Links to more helpful resources…

Links to additional resources on becoming a registered charity and maintaining and operating your registered charity.

The projects listed below were initiatives funded by the Canada Revenue Agency – Charities Directorate 

Canadian Association for the Deaf

Project TitleCompliance in the Disability Charity Sector
Project DescriptionThe Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD) is leading a new initiative designed to help disability-sector organizations meet tax requirements more effectively. Their project, called Compliance in the Disability Charity Sector, operated from December 1, 2007 to March 31, 2010. The goal of the project was to contact more than one hundred existing or aspiring charities across Canada and provide them with tools and presentations to help them work through tax and compliance issues. The project was created to serve charities that serve the needs of persons with disabilities.
Educational FocusFundraising, receipting, and maintaining books and records
ReachNational (French)
ResourcesShort audio/visual presentations (includes simultaneous sign language presentation) on accounting practices, directors and officers, gifts and donations, board governance, and risk management
Websitehttp://cad.ca/projects-and-programs/compliance-in-the-disability-charity-sector/

The Charities File

Project TitleThe Charities File: On Board
Educational FocusCompliance for small and rural charities
ReachNational
ResourcesCharity Treasurer

Charitable Compliance

Good Governance Best Practices

Charitable Compliance

Fundraising Committee

Listing of Fundraising Development Committee Responsibilities (The Charities File)

WebsiteThese resources are now housed on the Capacity Canada website.

Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador

Atlantic Charities Learning Exchange (ACLE)

Project DescriptionThe Atlantic Charities Learning Exchange was the lead for the project, partnering with Community Links, NS, Centre de Benevolat de la Peninsule Acadienne Inc., NB, volunteer Centre of Southeastern New Brunswick, and Voluntary Resource Centre, PEI. ACLE established a learning community to exchange resources and support mentoring for small and rural charities in the four Atlantic provinces. Compliance needs of small and rural charities were assessed and reflected in telelearning sessions. An inventory of mentors was developed and promoted.
Educational FocusCompliance for small and rural charities
StatusCompleted March 2010
Resourceshttp://communitysector.nl.ca/atlantic-charities-learning-exchange/resources
Websitehttp://communitysector.nl.ca/atlantic-charities-learning-exchange

Éducaloi

Project DescriptionThe project developed legal information capsules and a toolbox to help organizations to improve their level of knowledge of the requirements and obligations related to this special status, as well as alternatives to registration, before they make an application to register as a charity.
Educational FocusRequirements and obligations of charitable registration and alternatives to registration
ReachNational (French)
StatusCompleted March 2010
ResourcesChecklists; info sheets on becoming a registered charity, fundraising, donations and receipts, rules;quizes; and a glossary
Websitehttps://www.educaloi.qc.ca/en/capsules/introduction-registered-charities

 

Project DescriptionTo develop an online project which will provide access to products which will include videos, webinars and information capsules related to accountability and transparency for registered charities
Educational FocusAccountability and transparency in the charitable sector
ReachNational (English and French)
ResourcesResources in development include – videos; webinars; and information sheets
Websitehttps://www.educaloi.qc.ca/en/search/node/charities

Imagine Canada

Project TitleCharity Tax Tools
Project DescriptionCharity Tax Tools is a free comprehensive information website with easy-to-understand content developed by Imagine Canada.
Educational FocusFundraising, receipting, and maintaining books and records
ReachNational (English and French)
StatusCompletion March 2010
ResourcesThe website provides Canadian charities with timely information and tools to ensure they have the resources to meet Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requirements. The website is most advantageous for small and medium-sized charities, as well as the many legal and accounting advisers/practitioners who do not specialize in the sector, but nevertheless support charities.
The overall goal of the Charity Tax Tools website is to provide support to Canadian charities in the areas of receipting fundraising activities, maintaining books and records and reporting to the CRA.
Websitehttp://charitytax.imaginecanada.ca/

 

