Non-profit societies

1. Overview

The Corporate Registries in the Northwest Territories oversees societies, charities, and not-for-profit organizations.

While it is not mandatory for a not-for-profit organization to register or incorporate, many choose to do so. Incorporating a society creates a legal entity separate from its members, and limits the liability of the individuals involved with it. This process of registering and incorporating comes with both benefits and legal responsibilities (burdens), so any organization should carefully consider whether registration is the right step for their organization’s specific needs and goals.

Some benefits include: As a registered legal entity, an incorporated society can own property and enter into contracts itself, and may also be eligible to register as a charity with the Canada Revenue Agency, qualify for government grants, or apply for a lottery license.

Some legal responsibilities include: Incorporation imposes requirements and responsibilities for an organization. An incorporated society's actions are bound by its bylaws and the Societies Act. The Act also requires a society to hold an annual general meeting, and to file financial statements and lists of directors with the Registrar of Societies (Corporate Registries).

The Registrar of Societies takes no position on the conduct of a societies’ members or the conduct of the society itself. Furthermore, the Registrar also has no authority to resolve conflicts between members or between a society and other parties. However, the Registrar of Societies does enforce registration and filing requirements and societies that do not comply, are regularly dissolved by the Registrar.