Operating a charity internationally

We hear all the time how our world has become a global village, how we can reach out to people across the planet in a matter of seconds. This is true for charitable organizations as well, many of which focus...

All Abroad! The ins and outs of operating internationally

There’s an old saying that states “charity starts at home”. That may be so, but oftentimes, once the seed of charitable activity has been planted the branches quickly spread outward. So it is with the many people and organizations that...

Understanding the disbursement quota

Registered charities are required by law to distribute the bulk of their receipted revenue to causes or activities in line with their charitable mission. But the numbers aren't always as cut and dried as one might expect. Adam Aptowitzer, a...

Should NPOs be at the P3 table?

Despite the oft-maligned paradigm of governments entering into contract with private firms to provide services and/or build infrastructure for the public good, public-private partnerships, or P3s, continue to gain steam in Canada. Skeptics say the fact that governments can borrow...

Budget 2007: Legal implications for charities

The federal Conservatives presented their 2007 budget on March 19th and there was some good news for charities, namely the elimination of capital gains tax on the donation of publicly-listed securities to private foundations. Adam Aptowitzer, a lawyer with the...

Completing your charity information return

Although charities are exempt from paying taxes, the Canada Revenue Agency still requires them to fill out paperwork, namely the Registered Charity Information Return, better known as the T3010. Adam Aptowitzer, a lawyer with the Ottawa-based law firm Drache LLP,...

Determining the value of charitable gifts

While cash donations are always welcome, many charities are also happy to accept gifts in kind. However, unlike cashing a cheque, it's not always clear what the value of a gift in kind actually is, which makes filling out a...

Receipting issues affecting registered charities

To receipt or not to receipt, that is the question. Well, actually, that's just one of the questions that crops up when a charity receives a donation. Adam Aptowitzer, a lawyer with the Ottawa-based law firm Drache LLP, reviews the...

How donors can make the most of their assets

Beyond cash, there are many other types of gifts that donors can give to charity. Adam Aptowitzer, a lawyer with the Ottawa-based law firm Drache LLP, reviews some of the options and what charities need to keep in mind when...

Charities and the appeals process

This article continues our series on a charity’s dispute with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). In our last article we dealt with the first formal stage of a dispute, the audit process, culminating when the charity receives a notice of...
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