News release

Government delivers innovative $2 million program for charities and non-profit organizations

Ottawa, Ontario, October 31, 2006 – The Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue, announced today that registered charities and non-profit organizations can begin applying for funding through the Charities Partnership and Outreach Program. Successful applicants will deliver education and training on Canada's Income Tax Act to registered charities.

“Canada's New Government supports this innovative program which ensures Canada's charities are thoroughly educated on the legislative and regulatory obligations of the Income Tax Act,” said Minister Skelton. “It is important that Canadians are confident that charities are following the rules, and their donations are used for the intended charitable purposes.”

In 2007-2008, up to $2 million in funds may be available for the program. Specifically, organizations will be able to receive funding of up to $500,000 per year, to a maximum of three years per multi-year project. The two funding priorities for this year are:

(1) Conducting foreign activities in a manner that is compliant with a charity's obligations under the Income Tax Act, and

(2) Raising funds, issuing receipts, and maintaining books and records in a manner that is compliant with a charity's obligations under the Income Tax Act.

Any registered charity or non-profit organization serving the charitable sector in Canada can apply. A funding guide that contains the eligibility criteria for funding, information about the application process, an application form, a glossary of terms, and an application checklist has been prepared for organizations interested in applying for funding under this program. Applications will be accepted through December 22, 2006. More details are available on the Canada Revenue Agency Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/charities.

Canadians claim some $7.3 billion in donations to registered charities annually, resulting in about $2 billion in forgone revenue for the federal government.

The federal government is working with its partners in the provinces and territories and with the voluntary sector to improve the regulation of the charitable sector for the benefit of all Canadians.

This document is also available for download in .pdf format.

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