The following paper is the culmination of The Philanthropist’s series “Canadian Charities Working Internationally,” which began in March 2015. In it, Toronto charity lawyer Andrew Valentine outlines the challenges with the current “direction and control” rules that apply to Canadian charities working abroad. He also presents proposals to reform the system, ranging from simple administrative…
This article is the eleventh in a series on Indigenous Communities and Philanthropy, guest edited by The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. SUMMARY: This article begins with the question of how philanthropy can possibly address the magnitude of the environmental and cultural change which is occurring on a global scale. Philanthropy can…
This article is the ninth in a series on Canadian Charities Working Internationally. Globetrotting or Global Citizenship? Perils and Potential of International Experiential Learning Edited by Rebecca Tiessen and Robert Huish University of Toronto Press ISBN: 9781442626119 Reviewed by: Bernadette Johnson A common way for Canadians to first experience countries of the global South is…
This article is the eighth in a series on Canadian Charities Working Internationally. SUMMARY: In this opinion piece, Philanthropist editor Gordon Floyd takes a look at the recent flurry of charity audits by CRA’s Charities Directorate and notes that many have been of charities, such as environmental groups, whose views are at odds with those…
This article is the seventh in a series on Canadian Charities Working Internationally. SUMMARY: Myles McGregor-Lowndes, Director of The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, examines fiscal policies regarding cross-border philanthropy in two jurisdictions: Australia and the UK. Australia’s restrictive policy confines the benefits of its charitable tax relief largely to taxpayers who reside…
This article is the sixth in a series on Canadian Charities Working Internationally. SUMMARY: Juniper Glass traces the history of international development organizations in Canada from the earliest religious missions to the present day. The article examines the major advancement and challenges in each decade together with insights from thought leaders in the field. RÉSUMÉ :…
This article is the fifth in a series on Canadian Charities Working Internationally. Canadians like to think of themselves as both internationally minded people and as coming from a tradition of humanitarian action. However, few stop to ask why global charities are never headquartered in Canada. There is no major international charity with affiliated entities…
This article is the fourth in a series on Canadian Charities Working Internationally. SUMMARY: Julia Sanchez, president and CEO of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, outlines the three basic elements of an enabling environment for international charities: dialogue to include organizations in designing and implementing development processes; funding to allow them to play diverse…
This article is the third in a series on Canadian Charities Working Internationally. SUMMARY : The principal type of grantmaking charity in the United States is the private foundation. When these foundations make international grants, they must comply with certain rules under the IRS tax code or face a penalty. In 1972, Treasury Department issued regulations…
This article is the second in a series on Canadian Charities Working Internationally. ABSTRACT: Canadian charities working internationally are subject to regulations that are intended to boost accountability and ensure that charitable dollars flow to genuinely charitable activity. Recently the Canada Revenue Agency has stepped up audits of these same charities. Increased accountability demands are…