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