Nonprofit & Charitable Groups

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Groups of people often get together and do things for nonprofit purposes. This can cover just about any type of activity from running sports groups, to providing services to seniors, to running a community theater, to operating a church, to holding a rodeo, etc. - the list is endless.

There are huge advantages to incorporating the group as a nonprofit society. The main advantages include:

- Members and directors of the society are generally not liable for debts of the society (except in certain limited cases). If there is no society, each member of the group could be held responsible in the event of trouble.

- Incorporated groups have much easier access to government funding than for unincorporated groups.

- Societies are more easily able to obtain a charitable taxation number from Canada Customs & Revenue Agency to allow you to give people a receipt for income tax purposes.

Most nonprofit or charitable groups are incorporated under the Alberta Societies Act. You just need a minimum of five people and a concept of what the group's purpose is. You also need a name which must include one of the following words: Society, Association, Club, Fellowship, Guild, Institute or Foundation.

Where appropriate, you can also incorporate your group under different statutes, such as the Agricultural Societies Act or the Religious Societies Act.

North & Company can help you write-up your Statement of Purpose (what your group wants to do) and By-laws (the rules by which the organization is operated). We can also get the name searched for you, and submit all of the documents for registration. The cost of getting us to help you do this is normally not very significant and usually saves you a lot of grief. Don't hesitate to contact us for more information and an estimate of costs.