Eligibility

Canada’s Criminal Code permits charitable and religious organizations to conduct a lottery scheme to raise funds pursuant to a licence being issued. Organizations must have a demonstrated charitable or religious mandate to qualify.

The courts have determined that the term "charitable" refers to organizations which provide programs for:
 
  • the relief of poverty
  • the advancement of education
  • the advancement of religion
  • other charitable purposes beneficial to the community
The following pre-requisites are mandatory to be considered eligible for a lottery licence:

  • organizations must have been in existence for at least one (1) year before being considered eligible for lottery licences
  • the organization must have a place of business in Ontario, demonstrate that it is established to provide charitable services in Ontario and use proceeds for objects or purposes which benefit Ontario residents
The primary purposes of an organization are determined by considering:
 
  • the mandate of the organization as set out in its incorporation documents or documents stating the organization’s objectives
  • the objects of the organization as described in its application for licence
  • the services which have actually been provided by the organization to the community

Eligible Charitable and Religious Organizations

Types of organizations in the four categories of charitable mandate include those providing for: 
 
(a) The Relief of Poverty 
 
Organizations providing assistance to those who are:
 
  • in financial need;
  • distressed or suffering as a result of their financial circumstances;
  • experiencing economic disadvantage.
(b) The Advancement of Education 
 
To be eligible, an organization must provide public programs which:
 
  • are geared to scholastic and vocational training for individuals and lead to a recognized diploma or certificate, or
  • advance a recognized field of knowledge which leads to an accredited degree, diploma or certificate; and
  • do not include professional development.
Examples or organizations that could be eligible:
 
  • elementary and secondary public and Roman Catholic separate schools
  • accredited colleges and universities
  • private schools registered with Revenue Canada as a charitable organization
  • parent/teacher associations or other groups which are non-profit entities and which support one of the above types of institutions
  • scholarship or bursary funds registered with Revenue Canada as a charitable organization.
(c) The Advancement of Religion 
 
Religious organizations must demonstrate that programs and services assist in the delivery of religious services and programs to the community. A religious body is considered charitable when its activities serve religious purposes for the public good.

Other activities that advance religion include:
 
  • organizing and providing religious instruction, and performing pastoral and missionary work; and establishing and maintaining buildings for worship and other religious use
(d) Any Purpose Beneficial to the Community
 
To qualify an organization must demonstrate that:
 
  • it is operated on a not-for-profit basis, and its purposes include charitable or religious objects,
  • its services are offered to a significant portion of the public, and
  • the proposed use of proceeds are consistent with its mandate
Eligible organizations include those with mandates in:  
 
  • culture and arts;
  • health and welfare;
  • the enhancement of youth;
  • the enhancement of public safety;
  • amateur sports organizations (majority of players are under 18);
  • community service organizations (service clubs)

Organizations NOT Considered Charitable

Types of organizations which cannot be considered charitable for lottery licencing purposes include:
 
  • social clubs
  • professional associations, unions, employee groups
  • elected representative groups including municipal, regional, provincial and federal governments
  • government ministries, agents or bodies
  • political lobby groups
  • political parties
  • adult hobby groups
  • private sports clubs (e.g. golf/curling)
  • adult sports teams

Contact Us

Phone
705-759-2684

Email
n.novello@cityssm.on.ca

Fax
705-759-2310

TTY
1-877-688-5528

Location
Civic Centre - Level 4

Our Team