Global Vetting Guide For Canada: Apply Through CanadaHelps

If your organization is registered in Canada as a charity, follow this guide to complete vetting through our partner, CanadaHelps.

Before You Begin

Check Whether Special Case Vetting Applies

If your organization is located outside of the United States and has fewer than five years of financial history, you may need to complete vetting through a Global Intermediary Partner instead. For details, see Global Vetting Guide For Special Cases: Apply Through Global Intermediary Partners.

Tip: If a corporate donor requests vetting for your organization through YourCause, you’ll receive an email from Blackbaud Verified Network at no-reply@yourcause.com with instructions.

Confirm Your Charity Status In Canada

Your organization must be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a charity to receive donations through CanadaHelps and the Blackbaud Verified Network. Nonprofits that are not registered charities are not eligible for Canadian donation programs. Ensure your organization is registered by searching for the charity name or business number (BN) in the CRA Charities Listings.

Tip: Register with CanadaHelps after the CRA approves charitable status. CanadaHelps vets registered charities and do not vet organizations still applying for charitable status.

Create Your Nonprofit Admin Account in Blackbaud Verified Network

You must be registered as a nonprofit administrator for your organization in the Blackbaud Verified Network. This grants you access to manage your organization's information in YourCause, including the profile shown to potential donors.

If you do not have an account, see the registration guide for your location to learn how to create your account, add or claim your organization and submit an admin request.

After submitting your request and required documentation, Blackbaud's Compliance will review it and follow up if additional information is needed. Review typically takes two business days, and you will be notified when approved.

Tip: Already have an account? Confirm that you're listed as an admin for your organization by signing into your account and opening My Nonprofits. If your organization is not shown in the list of organizations you've claimed, select Start a new administrator request in My Nonprofits to submit an admin request. For details, see Administer Multiple Organizations.

Apply For Vetting Through CanadaHelps

Vetting confirms that your organization is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and is eligible to receive donations. For Canadian charities, vetting is completed through CanadaHelps, not through the Blackbaud Verified Network. Complete registration and onboarding on the CanadaHelps site.

  1. Open CanadaHelps.

  2. Open the free charity account sign-up page.

    Note: If a CanadaHelps account exists for the charity, sign in at CanadaHelps sign in.

  3. Follow the steps in Getting Started: How to Register Your Charity on CanadaHelps.

  4. Submit the registration for review in CanadaHelps.

  5. Complete follow-up tasks requested by CanadaHelps.

Tip: For assistance with registration or questions about vetting status, contact CanadaHelps.

Your Vetting Is Approved

After CanadaHelps reviews and approves the charity, vetting is complete!

Your organization status in the Blackbaud Verified Network updates to Eligible for Giving, and it appears to donors across the YourCause platform, including YourCause CSRconnect and GrantsConnect.

Next Steps

After vetting is complete, return to your Blackbaud Verified Network and CanadaHelps accounts to configure your settings and profiles - and get ready for potential donors!

Blackbaud Verified Network

In your Blackbaud Verified Network account, nonprofit admins can complete these tasks:

  • Complete YourCause compliance affirmations and select affiliations - Complete any outstanding compliance statements and select affiliations. Partner companies use this information when setting up corporate giving programs.For details, see Complete Compliance Agreements and Affiliations .

  • Update your organization profile - Update the organization profile to improve donor visibility. Add a mission description and logo. For details, see Manage Your Nonprofit Profile.

CanadaHelps

In your CanadaHelps account, nonprofit admins can complete these tasks:

  • Manage donation disbursement - Keep disbursement information current in CanadaHelps. CanadaHelps collects and grants donations made through YourCause and deposits funds based on the CanadaHelps disbursement schedule.

    Tip: Register for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) in CanadaHelps. For details, see Register or Update Your Charity's Banking Details.

  • Maintain Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) compliance - Maintain good standing with the CRA to retain vetted status. Vetting is typically a one-time process unless charitable status changes.