Road to Accountability

Plain language resource materials and learning opportunities on accountability and transparency practices for registered charities and not-for-profit organizations.

Learning Modules:

• Accountability – The Basics
• Accountability – Tools
• Transparency – The Basics

Resource Materials:

The following resources were developed by the Charity Central project team. The audiences for the resources are small, medium and large charities; staff, board members and volunteers involved with charities; and professionals and educational agencies that support the charitable sector. These resources were created to further assist registered charities and compliment the learning modules and FAQs available on this site.

• Road to Accountability Self-Diagnostics Pack – A three part pack for registered charities to assess their current accountability and transparency practices, to access more information and to develop an action plan to move closer to being accountable.
• Road to Accountability Self-Diagnostics Pack (Large Print) – A three part pack for registered charities to assess their current accountability and transparency practices, to access more information and to develop an action plan to move closer to being accountable.
• Road to Accountability Handbook – Introduces the concept of accountability and transparency, shares some good accountability and transparency practices.
• Road to Accountability Handbook (Large Print) – Introduces the concept of accountability and transparency, shares some good accountability and transparency practices.
• Accountability and Transparency – Board Self-Assessment – Edmonton Community Leagues
• Alberta Legislation of Significance for Charities and Non-Profit Organizations – Charities that are resident or operate in Alberta should be aware that there are many provincial laws that apply to them. This information sheet outlines some of the most common statutes that have significance for charities.
• Administrative Calendar – A tool to keep track of accountability and transparency practices. (Fillable PDF document)
• Books and Records – Information and resource materials on books and records.
• Registered Charities and Ineligible Individuals – Registered charities have certain obligations under the Income Tax Act. On August 27, 2014, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), which monitors the operations of registered charities, released Guidance (CG-024) on the ineligible individual provisions contained in the Income Tax Act (ITA).
• Dissolution: A Guide for Alberta Non-Profits. Rev. 2015. Just like people, organizations have a life span; they come into existence on registration and pass on when they are dissolved. This document looks at what is involved for non-profit organizations at the end stage of an organization’s life.
• Filing Checklist for Registered Charities and NFPs Operating in Alberta – This checklist sets out some of the more common and important filings that registered charities and not-for-profits incorporated in Alberta must make to the government of Alberta and to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
• Financial Information Kit – The purpose of this kit is to provide basic information on keeping financial records to facilitate compliance by registered charities with the requirements of the Canada Revenue Agency.
• Financial Management Resources for Alberta Non-Profits and Registered Charities. (2018). This publication provides information and links to organizations and resources in the areas of: governance, bylaw, policies and procedures, audits, accountability and transparency, liability of directors and officers, and dissolution.
• Fundraising – Information and resource materials on fundraising.
• Fundraising Activities Checklist – Planning a fundraising event? Developing a fundraising plan? This checklist will help you to be more accountable in your fundraising activities.
• Legal Requirements for Non-Profit Organizations and Registered Charities – Both registered charities and non-profit organizations must comply with certain requirements under the Income Tax Act. This tipsheet provides a general list of both federal and provincial laws and where to get specific information.
• Privacy Policy Checklist – Many registered charities are confused about whether or not they must comply with privacy laws, and whether the laws they must comply with are federal, provincial, or perhaps both. This Checklist will help to answer these questions and provide general guidelines to assist with compliance. It will help registered charities draft their own privacy and information handling policies by highlighting the questions to be addressed and suggesting possible outcomes.
• Receipting – Information and resource materials on receipting.

More Information:

Assessing Administrative Costs for Charities

• Charities and Administration Costs – “Running a charity costs money. All charities spend money on administration – without it they wouldn’t be able to operate and pursue their charitable purpose.”  This information has been produced by the Australian Charities and Non-Profit Commission it discusses the pros and cons of assessing and comparing charity administration costs as a key factor in donation decisions.
• How Much Should a Canadian Registered Charity Spend on Administration Costs (2018) Mark Blumberg. Blumberg Segal LLP. This blog post discusses why low overhead may not be a good thing for a charity and what is appropriate.