Frequently Asked Questions
Does a non-profit organization need to be incorporated?
No, but it might be beneficial. Similarly to incorporating a business, by incorporating your nonprofit organization, you create a separate legal entity that has many of the same rights and obligations
and a person, including buying and owning land, enter into contracts, and sue and be sued
How much does it cost to incorporate a non-profit organization?
In Alberta, there is a $75 incorporation fee for non-profit organizations and a $50 incorporation fee for societies.
What is the difference between a charity and a non-profit organization?
A registered charity is a charitable organization that operates exclusively for charitable purposes and is registered under the Income Tax Act. A registered charity has specific tax benefits
and requirements compared to a non-profit organization, for example, income tax exemption.
A non-profit organization can have a purpose other than charity, such as sport, civic improvement, and different social causes.
Can a non-profit organization be a registered charity?
An organization is either defined as a non-profit or charity. A registered charity is a technical description of an organization that is operated for charitable purposes only. If an organization
is operating as a charity, it can’t be defined as a non-profit and vice versa.