Over 5000 Canadian registered charities operate outside of Canada and they cumulatively spend around $3 billion per year on foreign activities.  The Fundamentals of International Activities by Canadian Registered Charities is a 1/2 day presentation with charity lawyer Mark Blumberg which discusses international activities by Canadian charities and related regulatory issues.  The first Fundamentals of International Activities by Canadian Registered Charities will be held on Tuesday September 22, 2015 from 1PM-4PM. Some charities operating abroad are not aware of, or compliant with, their legal requirements and foreign activities has been an area that has been scrutinized by CRA in its audits and can result in revocation of charitable status if the rules are not followed.

Some of the issues discussed include:

  • Ideas for doing good abroad that do not involve registered charities
  • Some general considerations for Canadian charities carrying on activities outside of Canada
  • Review of the importance of international philanthropy
    Why would a “local” Canadian charity such as a hospital want to carry out foreign activities?
  • An overview of the Income Tax Act (Canada) regulatory framework governing the 5,200 Canadian charities conducting foreign activities
  • The distinction between qualified donees and non-qualified donees
  • A detailed discussion of CRA publication “Canadian Registered Charities Carrying Out Activities Outside Canada”:
  • Direction and control over resources
  • Avoiding being a “conduit”
  • Abiding by local laws
  • Risk Management for international activities
  • Types of permissible relationships for Canadian charities operating abroad
  • Avoiding misuse of charitable assets
  • Charitable goods policy
  • Keeping books and records in Canada
  • Challenges in dealing with natural disasters
  • Transfers of Capital property to local partners
  • Misuse of international activities for private gain and abusive charity gifting tax shelters
  • Due diligence and procedures to avoid terrorist abuse
  • Inflated valuation of pharmaceuticals for developing countries
  • More in depth discussion of books and records
  • Some important ethical issues with foreign activities
  • Can “local ownership” be compatible with “direction and control”.

Cost: $125.00 (includes snacks and coffee, materials, and registration fees).  REGISTER HERE

The program will be led by charity lawyer Mark Blumberg.  

Fundamentals of International Activities by Canadian Registered Charities will be of interest to staff at non-profits and charities responsible for compliance issues especially program and finance staff, professional advisors such as lawyers and accountants who advise charities and non-profits, and board members of Canadian charities.

If you have questions please call Yana Yanovski at 416-361-1982 x238 or e-mail yana@blumbergs.ca

Timing and content is subject to change.  There are a limited number of spaces available for this course. 

Tickets are fully refundable until September 1, 2015 but not thereafter. If you register and are unable to attend, you are welcome to substitute someone else from your organization at any time. Dates and locations may be subject to change should circumstances arise.  All efforts will be made to notify you as soon as possible in this event.