April 3, 2008 – CRA has just released the latest T3010 information which is for the year 2006 and it shows another large increase in funds spent by Canadian charities operating abroad. In fact in 2006 Canadian charities spent over…
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
The Canadian Federal Budget, delivered in March 2007, provided an additional tax incentive to Canadian pharmaceutical companies to provide drugs to certain Canadian registered charities as long as the drugs will be used outside of Canada. The March 2007 budget…
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…
Alliance Magazine has a summary of this UK article on Who Gives for Overseas Development? at This article may be of interest to professional fundraisers who work on international development and humanitarian aid. It may or may not be…
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. …
This interesting book provides lots of insights into grantmaking in Africa.
There is a high-level thought-provoking article entitled “Creating High-Impact Nonprofits” By Heather McLeod Grant & Leslie R. Crutchfield that was published last year in the Stanford Social Innovation Review. It may be particularly useful to those interested in improving their…
How much charitable giving actually supports the most needy? I recently read this article on a study commissioned by Google.org which shows that in the US the answer is that little of the charitable donations made by individual donors actually…
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…
The website GlobalPhilanthropy.ca assists Canadian individuals, non-profits and charities to conduct foreign activities including international development, humanitarian assistance, and education. GlobalPhilanthropy.ca provides resources to assist those interested in conducting charitable activities outside of Canada with the the legal, ethical and…
Although the law, governance and ethics are closely intertwined there is little written about ethics of Canadian charities operating abroad. Here are some links that may be of assistance to Canadian charities that operate outside of Canada to understand some…
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…
I am going to read “Making a Difference in Africa: Advice from Experienced Grantmakers” by Rob Buchanan and Jayne Booker. If I have time I will be looking at “Taking Philanthropy Seriously: Beyond Noble Intentions to Responsible Giving” edited by…
This European Foundation Centre and the Council on Foundations guide on Disaster Grantmaking sets out principles of good disaster management for charities, foundations and corporations. DISASTER GRANTMAKING: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations The Report of a Joint Working…
Inc. Magazine recently wrote an article entitled “Everybody Wants to Save the World: But when you start a charity overseas, good intentions often go awry” The article profiles Troy Wiseman, former owner of fashion label, BUM International. “There was a…