But I thought we weren’t allowed to do advocacy… Part 1

Responding to common objections from Canada’s charitable sector

This week and next week's newsletter provides a highlight of one of our sessions at our January Get Set for GR Success workshop and addresses a persistent myth in Canada's nonprofit sector....stay tuned for the next iteration of this training coming in April!

Common objections to engaging in advocacy include concerns about it attracting censure from the CRA. For many non-profits, lobbying is seen as a self-interested activity that contradicts organization’s purpose.

The Advocacy Chill and Canadian Charities

Common objections to engaging in advocacy include concerns about it attracting censure from the CRA. For many non-profits, lobbying is seen as a self-interested activity that contradicts organization’s purpose.

• According to the CRA, charities must be established for charitable purposes, which includes relief of poverty, advancement of education or religion, and certain other purposes that are considered beneficial to the community.

• In terms of advocacy, charities are permitted to engage in non-partisan public policy dialogue and development activities, so long as they are closely tied to the charity's charitable purposes and do not include direct or indirect support of, or opposition to, a political party or candidate.

• Charities are prohibited from carrying on political activities, which are defined as activities that are partisan or that support or oppose a political party or candidate.