The Financial Health of Canadian Genealogical Societies

Each year organizations federally registered as charities in Canada for tax purposes are required to file returns with the Canada Revenue Agency. Part, including financial information, is available on the Revenue Canada website.

You can search for individual society reports at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html. Of 11 societies with information available three had a surplus of income over expenditure. Four others have deficits covered more than ten times by assets.

Below is a summary of reports for 2014 with comparative figures for 2013 and 2012 in parentheses where available.

Alberta Genealogical Society 
Total assets of $558,845 ($606,312, $540,282), and liabilities of $213,134 ($257,883, $200,592). The total revenue was $208,033 ($229,344, $254,380). Expenditures totaled  $210,752 ($250,276, $218,231). The membership fee remained at $50.

British Columbia Genealogical Society
Total assets of $206,451 ($203,542, $203,016) and liabilities of $7,810 ($9,268, $10,085). Total revenue was $33,923 ($27,625, $24,783). Expenditures totaled $29,555 ($24,991, $22,502). The individual annual membership fee remained at $45.

British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa 
While no report for 2014 is yet posted the following are the figures.  Total assets of $121,878  ($104,683, $90,374) and liabilities of $20,170 ($32,716, $30,607). Total revenue was $71,443 ($70,738, $54,675). Expenditures totaled $63,844 ($55,000, $50,366). The individual annual membership fee remains $40.

Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc
The society was newly incorporated as a charity in 2013. Total assets were $29,166 ($43,130) and liabilities $16,072 ($15,867).  Total revenue was $29,729 ($35,226) and expenditure $44,364 ($32,525). The individual membership fee is $42.

Manitoba Genealogical Society
Total assets of $37,118 ($55,341, $50,743) and liabilities of $7,208 ($19,157, $22,458). Total revenue was $47,388 ($47,727, $60,780). Expenditures totaled  $49,679 ($48,942, $59,162). The individual membership fee of $40 increased to $50 on 1 April 2015.

New Brunswick Genealogical Society 
The 2014 figures are not yet posted.  The report for 2013 was "Total assets of $182,016 ($194,048) and liabilities of $13,224 ($21,542). Total revenue was $33,846 ($37,121). Expenditures totaled $39,396 ($36,974)." The individual annual membership fee remained at $35.

Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia
GANS had total assets of $281,182 ($307,796, $303,274) and liabilities of $1,553 ($0, $0). Total revenue was $42,800 ($45,693, $32,549). Total expenditures were $69,858 ($44,703, $30,717). The Association's annual membership fee remained at $30.

Ontario Genealogical Society
Total assets of $2,398,885 ($2,486,135, $2,324,973). Liabilities totaled $253,590 ($263,728, $246,412). Total revenue was $557,053 ($680,411, $621,393). Expenditures totaled $626,736 ($602,563, $617,151). The membership fee for 2015 is $63 plus fees for any branch or special interest group membership.

Québec Family History Society
Total assets of $50,072 ($53,800, $65,742)  Liabilities totaled $7,304 ($5,111, $7,899). Total revenue was $42,545 ($44,095, $60,623). Expenditures totaled $49,054 ($50,878, $47,420). The annual fee remains at $75.

Saskatchewan Genealogical Society
Total assets of $86,875 ($106,334, $46,921). Liabilities totaled $127,116 ($125,662, $65,054). Total revenue was $239,577 ($256,667, $261,767). Expenditures were $260,490 ($268,140, $262,316) Basic membership for 2015 is $50.

Société généalogique canadienne-française
Total assets of $373,417 ($339,405  $347,834). Liabilities totaled $67,351 ($39,685, $68,013). Total revenue was $202,946 ($215,399  $248,240). Expenditures were  $202,782 ($201,759, $220,556.) Basic membership for 2015 is $45.

Victoria Genealogical Society
Total assets of NA( NA, $24,786) and liabilities NA (NA, 0). Total revenue was $34,048 ($40,412, NA). Expenditures totaled $44,502 ($42,629, $35,790). Individual annual membership remained $50.

Note
The Quebec Family History Society continues with the highest annual membership fee ($75), the Genealogical Society of Nova Scotia the lowest ($30).

Thanks to BIFHSGO Treasurer Marnie McCall for providing the society return.

Thanks to Gail Dever for the information for the update adding SGCF.