• Standard C13 Explained

    Why must organizations conducting face-to-face fundraising ensure that they: a. provide verification of the affiliation of the person representing the organization – Individuals may be suspicious of face-to-face fundraising efforts such as door-to-door solicitation, worrying that it could be...

  • Standard A3 Explained

    Definition: Most Senior Staff Person 1The person who reports to the board of directors and to whom any other employee of the organization reports either directly or indirectly. Common titles for the most senior staff person include President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director....

  • Standard A19 Explained

    Why is it important that board members of charitable and nonprofit organizations not receive financial compensation for their role as a director? This standard prohibits board members from receiving monetary compensation in return for their service as a director of the board. “In their capacity as...

  • Use of vacation property

    The use of a property is not the same as the transfer of a property. However, if the charity pays for the use of the property and the owner of the property donates that money back to the charity, the charity can issue a tax receipt for the donation (known as a cheque swap).Example 1: Jane and Paul...

  • Standard E4 Explained

    Why is it important for organizations to involve a diverse volunteer base? Community organizations serve diverse communities. A 2012 Statistics Canada study, Giving and Volunteering Among Canada’s Immigrants, reports that almost 1 in 5 Canadians is an immigrant.1 For many new Canadians,...

  • Standard D11 Explained

    Why is it important to assess the development needs of all fulltime employees and to develop plans to address any gaps? Ongoing professional development helps employees improve their performance in their roles and build the skills they need to advance.1 In a job market in which nonprofits compete...

  • Standard C14 Explained

    Definition: Cause-related marketing1 Cause-related marketing (sometimes called social marketing) is a venture with a non-charitable partner to promote the sale of items or services on the basis that a portion of the revenues will be directed to a charity or charities. Why is it important for...

  • Standard A4 Explained

    Why is a written job description important? The board of directors is responsible for monitoring the performance of the organization’s most senior staff person in order to ensure that the organization is functioning effectively. 1 A formal job description lists all the activities and competencies...

  • Standard A20 Explained

    Why is it important to orient new board members? Orientation of new board members is an essential component of creating an effective board of directors.1 In order to govern a nonprofit or charitable organization, board members must be informed of the organization’s goals and activities and must...

  • Lottery or raffle tickets

    CRA considers that donors who buy lottery or raffle tickets do so primarily because they want a chance to win the prizes that are offered and not because they want to make a donation to the charity that is holding the event. Therefore it does not allow tax receipts to be issued.

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