How do I apply and qualify as a non-profit organization?

Application process for charitable organization?

• We have been registered as a non-profit organization a few years ago in Canada. And we now realize that we may actually qualify as charitable oganization based on what we have been doing. 1) Wondering whether we need to apply with both Industry Canada and Revenue Canada for that purpose? 2) How long the government process usually takes? 3) What are the main documents or information we shall prepare? 4) Any other advices / lessons to help the application process?

• Answer:

  You need to reapply to the Revenue Canada for a Tax Exempt Number. Their website should describe what qualifies an a Tax Exempt nonprofit, what paperwork you need to submit and forms should be available for downloading. In the USA it is so complicated and expensive to apply for Tax Exemption that Nonprofits hire a lawyer.