Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act s. 6(1)

One or more individuals or bodies corporate may incorporate a corporation by signing articles of incorporation and complying with section 8.

What This Means for Your Not-for-Profit

Under the CNCA, you only need one person to incorporate a federal not-for-profit corporation — there is no minimum requirement of multiple founders. That individual (or body corporate) must sign the Articles of Incorporation and comply with the filing requirements under section 8 of the Act.

However, while one incorporator is legally sufficient, most charity lawyers — including our team at B.I.G. Charity Law Group — recommend having at least three founding directors from the outset. This strengthens your governance structure, satisfies CRA's arm's-length requirements for charity registration, and reduces the risk of a single point of failure in your organization's leadership.

If you are ready to incorporate your not-for-profit, contact our team for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a corporation be the sole incorporator of a not-for-profit?

Yes. The CNCA permits a body corporate — not just an individual — to act as the incorporator. This is common when an existing organization is spinning off a charitable arm.

Does the incorporator have to become a director?

No. The incorporator signs the articles but does not need to serve as a director or officer. They can appoint others to those roles in the founding documents.