In this episode, we cover some common questions concerning Canadian charity law, offering guidance for both new and established organizations. It strongly warns against the dangerous misconception of "borrowing" another charity's registration number while awaiting approval, which carries severe legal consequences including potential revocation of charitable status. The discussion clarifies that new rules for political activities eliminate the previous resource percentage restriction, allowing charities more freedom for non-partisan public policy dialogue if aligned with their mission. Furthermore, it explains that director residency requirements are more flexible than commonly thought. Finally, the episode cautions that social activities must be limited and must serve a fundraising or incidental purpose to the charity's core mission.

Support for Your Canadian Charity or Not-for-Profit

Running a successful charity requires passion for your mission and a rock-solid foundation. This episode is made possible by the professional teams who help organizations like yours thrive.

Legal Guidance for Canadian Charities: Navigating the legal landscape for charities and not-for-profits can be complex. Whether you're just starting or need to shore up your governance, you need a Charity Lawyer on your side.

B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation A dedicated law firm exclusively serving charities and not-for-profits in Toronto, Ontario, and across Canada. Serving:

• CRA Charity Registration
• Nonprofit Incorporation
• Corporate Governance & CRA Compliance
• ONCA Updates (Ontario nonprofit compliance)
• Bylaw Reviews and Policy Development
• Ready to build, grow, or protect your organization?
  • Website: https://www.charitylawgroup.ca/
  • Email: welcome@charitylawgroup.ca
  • Phone: 416-488-5888

Bookkeeping & Tax Services for Ontario Charities: Keeping your charity's finances and tax filings in perfect order is essential for transparency and success. For specialized Charity financial management, we recommend:

• B&H Charity Accounts Corporation A professional bookkeeping firm focused on the unique needs of Canadian charities in Ontario. Their services ensure you're always compliant and mission-ready, including:
  • Full-Cycle Bookkeeping
  • CRA T3010 Charity Information Return Filing
  • Financial Reporting and Budgeting
• Stop stressing about spreadsheets and focus on your mission.
  • Website: https://www.charityaccountingfirm.ca/

A Special Mention: A huge thank you to our friends at OrgHub.ca, an innovative software platform that provides not-for-profits and charities across Canada with a streamlined, modern foundation for incorporation and corporate governance.

This comprehensive guide from the B.I.G. Charity Law Group details the intricate processes of charity mergers and amalgamations in Canada, outlining when such strategic moves make sense, the legal distinctions between them, and the critical due diligence required.

It further explains the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) approval requirements, the necessary member and board approval processes, and complex considerations for asset and liability transfers.

Finally, the episode addresses post-merger integration challenges and emphasizes the crucial role of professional support across legal, financial, and organizational development domains for successful outcomes.

* * *

Support for Your Canadian Charity or Not-for-Profit

Running a successful charity requires passion for your mission and a rock-solid foundation. This episode is made possible by the professional teams who help organizations like yours thrive.

Legal Guidance for Canadian Charities: Navigating the legal landscape for charities and not-for-profits can be complex. Whether you're just starting or need to shore up your governance, you need a Charity Lawyer on your side.

B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation A dedicated law firm exclusively serving charities and not-for-profits in Toronto, Ontario, and across Canada. Serving:

• CRA Charity Registration
• Nonprofit Incorporation
• Corporate Governance & CRA Compliance
• ONCA Updates (Ontario nonprofit compliance)
• Bylaw Reviews and Policy Development
• Ready to build, grow, or protect your organization?
  • Website: https://www.charitylawgroup.ca/
  • Email: welcome@charitylawgroup.ca
  • Phone: 416-488-5888

Bookkeeping & Tax Services for Ontario Charities: Keeping your charity's finances and tax filings in perfect order is essential for transparency and success. For specialized Charity financial management, we recommend:

• B&H Charity Accounts Corporation A professional bookkeeping firm focused on the unique needs of Canadian charities in Ontario. Their services ensure you're always compliant and mission-ready, including:
  • Full-Cycle Bookkeeping
  • CRA T3010 Charity Information Return Filing
  • Financial Reporting and Budgeting
• Stop stressing about spreadsheets and focus on your mission.
  • Website: https://www.charityaccountingfirm.ca/

A Special Mention: A huge thank you to our friends at OrgHub.ca, an innovative software platform that provides not-for-profits and charities across Canada with a streamlined, modern foundation for incorporation and corporate governance.

This comprehensive episode details the Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) Charity Application Checklist, serving as a critical roadmap for organizations seeking registered charity status in Canada. It breaks down the four main pillars of the CRA's review process, covering initial documentation, governing documents, scrutiny of charitable objects and activities, and financial and governance oversight. The discussion emphasizes common pitfalls and red flags that can lead to application rejection, while also offering pro tips for successful registration, such as self-auditing and ensuring consistency across all submitted materials. Finally, it outlines what happens after the review, including approval, rejection, and crucial post-registration compliance obligations, all designed to maintain public trust and secure significant tax benefits for qualified organizations.

Support for Your Canadian Charity or Not-for-Profit

Running a successful charity requires passion for your mission and a rock-solid foundation. This episode is made possible by the professional teams who help organizations like yours thrive.

Legal Guidance for Canadian Charities: Navigating the legal landscape for charities and not-for-profits can be complex. Whether you're just starting or need to shore up your governance, you need a Charity Lawyer on your side.

B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation A dedicated law firm exclusively serving charities and not-for-profits in Toronto, Ontario, and across Canada. Serving:

• CRA Charity Registration
• Nonprofit Incorporation
• Corporate Governance & CRA Compliance
• ONCA Updates (Ontario nonprofit compliance)
• Bylaw Reviews and Policy Development
• Ready to build, grow, or protect your organization?
  • Website: https://www.charitylawgroup.ca/
  • Email: welcome@charitylawgroup.ca
  • Phone: 416-488-5888

Bookkeeping & Tax Services for Ontario Charities: Keeping your charity's finances and tax filings in perfect order is essential for transparency and success. For specialized Charity financial management, we recommend:

• B&H Charity Accounts Corporation A professional bookkeeping firm focused on the unique needs of Canadian charities in Ontario. Their services ensure you're always compliant and mission-ready, including:
  • Full-Cycle Bookkeeping
  • CRA T3010 Charity Information Return Filing
  • Financial Reporting and Budgeting
• Stop stressing about spreadsheets and focus on your mission.
  • Website: https://www.charityaccountingfirm.ca/

A Special Mention: A huge thank you to our friends at OrgHub.ca, an innovative software platform that provides not-for-profits and charities across Canada with a streamlined, modern foundation for incorporation and corporate governance.