Charitable activities outside Canada

Before it applies for registration, an organization that conducts, or plans to conduct, activities outside Canada must understand how registered charities should carry out these activities in order to comply with the Income Tax Act.

How can a registered charity use its resources outside Canada?

A registered charity may only use its resources (funds, personnel, and property) inside or outside Canada in two ways:

• It can carry out its own charitable activities. These activities are usually carried out by persons under the registered charity's immediate control (for example - members, employees, or volunteers), or by its intermediaries (for example - agents or contractors).
• It can make gifts to qualified donees (usually other registered charities). Individuals and most organizations outside Canada, such as foreign charities and international aid agencies, are not qualified donees.

Whether a registered charity carries out its own foreign activities through persons under its immediate control, or through intermediaries, it should put the following measures in place:

• provide to persons under its immediate control or its intermediaries clear and detailed directions concerning the activity, and how it is to be carried out;
• receive reports from those persons or organizations that describe their activities and use of resources; and
• monitor and supervise the activity on an ongoing basis.

A registered charity must maintain sufficient books and records in Canada to allow the CRA to determine if the charity is operating in compliance with the Income Tax Act. The books and records must show that the charity's funds are only being spent on its own activities or on gifts to qualified donees.

How can a registered charity conduct its activities through intermediaries?

A charity typically uses an intermediary when it is unable to carry out its own activities through its staff. Before deciding to work with an intermediary, a charity should be confident that the intermediary has the capacity (for example - personnel, experience, and equipment) to carry out the charity's activity and it will use the charity's resources as directed by the charity.

When working through an intermediary, a charity must direct and control the use of its resources. A charity that does not do this risks sanctions under the Income Tax Act, including the revocation of registered status.

To direct and control its resources when working through an intermediary, a charity should follow the measures listed above, as well as:

• create a written agreement, and implement its terms and provisions;
• for agency relationships, segregate funds as well as books and records; and
• make periodic transfers of resources, based on demonstrated performance.

What information should be provided with an application for registration as a charity?

An organization that conducts, or plans to conduct, activities outside Canada must explain in its application what these activities are, and how they will be carried out. Each of the organization's activities/programs (both current and proposed) must be described in detail. See Describing your activities for instructions on how to provide specific, detailed information.

Furthermore, an organization that operates through an intermediary according to a written agreement must provide details about and/or a copy of the agreement with its application for registration. The agreement must clearly show that the charity will maintain direction and control over, and be fully accountable for, the use of its resources.

For detailed information on charitable activities outside Canada, see Canadian Registered Charities Carrying Out Activities Outside Canada.

References

• Charities in the International Context