Charity and Non-Profit Law
Welcome to The Acacia Group
We understand the unique legal challenges that Canadian charities, non-profit organizations, and churches face. Whether you’re starting a new charity, managing a non-profit, or overseeing a church, our dedicated lawyers will provide tailored legal solutions to help your organization thrive.
Faith-Based Organizations
Our team is uniquely equipped to represent religious and non-profit organizations. Nearly all of us have worked for faith-based organizations, and we understand their challenges. We find the right solutions without expending donor resources unnecessarily.
Our clients are passionate about their callings and clear about their unique missions. We keep them abreast of legal issues so they can focus on their work.
Why Choose The Acacia Group?
Commitment to the Non-Profit Sector: The non-profit sector is not just an area of practice for us; it’s woven into the fabric of our lives. Our lawyers and professionals have an extensive background in charity, non-profit, and church law. Beyond our professional roles, we have served on boards, in churches, and with charities. Along with our families, we fundraise, donate, and participate as members in Annual General Meetings. Our collective involvement extends to launching new charities and revitalizing struggling ones. Our deep commitment to the well-being of non-profit and faith-based organizations is reflected in our personal passions. Consequently, a significant portion of our clientele hails from this sector.
Legal Expertise: Keeping pace with the evolving legal landscape is paramount in providing sound advice. We keep abreast of the latest legal developments so that you receive up-to-date, relevant counsel. This dedication to continuous learning empowers us to navigate the complexities of charity, non-profit, and church law.
Personalized Approach: Recognizing the distinctiveness of each organization, we take a tailored approach to understanding your specific needs, investing the time to understand your organizational goals. This allows us to align our legal services precisely with the unique objectives of your organization, ensuring a strategic and effective partnership.
Specialized Support for Private Schools: We acknowledge the distinct challenges faced by private and faith-based schools and are committed to delivering comprehensive legal assistance geared to their unique circumstances. Our services include incorporation and compliance, governance and policy development, drafting of charters and codes of conduct, legal counsel on employment matters, facility management, and implementation of risk management and liability strategies. We take pride in developing customized strategies that align with each school’s mission, values, and objectives.
Professional Assistance for Private Campgrounds: Our commitment to community extends beyond traditional sectors. We proudly offer legal support for private campgrounds engaging in charitable and non-profit initiatives, notably those which combine faith with love for the outdoors. Whether your campground is contributing to environmental conservation, supporting community events, or fostering outdoor education, our team can assist with legal structures, compliance, and risk management.
Services:
We provide all legal services required for charities and not-for-profits including:
- Not-for-profit incorporation
- Charitable registration
- Regulatory compliance
- Governance Policies and Advice
- Legal Risk Management and Audits
- Employment law
- Human rights and Civil Litigation
- Strategic Planning
- Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) Transitions
GET TO KNOW FAYE SONIER
Prior to joining The Acacia Group, she served as Legal Counsel to The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, the national association of evangelical Christians. Following that, she was the Executive Director and General Counsel for Canadian Physicians for Life, the national association of physicians committed to the traditional and life-affirming Hippocratic Oath.
In everything from incorporating new non-profits to guiding others through the CRA charitable status application process, reviewing corporate documents, helping to rebuild corporate minute books, and updating policies to reflect the changes in our legal and cultural environments, Faye partners with clients so they can meet their goals.
Her extensive experience in the charitable sector has given Faye insight into the financial realities many churches and charities face, and her rates are some of the most competitive in the market. Thanks to the Acacia Group’s unique structure, she can meet charities’ legal needs at a reasonable rate and offer a church and charity discount of 10% to most clients.
Schedule a Consultation
Book an appointment now through our Online Portal , email us at info@acaciagroup.ca, or call us at 613-221-5895.