Engaging in allowable activities

A registered charity must be created for charitable purposes and must devote its resources (funds, personnel, and property) to charitable activities. A registered charity is permitted to carry out its charitable purposes, both inside and outside Canada, in only two ways: by carrying on its own charitable activities, and by gifting to qualified donees.

Checklist

Is the charity aware of the following requirements:

• Contact the Charities Directorate if the charity plans to engage in new activities that were not identified in its application for registration, to ensure they qualify as charitable.
• Limit using the charity's resources for social activities and fundraising activities as they generally are not considered charitable.
• If working through intermediaries such as an agent, a contractor, or any other non-qualified donee, the charity must be able to demonstrate that it retains direction and control over the use of it resources. (For example, the charity could enter into a formal written agreement with the intermediary body.)
• Do not engage in any activities that may directly or indirectly support or facilitate an act of terrorism.
• Do not engage in any prohibited political activities, such as supporting or opposing a political party or candidate for public office.
• Gift only to qualified donees (for example, other registered charities).
• Engage in only related business activities that accomplish or promote the charity's purposes, if the charity is designated as a charitable organization or a public foundation.
• Do not engage in any business activities if the charity is designated as a private foundation.

Related topics

• What is charitable?

References

• CSP-B02, Business - Sanctions - Revocation
• CPS - 022, Political Activities
• CPS - 019, What is a Related Business?
• Canadian Registered Charities Carrying Out Activities Outside Canada

This checklist is for the charity's use only. Do not mail to the CRA or file with the return.