05 February 2017

The Financial Health of Canadian Genealogical Societies 2015

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.

This is being posted much later than in previous years as the report for BIFHSGO was very late in appearing online. The report for OGS is still not online although OGS assures it was submitted well in advance. See the comment posted from OGS below.

Of 10 societies with information currently available for 2015 three had a surplus of revenue over expenditure. Most others had a deficit well covered by assets.

Below is a summary of reports for 2015 with comparative figures for 2014, 2013 and 2012 in parentheses where available.

Alberta Genealogical Society
Total assets of $595,845 ($558,845, $606,312, $540,282), and liabilities of  $ 251,116 ($213,134, $257,883, $200,592). The total revenue was $294,466 ($208,033, $229,344, $254,380). Expenditures totaled $295,448 ($210,752, $250,276, $218,231). The individual annual membership fee remains at $50.

British Columbia Genealogical Society
Total assets of  $209,347 ($206,451, $203,542, $203,016) and liabilities of  $7,600 ($7,810, $9,268, $10,085). Total revenue was $34,030 ($33,923, $27,625, $24,783). Expenditures totaled $30,925    ($29,555, $24,991, $22,502). The individual annual membership fee remains at $45.

British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa 
Total assets of $98,897 ($121,878, $104,683, $90,374) and liabilities of $14,120, ($20,170, $32,716, $30,607). Total revenue was $59,872, ($71,443, $70,738, $54,675). Expenditures totaled $66,583, ($63,844, $55,000, $50,366). 91% of expenditures were categorized as "Other".The individual annual membership fee is increased $5 to $45 for 2017.

Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc
Total assets were $25,523 ($29,166, $43,130) and liabilities $14,098 ($16,072, $15,867).  Total revenue was $ 34,368 ($29,729, $35,226) and expenditure $36,037 ($44,364, $32,525). The individual membership fee is $42.

Manitoba Genealogical Society
Total assets of  $47,734 ($37,118, $55,341, $50,743) and liabilities of  $7,927 ($7,208, $19,157, $22,458). Total revenue was $41,899 ($47,388, $47,727, $60,780). Expenditures totaled $32,060  ( $49,679, $48,942, $59,162). The individual annual membership fee remains $50.

New Brunswick Genealogical Society 
No report for 2015 is yet posted. The figures for 2014 were total assets were$177,857 (182,016, $194,048) and liabilities of $13,844 ($13,224, $21,542). Total revenue was $37,517 ($33,846, $37,121). Expenditures totaled $43,588 ($39,396, $36,974). The individual annual membership fee remains $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 is increased to $39.

Ontario Genealogical Society
No report for 2015 is yet posted as of 6 February 2017. Information from OGS is that it was submitted well in advance but not posted by CRA. See comment below.

Québec Family History Society
Total assets of $ 48,701 ($50,072, $53,800, $65,742)  Liabilities totaled $8,529 ($7,304, $5,111, $7,899). Total revenue was $42,468 ($42,545, $44,095, $60,623). Expenditures totaled $45,064 ($49,054, $50,878, $47,420). The annual fee remains at $75.

Saskatchewan Genealogical Society
Total assets of $ 114,170 ($86,875, $106,334, $46,921). Liabilities totaled $ 135,921 ($127,116, $125,662, $65,054). Total revenue was $237,391 ($239,577, $256,667, $261,767). Expenditures were $252,436 ($260,490, $268,140, $262,316) Basic annual membership remains $50.

Société généalogique canadienne-française
Total assets of $363,189 ($373,417, $339,405  $347,834). Liabilities totaled  $63,648 ($67,351, $39,685, $68,013). Total revenue was $231,117 ($202,946, $215,399  $248,240). Expenditures were $195,137 ($202,782, $201,759, $220,556.) Basic annual membership is increased $5 to $50.

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

Note
The Quebec Family History Society continues with the highest annual membership fee ($75), the New Brunswick Genealogical Society the lowest ($35).

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is disappointing to see so many of the societies having expenditures exceeding income, in some cases by an awfully large amount. How long will these socities be able to survive if this kind of net outflow continues?

Roger R. said...

Good Morning John
I am the VP, Finance of the Ontario Genealogical Society. Please be assured that the Form T3010 for the Ontario Genealogical Society was filed prior to the deadline of June 30, 2016. We will call the CRA and find out why the 2015 Form has not been posted. Here is the similar up to date information you provided in your blog this morning:

Ontario Genealogical Society
Total assets of $1,730,483 ($2,398,885, $2,486,135, $2,422,659) and liabilities of $220,434 ($253,590, $263,728, $248,103). Total revenue was $694,265 ($556,053, $680,411, $757,938). Expenditures totaled $711,897 ($626,736, $602,563, $548,437). The individual annual membership fee remains at $63.


If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Thank You

Roger Robineau

Roger R. said...

Good Morning
I just talked to the Charitabe Charities Directorate. They , in fact have had our Form T-3010 since June 2016. Due to a technical glitch on their part it was never posted.
I provided comparative statistics in a comment yesterday, which does not seem to be posted in your comment section as of today.

Roger Robineau
VP, Finance, The Ontario Genealogical Society.