The Charity Start-Up Toolbox is an online, self-help service designed for non-profits and charities that are seeking nonprofit incorporation, charitable status registration, or both.

The Toolbox provides information and resources to help an organization complete the necessary application documents required for incorporation or charity registration. Once an organization has conducted thorough tax status research and prepared the required paperwork, it may apply to VLS for a document review session with a pro bono lawyer.

The Charity Start-Up Toolbox was developed in response to the overwhelming demand for pro bono legal assistance on incorporations and charitable status registrations. Over the past few years, VLS has struggled to meet that demand, so this Toolbox enables organizations to undertake the majority of the work involved on its own. After these preparations, it will be easier and less expensive to have a lawyer review the documentation just prior to filing.

At the heart of the Toolbox is an online interview that will take you step-by-step through the application process to gather the information needed specific to your organization's application type. At the end of the online interview, all of the application forms will be automatically completed and ready to save and print.

In order to successfully complete this process, your organization must have a single, dedicated individual that can go through the entire Toolbox program from start to finish. This person should ideally be either the Executive Director or a board member.

When you are ready to begin, follow the steps below. Remember to carefully read all instructions. Errors or items missed in the applications may result in a rejected application by the government agency involved.

The Charity Start-Up Toolbox

STEP 1: Determine Your Organization's Tax Status

Before undertaking to develop application forms for your organization, you need to understand the different types of tax status and determine which format is correct for your organization. The forms, application process, and pros and cons, vary for each of these. You should speak with a lawyer, an accountant, or thoroughly research this topic and review the final tax status choice with your board of directors. Visit this resource page for more information on this topic.

STEP 2: Gather Information

There are 4 different types of possible non-profit incorporation. You need to also determine whether now or in the future, you also want to apply for charitable status. Once you have made this determination, click on the link below for your chosen type of incorporation. If your organization is only applying for charitable status registration, click on Tax Status #5. These links will take you to resources and workbooks that you should print out and complete fully before starting STEP 3.

Tax Status #1: Provincial Non-Profit Incorporation--Non-Charitable
Tax Status #2: Provincial Non-Profit Incorporation--Charitable
Tax Status #3: Federal Non-Profit Incorporation--Non-Charitable
Tax Status #4: Federal Non-Profit Incorporation--Charitable
Tax Status #5: Federal Charitable Status Registration ONLY

STEP 3: Complete the Online Toolbox Interview

Once you have completed the workbook(s) for incorporation and/or charity status, go to the Online Interview to prepare your forms.

CLICK HERE to launch the Charity Start-Up Toolbox Interview. This interview takes approximately one hour to complete.

STEP 4: Compile Application Forms and Meet With a Lawyer For Document Review

It is recommended that you have your documents reviewed by a lawyer or tax accountant that specializes in incorporations and charities. Because you have now completed a large portion of the work involved, this meeting should not be an expensive one. You may also submit an application to VLS for a pro bono lawyer by visiting the Get Help page.

STEP 5: File Your Documents

Follow the detailed instructions provided in the final printout of your application documents for information on how to file your forms and filing fees.