Set up your organization before applying for registration

What you need to know before applying for charitable registration and what you need to consider before establishing yourself as a legal entity.

• What is charitable?

Purposes and activities that are considered charitable.

• Charitable purposes

Description of the four categories of charity and examples of purposes for each 

• What is a governing document?

A document that gives an organization its legal existence – learn what you have or need 

• Types of registered charities (designations)

Based on your application, the CRA will designate you as a specific type of charity 

• Head bodies and internal divisions

Requirements for registering an organization as a head body or internal division