Registered charities, non-profit organizations, and other tax-exempt entities often choose to operate as unincorporated – or voluntary – associations, because of the lack of legal requirements (and fees) associated with this type of organizational structure. As a result, however, these organizations can’t enter into legal agreements, can’t hold title to real property, and can’t protect members from liability.
Hopes are high that changes to the Income Tax Act will make it easier to fund non-qualified donees, meaning more resources, more flexibility, and more collaboration between funders and organizations that have often been shut out. The two-month consultation period on the draft guidelines ends January 31.
Over the past year, academics and policy experts have been reporting on what appear to be discriminatory practices in the CRA’s audits of Muslim-led charities. Contributor Memona Hossain suggests six ways the sector can help confront this systemic flaw and work with the Muslim charitable sector to build a strong, authentic, and unapologetic Muslim narrative.
Plus tôt cette année, en réaction aux appels de l’ensemble du secteur exhortant le gouvernement fédéral à remplacer la règle de « direction et contrôle », un
The CRA has released draft guidance for new rules that will allow grantmakers to provide resources to organizations that are not qualified donees. Philanthropic Foundations Canada encourages others to share their feedback so that PFC may consider it as part of its submission to the CRA in response.
When a person dies, their executor has a maximum of 60 months to make any testamentary gifts to charities. For estates that are complex, that might not be sufficient time. Maria Elena Hoffstein and Stephen Hsia argue that extending the window could unlock more giving to the charitable sector.
Should an organization be able to have social impact and generate profit? Sarah G. Fitzpatrick looks at the development of hybrid organizations in Canada – and how any further development would benefit from a comprehensive analysis of whether there is a need or space for hybrid organizations.
The concept of generating positive benefits beyond just financial returns is particularly attractive to grantmaking foundations that steward endowments. But the president of Max Bell Foundation argues that a number of concerns about “responsible investing” make it premature to advocate that government should push charitable endowments in that direction.
