STARTING A NEW NON-PROFIT

Key Website Resources for Starting a Non-Profit

Step 1: The first step is to incorporate: You can register either in Alberta or federally. In Alberta, you can register as a society or as a non-profit company.

Registering a Society in Alberta

http://www.servicealberta.ca/716.cfm  

This website includes information about what a Society is as well as registration information. Forms and fees are under Quick Links.

How to Register as a Non-Profit Company

http://www.servicealberta.ca/714.cfm

Most non-profits are registered under the Societies Act rather than the Companies Act. Organizations who register as a non-profit company usually have business reasons for doing so, usually operating a “business”.

How to register as a federal corporation:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/cilp-pdci.nsf/en/h_cl00022e.html

If your operations are going to occur throughout Canada, it might be easier to register as a federal corporation.

Step 2: Many non-profits, with charitable objectives, also register as a federal Canadian Charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) so that they can issue income tax receipts.

How to Become a Federal Charity

CentrePoint is pleased to offer a website to walk you through the complete process to become a federally registered charity.   This resource is designed to help people and organizations connect with the information and resources they need to start a charity. Available on the site are requirements checklists, Ask an Expert, and more helpful tools.

Visit the "Starting a Canadian Charity" portal

• Raising More than $25,000 per Year in Alberta?
  If your organization raises over $25,000 from donations from Albertan citizens, you must register as an Alberta charity also. Note that this is different from the Canada Revenue Agency charitable registration.

• Resources for Alberta Non-Profit Organizations
  Alberta Community Development provides books and newsletters of interest.

For more information on the above, contact CentrePoint at 403-517-8600.