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

Establishing a non-profit with or without charitable status is a difficult decision with significant responsibilities.

The topics covered in this presentation include:

• Options for Structuring an initiative for public good such as a Social Enterprise, Non-profit or Charity
• How to achieve ‘good’ both inside and outside the charitable sector
• Should we join an existing charitable organization? [short and detailed version)
• Should We Obtain Registered Charity Status or Just be Non-Profit?
• Issues to consider and why each situation is different?
• Problems with alternative arrangements 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