To advocate or not to advocate: The experience of a small rural charity and the politics of political activity

Charitable organizations make an significant contribution to society by assisting vulnerable populations, promoting social justice, and bringing important issues into public debate in which society can respond to. Charitable organizations in Canada however, are restricted in their ability to engage in political activities and contribute to public discourse. In a review of the literature on charities purposes and activities, there is limited research on the factors which compel and (or) deter charities from engaging in political activity in this restrictive bureaucratic landscape. The goal of this research is to contribute to the movement to modernize Canada's restrictive and antiquated charity laws by examining the experiences of a small charitable organization addressing impacts of poverty in rural Ontario, to better understand factors which compel or deter charities from engaging in political activity in a restrictive bureaucratic landscape, and creative approaches to advocacy. The objectives of this study are to: 1. To explore the role of charities in engaging with vulnerable populations; 2. To determine key factors which compel and (or) deter charities from engaging in political activity; and 3. To explore creative approaches to advocacy.