Non-profit corporations may be formed in any Province of Canada or with Corporations Canada. Charities are non-profit corporations with charitable objects that have been approved by CRA.
If your non-profit is based in Ontario, it may be easier to clear and register a name in Ontario. Before deciding on a name, we recommend that you pick a short name that has a matching domain name available.
Search for a .com and .org domain names at Uniregistry (a new secure window will open):
Here are some example model charitable objects:
Charitable Objects re Poverty
- To relieve poverty by operating a soup kitchen for [specify eligible beneficiaries, for example, individuals or families who are poor, of low income, or in need].
- To relieve poverty by providing residential accommodation below market rate, support, and incidental facilities to [specify eligible beneficiaries, for example, individuals or families who are poor, of low income, or in need].
- To relieve poverty by providing basic necessities of life, including food, clean water, clothing, and/or shelter to [specify eligible beneficiaries, for example, individuals or families who are poor, of low income, or in need].
Charitable Objects re Advancing Education
- To advance education by establishing and operating a public [primary, secondary, or post-secondary] school for [specify eligible beneficiaries] [if required, specify topic(s)].
- To advance education by providing books, equipment, and educational aids to students attending [specify name of school].
- To advance education by providing classes on the subjects of childbirth education, preparation for parenting, and nutrition to [specify].
- To advance education by providing leadership training programs to [specify eligible beneficiary group].
- To advance education by providing publicly available scholarships, bursaries, and other forms of financial assistance to [specify eligible beneficiaries] to be used for [specify, elementary, secondary, or post‑secondary] education.
- To advance education by providing awards to [specify eligible beneficiaries] to encourage academic excellence.
Canada Non-Profit Corporations