When there is a disaster or other emergency, you may want to help by donating to a registered charity. The following information may help you to donate wisely.

Determine which registered charities are involved in disaster or emergency relief

The List of charities and certain other qualified donees has many advanced search features to help you find registered charities and to check whether an organization you have heard about is a registered charity.

You can refine your search by selecting a charity type. Most relief organizations are listed under "other purposes beneficial to the community." You can also refine your search by selecting a category.

To find out which countries a charity operates in, go to the charities listing and look under “Operations outside Canada” on the charity’s Quick View page.

Donations made to foreign charities

Donations made to foreign charities are not typically eligible for a charitable donation tax credit or deduction; however, there are some exceptions.

A foreign charity that has received a gift from His Majesty in right of Canada (the Government of Canada) and is registered by the CRA may become a qualified donee if it meets certain criteria. To find out which foreign charities can currently issue donation receipts, as well as the time period for which they may do so, consult the List of currently registered foreign charities.

For more information about gifts to U.S. charities, go to P113, Gifts and Income Tax.

Cases when the federal government may match your donation

In some cases, the federal government supports relief efforts by offering to match donations made to registered charities by Canadians. In cases of domestic relief efforts, these announcements are usually made by Public Safety Canada. In cases of international relief efforts, these announcements are usually made by Global Affairs Canada.

For more information

For more information, contact the Charities Directorate. In addition, Public Safety Canada has information about domestic disaster and emergency relief efforts while Global Affairs Canada has information about foreign relief efforts.

Related links

• Response to humanitarian crisis (Global Affairs Canada)
• Applicants for charitable status – disaster or emergency relief