The Financial Health of Canadian Genealogical Societies 2016

Each year organizations federally registered as charities in Canada for tax purposes are required to file returns with the Canada Revenue Agency including financial information. 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 currently available for 2016 eight had a surplus of revenue over expenditure. For the previous period only three had a surplus. Most with a deficit had it well covered by assets.

Below is a summary of reports for 2016 with comparative figures for previous years in parentheses where available.

Alberta Genealogical Society
Total assets of $612,912 ($595,845, $558,845, $606,312, $540,282), and liabilities of  $229,017 ($251,116, $213,134, $257,883, $200,592). The total revenue was  $263,331 ($294,466, $208,033, $229,344, $254,380). Expenditures totaled  $225,165  ($295,448, $210,752, $250,276, $218,231). The individual annual membership fee remains at $50.

British Columbia Genealogical Society
Total assets of  $ 211,006, ($209,347, $206,451, $203,542, $203,016) and liabilities of  $ 8,641, ($7,600, $7,810, $9,268, $10,085). Total revenue was $41,331, ($34,030, $33,923, $27,625, $24,783). Expenditures totaled $45,355,($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  $ 112,343 ($98,897, $121,878, $104,683, $90,374) and liabilities of  $ 21,160, ($14,120, $20,170, $32,716, $30,607). Total revenue was $70,112, ($59,872, $71,443, $70,738, $54,675). Expenditures totaled $65,587 ($66,583, $63,844, $55,000, $50,366). 73% (91%) of expenditures were categorized as "Other". The individual annual membership fee increased $5 to $45 for 2017.

Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc
Total assets were $ 24,346 ($25,523, $29,166, $43,130) and liabilities $10,701 ($14,098, $16,072, $15,867).  Total revenue was $29,331, ($34,368, $29,729, $35,226) and expenditure $26,107, ($36,037, $44,364, $32,525). The individual membership fee is $42.

Manitoba Genealogical Society
Total assets of  $ 44,954, ($47,734, $37,118, $55,341, $50,743) and liabilities of $ 6,029, ($7,927, $7,208, $19,157, $22,458). Total revenue was $ 48,219, ($41,899, $47,388, $47,727, $60,780). Expenditures totaled $ 47,543,($32,060, $49,679, $48,942, $59,162). The individual annual membership fee remains $50.

New Brunswick Genealogical Society
No report for 2016 is yet posted.

Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia
GANS had total assets of $ 285,518 ($281,182, $307,796, $303,274) and liabilities of  na ($1,553, $0, $0). Total revenue was $88,023 ($42,800, $45,693, $32,549). Total expenditures were $ 82,134 ($69,858, $44,703, $30,717). 

Ontario Genealogical Society
OGS had total assets of $1,771,728 ($1,730,483, $ 2,398,885) and liabilities of $252,635 ($220,434, $253,590). Total revenue was $701,406 ($ 694,265, $557,053). Total expenditures were $709,792 ($ 711,897, $626,736). The society had a financially successful annual conference in Toronto in 2016.

Québec Family History Society
Total assets of $36,128, ($48,701, $50,072, $53,800, $65,742)  Liabilities totaled $ 5,895, ($8,529, $7,304, $5,111, $7,899). Total revenue was $38,714, ($42,468 $42,545, $44,095, $60,623). Expenditures totaled $ 48,653, ($45,064, $49,054, $50,878, $47,420). The annual fee remains at $75.

Saskatchewan Genealogical Society
Total assets of $141,278, $114,170, $86,875, $106,334, $46,921). Liabilities totaled $123,279 ($135,921 ($127,116, $125,662, $65,054). Total revenue was $280,227 ($237,391, $239,577, $256,667, $261,767). Expenditures were $244,704 ($252,436, $260,490, $268,140, $262,316) Basic annual membership remains $50.

Société généalogique canadienne-française
Total assets of $ 374,826 ($363,189, $373,417, $339,405  $347,834). Liabilities totaled  $58,001 ($63,648, $67,351, $39,685, $68,013). Total revenue was $190,530 ($231,117, $202,946, $215,399  $248,240). Expenditures were $173,516 ($195,137, $202,782, $201,759, $220,556.) 

Victoria Genealogical Society
Total assets of NA, (NA, NA, NA, $24,786) and liabilities NA, (NA, NA, NA, 0). Total revenue was $42,261, ($34,048, $40,412, NA). Expenditures totaled   $41,054, ($44,502, $42,629, $35,790). Individual annual membership remains $50.