How to Verify a Canadian Charity's Registration Before You Name It in Your Will
A Canadian will that names a charity using the wrong legal name, or names an organization that turns out not to be a registered charity, creates problems for the executor and may void the tax benefit the donor wanted. The fix is a 5-minute verification through the CRA Charities Listings before finalizing the will language.
How to verify a charity
- Go to the CRA Charities Listings at canada.ca/charities (or search "CRA charities listing")
- Search by name, registration number, or location
- Open the charity's listing
- Confirm the following:
- Legal name (use this in your will, not the marketing name)
- Business/Registration Number (format: NNNNNNNNN-RR-NNNN)
- Registration date and current status (active, not revoked, not annulled)
- Mailing address
- Charity type (charitable organization, public foundation, private foundation)
The exact legal name and registration number go into the will. Most lawyers use both for clarity:
"I give to [Legal Name] (Registered Canadian Charity #XXXXXXXXX-RR-XXXX) the sum of [...] for its general charitable purposes."
Common pitfalls
Using the marketing name. Many charities operate as "Hospital Heroes" but are legally registered as "The Hospital Foundation of [City]." The will must use the legal name.
Listing the wrong subsidiary. Some large charities have multiple registered entities (e.g., a national body, regional chapters, separate foundations). The donor's intent may go to the wrong one if the wrong entity is named.
Using a former name. Charities that have changed name remain accessible at their old name in the listings, but the current legal name is what should be used.
Naming an unregistered non-profit. A non-profit organization is not the same as a registered charity. Only registered charities can issue tax receipts. The CRA listing confirms registration status.
Failure to update over time. A charity that was registered when the will was drafted may have lost registration by the time of death. Annual review catches this.
What to do if you're unsure
Contact the charity directly. Most major Canadian charities have a planned-giving office or development office that handles bequest inquiries. They will:
- Confirm the correct legal name and registration number for will purposes
- Provide suggested will language
- Discuss any restrictions or directions you want to add
- In some cases, follow up to confirm the bequest has been arranged
This conversation is free, confidential, and welcomed by every Canadian charity.
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
The will questionnaire prompts users to provide both the charity name and registration number, with a CRA Charities Listing link for verification. The Life Discovery Kit records the charity details so the executor has clear instructions.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]Canada Revenue Agency — List of charities — Canada Revenue Agency
- [2]Canada Revenue Agency — Charities and giving — Canada Revenue Agency
- [3]Canada Revenue Agency — How to get information about a charity — Canada Revenue Agency
Frequently asked questions
What is the CRA Charities Listing?
The Charities Listings is the Canada Revenue Agency's online public database of every registered Canadian charity. It includes the charity's legal name, registration number, address, type, and registration status. Available at canada.ca/charities. The information is updated regularly and is the authoritative source for charity verification in Canada.
Why does this matter for a will?
Only gifts to registered Canadian charities qualify for the charitable donation tax credit on the deceased's terminal return. Naming an unregistered organization (a non-profit not registered as a charity, a foreign organization without Canadian status, a former charity whose registration has been revoked) can void the tax benefit and may complicate executor distribution. The CRA verification confirms the gift will work as intended.
What if the charity's legal name is different from what they market themselves as?
Many Canadian charities operate under a marketing name different from their legal registered name. For example, a hospital foundation may be registered as 'The Hospital Foundation of [City]' but market itself as 'Hospital Heroes.' The will must use the registered legal name, not the marketing name. Confirm directly with the charity's planned-giving office which name to use.
What if I name a charity and they change their name later?
Most provincial estate laws have provisions for charities that have changed name or merged. The executor typically distributes to the successor charity. But this creates extra work. If you discover during your annual review that a named charity has changed name or merged, update the will to reflect the new name.
What if a named charity has lost its registration?
This is a real risk over long planning horizons. Charities occasionally lose registration for various reasons (non-compliance, dormancy, voluntary deregistration). If a charity named in your will has lost registration at the time of your death, the gift may fail or default to estate residue depending on will language. Best practice is to include a clause directing the executor to distribute to a similar charity if the named charity is unable to receive the gift.
Can I name a US or international charity?
International charitable bequests are complicated. Only registered Canadian charities qualify for the charitable donation tax credit. Some US charities have Canadian counterparts; some international charities have Canadian registered branches that can receive the gift and forward funds. Naming a non-Canadian organization directly may make the gift technically legal but tax-inefficient. Consult the charity's planned-giving office to identify the right registered Canadian entity to name.