Articles & Cases

Presentations and Workshops by Blumbergs in the Canadian Non-Profit and Charity Area

December 07, 2007

Here are some presentations and workshops that Blumbergs provides that relate to charities and non-profits:


1) Canadian Charities and Foreign Activities

Canadian charities are increasingly conducting operations outside of Canada. In this session we will discuss the legal requirements and restrictions for Canadian charities operating abroad including opportunities in Global Philanthropy; common mistakes; different models for operating outside Canada; corporate restrictions; agreements and controls; fundraising and planned giving concerns; Canada Revenue Agency positions, recent case law in which charities have lost their charitable status for not complying with the rules, new developments and flexibility in Canadian charities operating abroad.


2) Planned Giving in a Global World

This presentation is geared towards major gifts and planned giving officer and discusses planned gifts in support of charitable activities outside of Canada.


3) Estate Planning and Planned Giving in Canada

This presentation discusses estate planning and how different planned giving vehicles can fit into a comprehensive estate plan including the applicability and strengths and weaknesses of different planned giving ideas.


4) Bequests in Canada – Avoiding Legal and Ethical Problems

This presentation discusses common legal and ethical problems facing charities related to bequests including clarity in will drafting, validity of a will, capacity issues, appropriate restrictions, disappearing wills, will kits and holograph wills. As well ethical issues abound in the area of bequests such as: Can a charity act as executor or pay for the will of the donor making a bequest? Can charities recommend professional advisors? What is the line between education and undue influence.

5) Don't Set up a Charity but if you do here is what you need to know

This presentation discusses many reasons why creating a new Canadian charity may not be the best course of action for many interested in charity and philanthropy. It also provides a basic overview of issues in incorporation and organization of a charity, application of charitable status and operational and fundraising issues.


6) Governance: Easy ideas for improving transparency, accountability, effectiveness of boards and risk management

Governance does not have to be scary. Improvements in governance can be incremental and pay off handsomely for charities and non-profits willing to invest a little effort.


7) Risk Management: 20 simple steps to minimizing risk for a Canadian charity or non-profit.

This presentation can be part of a board orientation or continuing education and is particularly helpful in providing a very comprehensible understanding of risk and how to minimize risk.


If your business, non-profit or charity is interested in one of these presentations please contact Mark Blumberg at mark@blumbergs.ca or at 416-361-1982 x. 237.


Mark's bio

Mark Blumberg is a partner at the law firm of Blumberg Segal LLP in Toronto. Mark works primarily in the areas of non-profit and charity law, and estate planning. Mark is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, and the Estate Planning Council of Toronto. Mark is involved with a number of non-profits and charities including holding the position of Honourary Legal Counsel to Water For People – Canada, being a director of the Canada-South Africa Chamber of Business and Canadian Crossroads International. Mark is also a member of Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation Planned Giving Advisory Committee and the SickKids Legacy Advisors Committee. Mark has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Toronto, a Bachelors of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia and a LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School in Tax Law.