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.

This episode explains the process for registering a hockey club as a charity in Canada. It outlines the specific criteria set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), including having a charitable purpose, demonstrating public benefit, and operating as a non-profit. The article details the steps involved in the registration process—gathering documentation, completing the application, and awaiting approval—and emphasizes the importance of maintaining compliance after registration. Finally, it highlights the various advantages of charity status, such as tax benefits, access to funding, and enhanced credibility within the community.

This episode is jointly sponsored by B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation, a Charity Law Firm exclusively serving charity and not-for-profit clients in Toronto, Ontario and across Canada with registration and governance, and B&H Charity Accounts Group, a bookkeeping firm serving Canadian charities in Ontario with all their financial and tax filing needs. Hat tip to our friends at OrgHub.ca, a new, innovative software platform that provides not-for-profits and charities across Canada with a solid foundation for incorporation and streamlined corporate governance.

B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation
https://www.charitylawgroup.ca/
P: 416-488-5888

B&H Charity Accounts Corporation
https://www.charityaccountingfirm.ca/

The episode argues for the critical importance of specialized legal counsel for Canadian charities. It highlights the complex nature of charity law, which involves multiple regulatory frameworks and unique legal concepts not found in general corporate law.

The discussion emphasizes that specialized charity lawyers offer significant advantages in navigating CRA compliance, achieving higher success rates for registrations, and providing long-term support.

Ultimately, engaging a charity law specialist is presented as a cost-effective investment that prevents costly mistakes, manages risks, and enables an organization's mission and growth.

This episode is jointly sponsored by B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation, a Charity Law Firm exclusively serving charity and not-for-profit clients in Toronto, Ontario and across Canada with registration and governance, and B&H Charity Accounts Group, a bookkeeping firm serving Canadian charities in Ontario with all their financial and tax filing needs. Hat tip to our friends at OrgHub.ca, a new, innovative software platform that provides not-for-profits and charities across Canada with a solid foundation for incorporation and streamlined corporate governance.

B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation
https://www.charitylawgroup.ca/
P: 416-488-5888

B&H Charity Accounts Corporation
https://www.charityaccountingfirm.ca/

This episode explains the complexities of charity-to-charity donations in Canada, particularly focusing on "designated gifts".

It highlights that while simple donations between individuals are straightforward, financial transfers between registered charities, especially those that are "non-arm's length" (connected by shared governance or family ties), are subject to strict regulations.

The primary challenge for non-arm's length charities receiving funds is the requirement to spend non-designated gifts, with severe penalties for non-compliance.

To mitigate this, the discussion introduces designated gifts, which offer the recipient charity flexibility in spending.

This episode is jointly sponsored by B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation, a Charity Law Firm exclusively serving charity and not-for-profit clients in Toronto, Ontario and across Canada with registration and governance, and B&H Charity Accounts Group, a bookkeeping firm serving Canadian charities in Ontario and across Canada with all their financial and tax filing needs, CRA compliance, and of course timely T3010 filings.

Hat tip to our friends at OrgHub.ca, a new, innovative software platform that provides not-for-profits and charities across Canada with a solid foundation for incorporation and streamlined corporate governance.

B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation
https://www.charitylawgroup.ca/
P: 416-488-5888

The episode outlines the legal framework governing Canadian charities seeking to fund or conduct operations internationally.

It explains that the Income Tax Act (Canada) offers two primary pathways for global engagement: transferring funds to "qualified donees" or conducting the charity's "own activities" abroad.

The document details who qualifies as a "donee," including registered Canadian organizations, international bodies like the UN, and specific foreign entities.

Furthermore, it clarifies that conducting "own activities" internationally requires the Canadian charity to maintain ultimate control and oversight, often through structured arrangements like agency or contractor agreements with foreign partners.

The episode emphasizes the importance of due diligence and compliance with both Canadian and international laws to ensure effective and legally sound global impact.

This episode is jointly sponsored by B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation, a Charity Law Firm exclusively serving charity and not-for-profit clients in Toronto, Ontario and across Canada with registration and governance, and B&H Charity Accounts Group, a bookkeeping firm serving Canadian charities in Ontario and across Canada with all their financial and tax filing needs, including of course timely T3010 filings.

