An Official Intermediary for the Province of Ontario

Menu

Federal Registered Charity Formation

Why should I choose Incorporate Ontario?

🔍 Trusted & Experienced
We pride ourselves on our thorough and compliant review process, ensuring your business formation is precise and error-free.

🌟 Empowering Entrepreneurship
By opting for our company, you’re not just choosing a service—you’re embracing a hybrid approach that combines the best of both worlds. Enjoy the flexibility and control of a ‘do it yourself’ strategy, while also benefiting from the expertise and peace of mind that comes with professional assistance. It’s the perfect balance for the modern entrepreneur—affordable, comprehensive, and human-centered.

👥 Personalized Attention
Every client at Incorporate Ontario receives personalized attention. Our specialists treat your business with utmost care and professionalism, available to provide support via phone, live chat, or email. At the end of the day, your success is our business.

⚡ Super Express Service
Experience our super express incorporation services designed for fast processing. Our specialists work diligently to complete your filing within 2 business hours of order placement, delivering your incorporation documents in record time.

💲 Affordable Pricing
Understanding the financial challenges of new entrepreneurs, Incorporate Ontario offers an affordable pricing structure. We believe that cost should not be a barrier to your business aspirations, providing a cost-effective solution for your incorporation needs.

What is a Registered Charity?

A registered charity is a specific type of non-profit organization that operates on a non-profit basis and has been registered under the Income Tax Act. They must use their resources for charitable activities and have charitable purposes that fall into one or more of the following categories:

The relief of poverty
The advancement of education
The advancement of religion
Other purposes that benefit the community

Examples of registered charities include food banks, colleges, places of worship, and animal shelters. All registered charities, regardless of their designation, can issue official donation receipts for income tax purposes.

It’s important to note that while all registered charities are non-profit organizations, not all non-profit organizations are registered charities.

What are the benefits of a Registered Charity?

Issuing Official Donation Receipts: Registered charities can issue official donation receipts for gifts received from individuals and corporations. This can encourage more donations as donors can use these receipts for tax deductions.
Exemption from Income Tax: Registered charities are exempt from paying income tax. This allows them to use more of their resources towards their charitable purposes.
Eligibility to Receive Gifts: Registered charities are eligible to receive gifts from other registered charities. This can provide additional resources to further their charitable activities.
Increased Credibility: Being a registered charity can increase an organization’s credibility in the community. This can enhance its reputation and attract more support from the public.
GST/HST Exemption: Many goods and services provided by registered charities are exempt from goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST)1. This can reduce the cost of providing these goods and services.
Easier to Obtain Grants: Some funders only give grants to registered charities. This can open up additional funding opportunities.

Why should I incorporate my Non-Profit federally?

Name Protection: The chosen name of your non-profit is safeguarded under federal law, preventing other entities from using it across Canada. This ensures strong brand protection and aids in avoiding legal disputes.
Limited Personal Liability: A federally incorporated non-profit is a separate legal entity from its members. This shields directors and members from personal liability for the non-profit’s debts and obligations.
Perpetual Existence: A federal non-profit can operate indefinitely, irrespective of changes in membership or leadership. This facilitates long-term planning and stability.
Attracting Funding: Federal non-profits may be more appealing to donors and grant-making organizations due to their limited liability and the ease of transferring memberships.
Tax Advantages: Federal non-profits can enjoy a variety of tax advantages, including tax-exempt status and specific deductions, particularly beneficial for charitable organizations.
Access to Funding: Federal non-profits can access funding through various means, including grants, donations, and fundraising activities.
Enhanced Credibility: Federal incorporation can boost credibility with partners, donors, and the public, signifying a professional and established organization.
Separate Credit Rating: Federal non-profits establish their own credit rating, separate from the personal credit scores of its members. This can facilitate obtaining organizational credit and securing loans.
Member Benefits: Federal Non-Profits can offer benefits to members, which can be attractive to potential members.
National Recognition: Federal incorporation provides recognition and legitimacy across Canada, allowing for expansion and growth in different provinces and territories.

What are the unique benefits of incorporating federally?

Heightened Name Protection: Corporations Canada applies very tough tests before granting a company the right to use a particular name. When a company’s name is approved, it’s protected across the country – a status second only to trade-mark protection.
Right to Carry on Business Anywhere in Canada: Federally incorporated companies can carry on business anywhere in Canada, and there are no restrictions regarding the province or territory where the head office is located, corporate records are maintained and annual general meetings are held.
Recognition: Federal incorporation is often considered a sign of distinction, companies incorporated federally receive global recognition as Canadian companies.

How quickly can my Non-Profit be incorporated?

Your Non-Profit can be incorporated in just 3 BUSINESS DAYS! Please note, this timeframe does not account for the extra time that may be required to tailor the articles of incorporation to your specific purposes and activities.

What is required to incorporate my Federal company?

