News release

Revenue Minister McCallum announces new funding program for charities

Ottawa, Ontario, May 17, 2005... John McCallum, Minister of National Revenue, today launched the Charities Partnership and Outreach Program, a funding program designed to support compliance-related education and training projects for charities.

Beginning today, up to $3 million in funds will be available to the voluntary sector annually for education and training on charities regulation. More specifically, up to $1 million in years one and two, $2 million in the third year and $3 million per year on an ongoing basis. Organizations will be able to receive contribution funding of up to a maximum of $500,000 per year per project.

Any registered charity or non-profit organization serving the charitable sector in Canada can apply to the Canada Revenue Agency for funding under the Charities Partnership and Outreach Program.

"Canada's charities play a vital role in Canadian society and in advancing our well-being. If we can help the sector educate itself about the regulatory obligations under the Income Tax Act, voluntary sector compliance will increase. This in turn will create an environment where Canadians can donate with greater confidence, knowing that the money they give will be used for the purpose for which it is intended", said Minister McCallum.

The main objectives of the Charities Partnership and Outreach Program are to raise awareness among the charitable sector of its regulatory obligations under the Income Tax Act, to improve the capacity of the voluntary sector to develop and deliver compliance-based education programs, and to increase the capacity of the charitable sector in meeting regulatory compliance requirements.

The federal government is working with its partners in the provinces and territories and 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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