Other sources of assistance and support

There are many organizations and community resources that offer assistance to charities. Charities can use the following list to research some of the resources and support available to them and to make it easier to network and share information.

Umbrella organizations

These are independent, non-government organizations that provide services to other non-profit organizations and charities. Some umbrella groups are registered charities. Their services are often directed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of member organizations. Some of the umbrella organizations in Canada are:

Association des fondations d'établissement de santé du Québec  (French only)

Canadian Council of Christian Charities

Community Foundations of Canada

Fédération des centres d'action bénévole du Québec  (French only)

Food Banks Canada

Health Charities Coalition of Canada

Imagine Canada

Philanthropic Foundations Canada

Quebec Council of Christian Charities

Volunteer Canada

Professional services

Many professionals (lawyers, accountants, fundraisers, etc.) specialize in providing services to charities and non-profit organizations. Some provide newsletters and other useful information on their Web sites and some provide pro bono services as well. A few of these professionals are:

Association for Healthcare Philanthropy Canada

Association of Fundraising Professionals

Canadian Association of Gift Planners

Certified General Accountants Association of Canada

Chartered Accountants of Canada

Pro Bono Law Alberta

Pro Bono Law Ontario

Pro Bono Students Canada

The Canadian Bar Association

Organizations providing education and training

The following organizations have received grants from the CRA under the Charities Partnership and Outreach Program. The program provides funds to develop and deliver education and training to registered charities.

Canadian Association of the Deaf

Canadian Council for International Co-operation

Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development

Community Futures South Fraser

Community Services Council Newfoundland and Labrador

Institute for Non-Profit Studies – Mont Royal University

Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia

Legal Resource Centre of Alberta

Ontario Community Support Association

Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick

The Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks

Web resources

Many Web sites contain information and tools for registered charities, the non-profit sector, the voluntary sector, and philanthropy. A few examples are:

www.charitycentral.ca

www.hrcouncil.ca

www.voluntarygateway.ca

General information about local sources of assistance and support

There are many sources of information, assistance and support available to charities in their own communities. The following suggestions may be worth exploring:

• Libraries

Most communities have a volunteer network, or similar type of entity, that link volunteers to organizations needing assistance. Your local library is a good place to start researching community services and programs.

• Hospitals

Many hospitals have volunteer programs and associations. Registered charities involved in health-related activities can contact their local hospital volunteer groups for information.

• Schools and student volunteers

Some secondary schools may have volunteer programs that link students to organizations requiring assistance. In some jurisdictions secondary school students must perform a certain amount of volunteer work within their community to meet graduation requirements.

• Community colleges

Many community colleges offer programs in non-profit and volunteer management.

• Municipal and regional governments

Municipal and regional governments may have various committees (arts, culture, health, social services) or similar departments that offer advice or funding.

Links to Web sites not under the control of the Government of Canada (GoC) are provided solely for the convenience of users. The GoC is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or the reliability of the content. The GoC does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through these links, nor does it endorse the sites and their content. Users should be aware that information offered by non-GoC sites that are not subject to the Official Languages Act and to which the CRA links, may be available only in the language(s) used by the sites in question.