Overview
Non-profit and charitable organizations play a vital role in Canadian society, but they operate within a complex and highly regulated environment. Our Non-Profit & Charities Group helps organizations navigate these demands with practical, thoughtful advice so they can stay focused on their mission while meeting their legal and governance obligations.
We act as trusted advisors and often as external general counsel to a wide range of organizations, including private and public educational institutions, healthcare and research bodies, social service agencies, environmental and religious organizations, professional associations, social clubs, cultural and sports clubs and organizations, and philanthropic foundations. As part of a full-service firm, we bring the right expertise to deliver solutions tailored to each organization’s structure, goals, and regulatory landscape.
We support clients at every stage of their lifecycle, from formation and governance to growth and transformation. Our focus is on providing advice that is both practical and effective, and helping organizations operate confidently, adapt to change, and deliver meaningful impact.
Expertise
Incorporation, governance structure, and jurisdiction selection. Design and creation of complex organizational structures including charitable, non-profit, and for-profit entities.
Board and member governance, by-laws, corporate records, regulatory filings, and organizational maintenance. Strategic board advice in dispute matters, chairing contested board or member meetings, acting as independent chair of meetings, and acting as parliamentarian.
Charitable registration, changes to charitable purposes, CRA audits and disputes, receipting, tax exemptions, and ongoing charitable compliance. Tax and regulatory compliance for non-profits and other tax-exempt entities.
Mergers, restructurings, continuances, and dissolutions.
Program development, social enterprises, joint ventures, and public-private partnerships. Relationship agreements between operational charity and its foundation. Federal and provincial funding agreements.
Endowment funds, gift agreements, donor agreements, sponsorships, and innovative fundraising strategies.
Legislative compliance, lobbying, and engagement with government bodies and regulators. Assistance with obtaining private acts and amendments to private and special acts.
HR, employment agreements, commercial agreements, leasing, procurement, and day-to-day business operations.
Resolving internal and external disputes, including mediation and litigation when required.
Protection, commercialization, and management of intellectual assets, as well as privacy and cybersecurity.
Get in touch
To learn more about how our Non-Profit and Charities team can support your business, get in touch with one of our team leaders.