Who is eligible

Your organization must be resident in Canada and created or established in Canada.

For example, it cannot be established under a foreign statute.

Your organization must exist solely to further its charitable purposes and not any other unstated purposes.^{Footnote 2}

If it’s established to generate profit or pursue non-charitable purposes, then it is not eligible.

For more information: Charitable purposes and activities.

Your organization must use all of its resources—including funds, personnel, and property—in compliance with the requirements of the Act.^{Footnote 3}

This means your organization can carry out its own activities, either directly or through an intermediary. It can also make qualifying disbursements to other organizations. Each approach is subject to its own requirements.

Learn about the ways your organization can use its resources

You must answer every question on the application as completely and thoroughly as possible, especially when describing your organization's activities.

You must also submit all necessary supporting documents and ensure your governing documents are complete and up to date.

Providing false information to obtain charitable registration is an offense under the Act and can lead to your charity's status being revoked.

You are responsible for providing real, detailed, and credible plans to show that your organization qualifies for registration as a charity.

If you don't know how your organization will operate, apply later when you are ready.

Your organization is not eligible for registration if it makes any part of its income available for the personal benefit of its members, shareholders, directors, trustees or officials.

This means that, among other things, your organization cannot:

• pay dividends to its shareholders or to members of a cooperative
• pay someone a salary to sit on the board of directors (however, a director can still be paid for other services rendered)

Your organization is not eligible for registration if it supports or opposes, whether directly or indirectly, a political party or candidate for public office.

However, your organization may further its charitable purposes by carrying out public policy dialogue and development activities (PPDDA).

Your organization is not eligible for registration if:

• it engages in illegal activities, such as fraud or money laundering
• its activities are contrary to Canadian public policy, which is typically reflected in federal legislation or regulations enacted by Parliament
• it makes its resources available—directly or indirectly—to support terrorist activities or groups

A registered charity must be established for the benefit of the community or a sufficient segment of it.

This means your organization is not eligible for registration if it:

• is established for the benefit of a particular individual or narrow group
• provides benefits to one or more individuals, such as its members, beyond what is incidental (that is, reasonable and necessary) to accomplish its charitable purpose

A registered charity is only allowed to carry out a related business, which is a business that is either:

• substantially run by volunteers
• linked and subordinate to your organization’s charitable purposes

Private foundations cannot carry out any business activities.