Farm Sanctuaries should not be profit-driven enterprises. In Canada you can incorporate as a non-profit (not-for-profit) which is when you create your bylaws, board of directors etc.
If you want to offer your donors a tax receipt, you will need to go through the process of becoming a registered charity in Canada after incorporating as a non-profit.
Please note that if you are buying property and it will be for the farm sanctuary, under the farm sanctuary’s name, you will need to incorporate the farm sanctuary as a non-profit first. This is so that the farm sanctuary is a legal separate entity which can own assets like land. If the property will not be owned by the farm sanctuary directly, but by the founder(s), we highly recommend you look at creating and signing a long term lease agreement. (Roadmap >> The Sanctuary >> Essential >> Lease contingency plan.)
We also recommend you start your process of becoming a charity right after incorporating as a non-profit, as it can take up to a year to process, depending on how fast you complete and submit the paperwork. We also highly recommend getting help from a lawyer, if you have no prior legal experience. Please see the below resource from P.E.A.C.E. called “How To Become A Charity!”
Please note, with your GFAS certification, there is no time limit to complete it, but you will need your Canadian charity status confirmed as part of the certification.
TO READ OR WATCH LIST
The Open Sanctuary Project | Animal Sanctuaries Should Not Be Motivated By Profit
P.E.A.C.E. Farm Sanctuary Resource | How To Become A Registered Charity!
The Open Sanctuary Project | Board Resources For Animal Sanctuaries and Respect in the Workplace At Your Animal Sanctuary
DISCLAIMER | P.E.A.C.E. has provided this roadmap as a service to the public and farm sanctuaries. Some of the information in this website has been provided by external sources. P.E.A.C.E. is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of the information provided by external sources. Users should please consult directly with the external source of the information.