Project TitleTo be a charity or not?
Project DescriptionThe purpose of this project was to educate potential charitable registrants, through a variety of delivery channels, on the obligations of charitable status and the alternatives to charitable registration.
Educational FocusRequirements and obligations of charitable registration and alternatives to registration
ReachNational (English and French)
StatusCompletion March 2010
Resourceswebsite
Websitehttp://sectorsource.ca/managing-organization/charity-tax-tools/starting-organization

 

Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS)

Project TitleThe Form T3010, Registered Charity Return: “Everything you always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask”
Project DescriptionThe Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS) introduced an annotated version of the CRA’s Information Return (T3010A-05 and associated forms) for Registered Charities in Canada. This annotated return was developed to aid organizations in successfully fulfilling its obligation under the Income Tax Act to file an information return each year, no later than six month after the end of your fiscal period.
Educational FocusCompliance for small and rural charities
ReachNational (English and French)
StatusCompleted March 2009
ResourcesAnnotated T3010
Websitehttps://www.legalinfo.org/non-profit-charitable-organizations/non-profit-guide

 

Project TitleTo Be or Not to Be a Charity: The Decision Tree
Project DescriptionThe purpose of this project was to create a decision tree for organizations considering charitable registration to allow them to determine:

  • whether their application is likely to be approved;
  • whether registration would truly be of benefit to them; and
  • the real consequences of being granted status.
Educational FocusRequirements and obligations of charitable registration and alternatives to registration
ReachNational (English and French)
ResourcesOnline Interactive decsion tree;
Websitehttps://www.charitydecisiontree.legalinfo.org/

Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (Charity Central)

Project TitleEnhancing Voluntary Compliance: Fundraising, Receipting and Books and Records
Project DescriptionThe goal of this project was to enhance the voluntary compliance of registered charities in meeting the requirements of fundraising, issuing receipts for donations, and maintaining books and records
Educational FocusFundraising, receipting, and maintaining books and records
ReachNational
ResourcesAnnotated bibliography, website, tipsheets, fast facts, podcasts, articles, learning modules, FAQs
StatusCompleted March 2010
Websitewww.charitycentral.ca

 

Project TitleRoad to Accountability
Project DescriptionThe goal of this project is to assist small and mid-sized charities to assess and improve their state of transparency and accountability.
Educational FocusAccountability and transparency in the charitable sector
ReachNational (English and French)
StatusUnder development. Completion March 2011
ResourcesOnline annotated bibliography; plain language resource kit on accountability and transparency with self-diagnostic pack; Road to Accountability Handbook; tipsheets and online learning module
Websitewww.charitycentral.ca

Ontario Community Support Association

Capacity Builders / Charity Law Information Program (CLIP)

Project DescriptionThe project’s goal was to help Canadian charities become more aware of their legal obligations under the Income Tax Act and to increase compliance with those requirements.
CLIP provides plain-language resources, tools and practical training so a registered charity can quickly get the information it needs to ensure it is meeting legal obligations. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting small and rural charities.
Educational FocusCompliance for small and rural charities
ReachNational (French and English)
Resources
Websitehttp://www.capacitybuilders.ca/clip—charity-law-information-program.html

Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NS)

Project TitleWelcome Aboard – Resources for Board Members, Staff and Volunteers in the Charities Sector
Project DescriptionPLEIS-NB has developed a number of bilingual resources to help individuals better understand the roles and responsibilities of board members, executive directors and volunteers. The resources contain information on:

  • the challenges of small and rural organizations with regards to compliance;
  • the role of board members and officers, responsibilities and liabilities in plain language;
  • the importance of board education and training and creating a corporate memory;
  • direct individuals to resources available to help the charities sector
Educational FocusCompliance for small and rural charities
ReachOnline (English and French)
StatusCompleted March 2010
ResourcesBilingual pamphlets; video; information sheets; handbook
Websitewww.legal-info-legale.nb.ca/en/charities