Should We Establish a Canadian Non-Profit or Charity and How to Do It?

When you are trying to make the world a better place, there are many options. Establishing a non-profit that is not a charity, or a charity or a for-profit social enterprise is a difficult decision. Better to understand the options before you invest too much time, effort and money into your initiative.

The topics covered in this two-hour course include:

Options for structuring an initiative for public good, such as a for-profit social enterprise, non-profit or registered charity
How to achieve ‘good’ both inside and outside the charitable sector
Should we join an existing charitable organization?
Should we obtain registered charity status or just be a non-profit without charity status?
Issues to consider and why each situation is different?
Problems with alternative arrangements in Canada such as “fiscal sponsorship”, “trusteeship” or “shared platforms”
Incorporation and Organization of Non-Profit Corporation
Should we establish a Federal or provincial non-profit?
The importance of objects and organizing the non-profit corporation including directors and members
How to apply for registered charity status in Canada
The costs and timelines for establishing for-profits, non-profits and registered charities
The benefits of having more than one structure (i.e. charity, non-profit and for-profit) in some cases

This course is aimed at individuals and groups considering different structures for carrying out good works in Canada and outside of Canada.