The Financial Health of Canadian Genealogical Societies 2017

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 post is much later than in previous years as I wanted it to be more complete, but some reports are still not available. For 5 of the 12 societies the latest reporting date available is calendar year end 2017. For 4 societies it is during 2017, and ... for 3 societies the end of calendar year 2016.

Of those reporting during 2017 there were 5 societies with annual surpluses. Four had annual deficits.

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

Alberta Genealogical Society
For the reporting period ending 2016-12-31. 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 $264,331 ($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 for digital journal subscription, $60 for paper.

British Columbia Genealogical Society
For the reporting period ending:  2017-12-31. Total assets of $202,786 ($209,347, $206,451, $203,542, $203,016) and liabilities of $6,604 ($7,600, $7,810, $9,268, $10,085). Total revenue was $33,331 ($34,030, $33,923, $27,625, $24,783). Expenditures totaled $31,729 ($30,925, $29,555, $24,991, $22,502). That's a $1,602 surplus. The individual annual membership fee remains at $45.

British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa 
For the reporting period ending 2017-12-31. Total assets of $109,634, ($98,897, $121,878, $104,683, $90,374) and liabilities of $23,796 ($14,120, $20,170, $32,716, $30,607). Total revenue was $57,978 ($59,872, $71,443, $70,738, $54,675). Expenditures totaled  $63,939 ($66,583, $63,844, $55,000, $50,366). That's a $5,961 deficit — 6.9% of net assets. The individual annual membership fee remains $45.

Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc
For the reporting period ending 2017-12-31 Total assets were $ 35,802 ($25,523, $29,166, $43,130) and liabilities $11,088 ($14,098, $16,072, $15,867).  Total revenue was $33,736 ($34,368, $29,729, $35,226) and expenditure $21,668 ($36,037, $44,364, $32,525). That's a $12,068 surplus. The individual membership fee remains $42.

Manitoba Genealogical Society
For the reporting period ending 2017-03-31 Total assets of  $43,476 ($47,734, $37,118, $55,341, $50,743) and liabilities of  $4,806  ($7,927, $7,208, $19,157, $22,458). Total revenue was $53,194 ($41,899, $47,388, $47,727, $60,780). Expenditures totaled $ 51,924 ($32,060, $49,679, $48,942, $59,162). That's a $1,318 surplus. The individual annual membership fee remains $50.

New Brunswick Genealogical Society 
For the reporting period ending 2016-12-31. Total assets of $186,437 ($ 180,604, $177,857, $182,016, $194,048) and liabilities of $16,428 ($14,045, $13,844, $13,224, $21,542). Total revenue was $35,424 ($ 40,102  $37,517, $33,846, $37,121). Expenditures totaled  $33,639 ($46,629, $43,588 $39,396, $36,974). The individual annual membership fee is $40.

Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia
For the reporting period ending 2017-03-31.  Total assets of $244,902 ($281,182, $307,796, $303,274) and liabilities of n/a, ($1,553, $0, $0). Total revenue was $ 44,448 ($42,800, $45,693, $32,549). Total expenditures were $46,797 ($69,858, $44,703, $30,717). That's a $3,997 deficit . The Association's annual membership fee remains $39.

Ontario Genealogical Society
For the reporting period ending 2017-12-31. Total assets of $1,710,405 ($1,771,728, $1,730,483 $2,145,295) and liabilities of $226,378 ($252,635, $220,434, $253,590), Total revenue was $698,220 ($701,406, $694,265, $557,053). Total expenditures were $740,546 ($709,792, $711,897, $626,736) That's a $41,326 deficit — 2.7% of net assets. The annual membership fee remains $63.

Québec Family History Society
For the reporting period ending 2017-07-31 Total assets of $28,217 ($48,701, $50,072, $53,800, $65,742)  Liabilities totaled $4,464 ($8,529, $7,304, $5,111, $7,899). Total revenue was $40,495 ($42,468, $42,545, $44,095, $60,623). Expenditures totaled $46,972 ($45,064, $49,054, $50,878, $47,420). That's a $6,477 deficit — 27.2% of net assets. The annual fee remains at $75.

Saskatchewan Genealogical Society
For the reporting period ending 2016-12-31. 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
For the reporting period ending 2017-12-31.Total assets of $391,317 ($363,189, $373,417, $339,405  $347,834). Liabilities totaled $58,153 ($63,648, $67,351, $39,685, $68,013). Total revenue was $171,002 ($231,117, $202,946, $215,399  $248,240). Expenditures were $165,584 ($195,137, $202,782, $201,759, $220,556.) That's a $5,586 surplus. Basic annual membership remains $50.

Victoria Genealogical Society
For the reporting period ending 2017-05-31. Total assets of $ 38,327 (NA, NA, NA, $24,786) and liabilities NA (NA, NA, NA, 0). Total revenue was $41,924 ($34,048, $40,412, NA). Expenditures totaled $39,688 ($44,502, $42,629, $35,790). That's a $2,236 surplus. Individual annual membership is increased to $60.