Online resources for charities.

• Author: Till-Rogers, Margo
• Position: Online Law

Canadians are a generous lot and, according to Statistics Canada, most of us donate to charities, volunteer our time, or help others directly at least once per year.

There are over 80,000 Canadian charities registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and volunteers play a key role in the operation and running of these organizations. Despite the significant contribution charities make to the Canadian economy, the CRA reports that many operate with little or no paid staff

Getting a handle on the responsibilities of operating a registered charity may be challenged for time-pressed charity administrators. Fortunately, there are many sources of help available online.

Resources for Charities

Canada Revenue Agency: Charities http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/chrts/menu-eng.html

Charities in Canada must be registered through Canada Revenue Agency's Charities Directorate. The Directorate provides advice on the operations of charitable organizations and maintains information and regulations on audits and compliance. Key elements of the website are the searchable list of registered Canadian charities and the comprehensive collection of educational resources. The 'checklists for charities' are easy-to-use tools that guide registered charities through various responsibilities which apply to the non-profit sector, from basic guidelines on maintaining charitable status to questions about proper receipting practices. Charities can keep up-to-date by subscribing to the Canada Revenue Agency's Charities and Giving--What's New electronic mailing list, by adding the RSS feed to their feed reader or by following the CRA on Twitter at @CanRevAgency.

Under their Charities Outreach and Partnerships Program, the Canada Revenue Agency has provided funding for educational programs to a number of organizations, including those listed here.

Charity Central http://www.charitycentral.ca

Charity Central provides guidance to Canadian charities on their legislated responsibilities under the Income Tax Act. Targeting charities of all sizes, the Charity Central website offers assistance in the areas of receipting, fundraising, record-keeping, and accountability and transparency practices. Information is presented in a variety of formats, from interactive information maps to learning modules. There is a wide range of resources to be found here, including checklists and tipsheets, fast facts and lists of FAQs. Details of upcoming training sessions and workshops can be...