index of Global Philanthropy is an excellent…
Here is a copy of my powerpoint presentation entitled Bequests in Wills In Canada – Avoiding Legal and Ethical Problems When Supporting Good Causes – Ontario Bar Assocation May 14, 2008.
The recent Cyclone Nargis in Burma has killed many people and caused tremendous devastation. Well-meaning Canadians should be careful to respond appropriately in order to ensure that their donations will be used effectively. Canadian organizations need to consider carefully their…
Here is a copy of Neil Cochrane’s presentation Fundraising Policy Overview to the CAGP in April 2008. Download Article
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