OTTAWA - The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture and Agri-Food), is inviting registered charities and not-for-profit organizations that serve the charitable sector to submit project proposals for funding consideration under the Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) Charities Partnership and Outreach Program.

"The Charities Partnership and Outreach Program is an important part of our efforts to raise awareness among charitable organizations of the laws that apply to donations, which enhances the partnership between the charitable sector and the Government," said Minister Blackburn. "Projects funded under this program assist charities in complying with their Income Tax Act obligations."

During the course of fiscal year 2010-2011 (April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011), $3 million in contribution funding will be available, to support sector education and training projects related to compliance. For 2010-2011, only one-year projects will be considered for funding up to a maximum of $500,000. The CRA, in consultation with members of the voluntary sector and federal departments, will recommend for funding suitable projects related to one or more of the following priorities:

- educating charities on compliant fundraising practices;

- educating charities and/or donors about tax shelter donation arrangements and false receipting; and

- promoting transparency and accountability in the charitable sector.

The Charities Partnership and Outreach Program is a contribution funding program designed to support compliance-related education and training projects for charities. It offers funding to registered charities and not-for-profit organizations serving the charitable sector in Canada to support projects designed to:

- raise awareness among charitable organizations of their regulatory obligations under the Income Tax Act;

- increase the capacity of the charitable sector in meeting regulatory requirements in a sustainable fashion; and

- improve the capacity of the charitable sector to develop and deliver sustainable compliance-based education and training solutions.

The deadline for applications is November 30, 2009.

For more information about this call for proposals, including the application process and funding priorities, or to find out more about previously funded projects, go to the CRA's Charities and Giving Web page at www.cra.gc.ca/charities, or call 1-866-816-7604.