Choose a Business Name: Your business name must be unique and distinguishable from other registered business names across Canada. You have the option to choose your own name or have the government assign you a numbered name. If you are registering a named corporation, you will need a NUANS report (Purchasable through our incorporation packages). Be aware that depending on your incorporation type, you might need to use certain names that follow rules set by the relevant authorities. If we find any issues with the proposed name we will guide you and suggest possible names that would be viable for the incorporation.
Incorporators, Directors, Officers, and Shareholders: In the process of incorporation, you must determine the directors, officers and their respective roles, and the shareholders of the corporation. At least one person is required to serve as an incorporator, director, and shareholder, and it’s possible for a single individual to occupy all three positions. Officers are viewed as employees within the corporation. Keep in mind Not-For-Profits and Co-Ops require a minimum of 3 directors to operate.
Registered Office Address: Every business is required to have a registered office address, which could be either a commercial or a residential location anywhere in Canada. If you do not have an accessible address in Canada, our Address & Mail Forwarding Service is available for purchase (Only available for registration purposes).

Are there any residency requirements to incorporate federally?

Yes, a minimum of 25% of the directors of the Non-Profit must possess either Citizenship or Permanent Resident (PR) Status.

What are Extra-Provincial Registrations?

Extra-provincial registration is the procedure where a corporation, whether incorporated federally, provincially, or territorially, requests authorization to undertake business operations in a different jurisdiction (province or territory). This registration enables the corporation to operate legally and fulfill its obligations in the additional jurisdiction.

Extra-provincial registration is necessary for several reasons:

Legal Compliance: Each province or territory has its own laws and regulations governing business activities. By undergoing extra-provincial registration, corporations ensure compliance with the specific requirements of the jurisdiction where they plan to operate.
Protection of Rights: Extra-provincial registration allows corporations to protect their legal rights and access the benefits and protections offered by the laws of the additional jurisdiction. It provides a legal framework for the corporation to conduct business activities, enter into contracts, and enforce its rights.
Transparency and Accountability: Extra-provincial registration promotes transparency and accountability by making information about the corporation’s operations and activities available to the regulatory authorities and the public in the additional jurisdiction.

If you are planning to operate in other provinces or territories, you will also need to register as an extra-provincial or extra-territorial corporation in those jurisdictions. This process carries legal implications and requires compliance with the laws and regulations of both the original jurisdiction of incorporation and the additional jurisdiction. These implications may include filing requirements, maintaining a registered office address, and appointing a registered agent within the additional jurisdiction. Our Address Service and Agent Service, enables our clients to register their corporations in provinces and territories where they currently have no presence. These services are included in our incorporation packages.

Will I receive any post-incorporation support?

Yes, we offer 3 types of post-incorporation and maintenance services.

Start Your Ontario Business Journey Now!

Products Related Blog

Explore Our Product Insights Blog. Get insights on features, benefits, and applications. From guides to expert tips, it’s your key to informed decisions and maximizing product value.

How to Incorporate a Federal Corporation in Canada

How to incorporate a Federal Corporation in Canada Incorporation in Canada is an important step:

Federal vs Provincial Incorporation

In Canada, businesses have the option to incorporate either at the federal or provincial level,

Federal Registered Charity

A federal registered charity in Canada is a non-profit organization that has been granted charitable

Federal Non-Profit

A Federal Non-Profit in Canada is an organization incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act

Federal Holding Company

A Federal Holding Company in Canada is a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations

Federal Corporation

A company registered or incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act is called Federal Corporation. This

Federal Co-Op with Share Capital

A federal co-op with share capital in Canada is a cooperative that operates under the

Extra Provincial Registration

An Extra-Provincial Registration for a Canadian corporation refers to the process of registering a corporation

❌Interpretations of Articles	❌Adding Officers & Members	❌Execution: Signature Requirements
❌Membership Termination Clause	❌Director & Officer Nomination Clause	❌Financial Statement Transparency Clause
❌Borrowing Powers	❌Membership Classes	❌Membership Transfer Rules

✔Definitions and Interpretations	✔Members & Officers Information	✔Execution: signed by any two officers or directors
✔Membership termination: basic structure	✔Nominating directors: supports by 5% members	✔Financial statements: send to all members
✔Borrowing: members’ approval not required	✔Membership class: one class	✔Membership transfer: to corporation

✔Definitions and Interpretations	✔Members & Officers Information	✔Execution: own writing
✔Membership termination: complex structure	✔Nominating directors: own criteria	✔Financial statements: send or not to all members
✔Borrowing: members’ approval required/not required	✔Membership class: one/two class	✔Membership transfer: not eligible/to corporation/to public

An Official Intermediary for the Province of Ontario

Ontario Corporation

Federal Corporation

Ontario Professional Corporation

Ontario Prec

Ontario Holding Company

Extra Provincial Company

Make an Offshore

Buy a Shelf Corporation

Get a Help

Working Hours

Follow us

Ontario Non-Profit

Federal Non-Profit

Ontario Registered Charity