CANADIAN NATIONAL
BAPTIST CONVENTION
Charitable
Status
Resource
Charitable Status Resource
CNBC has created a guideline document for churches and church plants pursuing charitable status in Canada (becoming a registered charity). The guidelines in the resource provide general information, best-practice recommendations and step-by-step instructions for the process. CNBC does its best to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. The guidelines should not be interpreted as legal advice but treated as a reference.
What is a registered charity?
A registered charity refers to an organization, like a church, that has charitable status with the Canada Revenue Agency. It must be established and resident in Canada, operate for charitable purposes (Advancement of Religion) and devote its resources (funds, personnel, and property) to charitable activities.
Know The Process
When a church is ready and able to carry out its mission independently of a sending church or regional hub, the church can apply for charitable status. Note that churches will need to have certain admin, bookkeeping and, if applicable, payroll knowledge in place. Set your church up for charitable status by following five steps (each explained in detail in the Pursuing Charitable Status Resource):
Step 1. Create a Constitution and Bylaws
Step 2. Define the Church’s Purposes
Step 3. Describe the Church’s Activities in Detail
Step 4. Apply to Register for Charitable Status
Step 5. Answer any Clarifying Questions from CRA
Constitution and Bylaws
Template
A helpful place to start drafting a Constitution and Bylaws is the template in this link.
Regional Examples
Because individual provinces determine some of the rules charities need to follow, CNBC has asked churches from several CNBC Regions that have recently submitted their Constitution and Bylaws, to share examples to be used as starting points for drafting Constitutions and Bylaws. Other regions have organizations in place that would be helpful to contact.