Change of charitable purposes or name with CRA approval
Amending a charity's purposes or name and getting the CRA's approval before the change takes effect.
What is included
- Reviews your governing documents, CRA registration and current activities
- Explains the rules under federal tax law and Ontario or federal corporate law
- Drafts or reviews applications, resolutions and policies
- Communicates with CRA or other regulators where needed
- Advises the board on next steps and records to keep
What is not included
- Government filing fees and other disbursements
- Bookkeeping, audit or accounting services
- Court applications or appeals not covered by the lawyer's written retainer
- Advice on foreign law for activities outside Canada
Who this service is for
- Registered charities and their boards
- Not-for-profit corporations, clubs and associations
- Founders planning a new charity or foundation
- Places of worship and community groups
Information to have ready
- 1Letters patent or articles, and by-laws
- 2CRA registration letter and recent T3010 returns, if registered
- 3Board minutes and current policies
- 4A description of your programs and activities
How a referral works
- 1Tell us in a few words what the matter is about, and who else is involved, so we can check for a conflict of interest.
- 2We recommend an Ontario lawyer for your matter, and at least one other you could choose instead.
- 3The lawyer runs their own conflict check, confirms the scope and quotes the fee, normally in a written retainer agreement.
- 4You pay the lawyer's fee to the lawyer. Any referral fee comes out of it, is disclosed to you in writing, and never increases what you pay.
NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm, not a law firm. Every step of a referral, and your rights
Frequently asked questions
What does the lawyer charge?
A typical Ontario fee for this service is $1,500–$5,000, plus HST. The lawyer quotes the actual fee before any work starts. You pay the lawyer directly; the referral itself costs you nothing.
Is a not-for-profit the same as a registered charity?
No. A not-for-profit is a type of organization, while a registered charity has been registered by CRA and can issue official donation receipts. Charities face stricter rules on purposes and activities.
Which laws govern a charity or not-for-profit?
It depends on how you were set up. Ontario corporations fall under the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010, federal ones under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and charity registration under the Income Tax Act.
Can a charity change its purposes or name?
Often yes, but the corporate documents must be amended properly, and a registered charity usually needs to tell CRA and may need its approval before acting on new purposes.
General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
Important limitations
- No outcome can be guaranteed, including CRA registration or approval
- CRA and government processing times are outside the lawyer's control
- The board remains responsible for the organization's decisions and filings
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