There is an interesting article in a newsletter entitled Global Trends in NGO Law published by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law.  In this article it discusses how many countries are restricting charities and philanthropists from funding projects or operating on their soil.

The barriers vary from country to country but in some casees include a prohibition of certain types of foreign funding; requirements that NGOs obtain government permission for funding; restrictions on funding certain types of entities or certain types of activities; having the funding go through government; prohibitive tax burdens on foreign funds and other restrictions such as refusing to issue visas. 

Canadian charities should always be aware when they operate abroad of the foreign law of the countries they are operating in.

To read the article go to:  http://www.icnl.org/knowledge/globaltrends/GloTrends1-2.htm

Mark Blumberg is a lawyer at Blumberg Segal LLP in Toronto, Ontario.  He can be contacted at mark@blumbergs.ca or at 416-361-1982. To find out more about legal services that Blumbergs provides to Canadian charities and non-profits please visit www.canadiancharitylaw.ca or www.globalphilanthropy.ca

This article is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be legal advice. You should not act or abstain from acting based upon such information without first consulting a legal professional.