Hat tip to our friends at OrgHub.ca, a new, innovative software platform that provides not-for-profits and charities across Canada with a solid foundation for incorporation and streamlined corporate governance.

B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation
https://www.charitylawgroup.ca/
P: 416-488-5888

This episode warns against using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Canadian charity registration applications due to frequent failures and significant delays.

It emphasizes that AI lacks a nuanced understanding of Canadian charity law requirements, struggles with complex evaluation criteria from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and fails to grasp governance requirements.

The discussion highlights the absence of strategic positioning and ongoing support from AI, leading to costly appeal processes and founder burnout.

Ultimately, the hosts advocate for professional legal guidance as a crucial investment for successful and efficient charity registration in Canada.

This episode is jointly sponsored by B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation, a Charity Law Firm exclusively serving charity and not-for-profit clients in Toronto, Ontario and across Canada with registration and governance, and B&H Charity Accounts Group, a bookkeeping firm serving Canadian charities in Ontario and across Canada with all their financial and tax filing needs, including of course timely T3010 filings.

Hat tip to our friends at OrgHub.ca, a new, innovative software platform that provides not-for-profits and charities across Canada with a solid foundation for incorporation and streamlined corporate governance.

B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation
https://www.charitylawgroup.ca/
P: 416-488-5888

B&H Charity Accounts Corporation
https://www.charityaccountingfirm.ca/

This comprehensive episode, Stay On The CRA's Good Side, outlines the essential requirements for Canadian registered charities to maintain compliance with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

It covers the CRA Charities Directorate's oversight role, detailing how they monitor compliance through various methods like T3010 screening and audits, and lists common triggers for reviews.

The episode emphasizes annual T3010 filing obligations, including deadlines, required schedules, and frequent errors to avoid, while also explaining the serious consequences of non-compliance.

Furthermore, it clarifies financial management requirements such as record-keeping, disbursement quota obligations, and acceptable expenditures, and details the strict rules for issuing donation receipts, including mandatory elements and common pitfalls.

Finally, the episode addresses rules around political activities, compliant business operations, working with non-qualified donees, and the necessity of notifying the CRA of organizational changes, concluding with advice on audit preparation and responding to compliance concerns.

This episode is jointly sponsored by B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation, a Charity Law Firm exclusively serving charity and not-for-profit clients in Toronto, Ontario and across Canada with registration and governance, and B&H Charity Accounts Group, a bookkeeping firm serving Canadian charities in Ontario with all their financial and tax filing needs. Hat tip to our friends at OrgHub.ca, a new, innovative software platform that provides not-for-profits and charities across Canada with a solid foundation for incorporation and streamlined corporate governance.

B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation
https://www.charitylawgroup.ca/
P: 416-488-5888

B&H Charity Accounts Corporation
https://www.charityaccountingfirm.ca/

This episode comprehensively outlines the severe repercussions for Canadian registered charities that fail to file their annual T3010 Registered Charity Information Return on time. It explains that this critical document serves as a public accountability mechanism, reporting an organization's activities, finances, and governance. The discussion details immediate consequences like penalties and damage to public standing, escalating to the terrifying threat of charity registration revocation, which can lead to the loss of tax benefits and forced asset transfer. Furthermore, it highlights the devastating financial and operational impacts of non-compliance, emphasizing reputational damage and the paralysis an organization faces. Ultimately, the episode stresses that prevention through robust compliance systems is paramount to avoid organizational catastrophe and preserve a charity's mission.

This episode is jointly sponsored by B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation, a Charity Law Firm exclusively serving charity and not-for-profit clients in Toronto, Ontario and across Canada with registration and governance, and B&H Charity Accounts Group, a bookkeeping firm serving Canadian charities in Ontario and across Canada with all their financial and tax filing needs, including of course timely T3010 filings.

Hat tip to our friends at OrgHub.ca, a new, innovative software platform that provides not-for-profits and charities across Canada with a solid foundation for incorporation and streamlined corporate governance.

B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation
https://www.charitylawgroup.ca/
P: 416-488-5888

B&H Charity Accounts Corporation
https://www.charityaccountingfirm.ca/