News release

The Minister of National Revenue launches the call for proposals for the charitable sector

Ottawa, Ontario, February 18, 2009 . . . The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue, is inviting charities and not-for-profit organizations that serve the charitable sector to submit project proposals for funding consideration under the Charities Partnership and Outreach Program.

"Charities offer valuable services in our communities, and we want to support them," said Minister Blackburn. "By providing contribution funding under the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Charities Partnership and Outreach Program, we are demonstrating our commitment to helping charities understand their obligations under the law. This will enable charities to be more effective in serving the community on the one hand and allow Canadians to continue to donate with confidence on the other hand.”

To this effect, in the course of fiscal year 2009-2010, $3 million in contribution funding will be available, aimed at supporting sector education and training projects related to compliance. Under the program, selected projects can qualify for funding of up to $500,000 per year. For 2009‑2010 (April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010), only one-year projects will be considered for funding. The CRA, in consultation with members of the voluntary sector and other government departments, will recommend for funding suitable projects related to one or more of the following priorities:

• requirements and obligations of charitable registration;
• gifts to non-qualified donees;
• safeguards against terrorism; and
• small and rural charities.

Keep in mind that the Charities Partnership and Outreach Program is a contribution funding program designed to support compliance‑related education and training projects for charities. It offers funding to registered charities and non‑profit organizations serving the charitable sector in Canada to support projects designed to:

• raise awareness among the charitable sector of regulatory obligations under the Income Tax Act;
• increase the capacity of the charitable sector in meeting regulatory requirements in a sustainable fashion; and
• improve the capacity of the charitable sector to develop and deliver sustainable compliance‑based education and training solutions.

The deadline for applications is March 27, 2009.

For more information about this call for proposals, including the application process and funding priorities, or to find out more about previously funded projects, go to the CRA's Charities and Giving Web page at www.cra.gc.ca/charities, or call 1-866-816-7604.

This document is also available for download in PDF format.

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