About Us

How We Work

In 2009, RAVEN was founded with a goal to change the legal system from the inside out — the RAVEN staff and Board believe in a future where we see Indigenous rights upheld across the country.

A Legal Theory of Change

RAVEN works to support Indigenous Peoples in enforcing their rights and title in court to protect their lands, sovereignty, and ways of being. When we partner with Indigenous Nations, we raise both funds and awareness for their legal actions. Every campaign we take on is an opportunity to redefine justice by setting legal precedents, to return stewardship to First Peoples by advancing Indigenous rights, and to take action for our shared futures by establishing lasting environmental legacies. 

Indigenous-led litigation is sparking transformative change across Canada, and we are grateful to help amplify these voices and support their access to justice, which is creating a path towards a more just future for all. Together, we’re building a movement for lasting systemic change!

How We Do It

  • RAVEN responds to Applications for Support from Indigenous Nations across Canada.
  • RAVEN takes on fundraising for Indigenous-led litigation in partnership with Indigenous Nations.
  • We have additional funds that are reimagining the court process in a more holistic way. 
  • Our Intervenor Fund was established to bring Indigenous perspectives to legal challenges without Nations having to shoulder the entire financial burden of bringing a case through the justice system. Learn more or apply here. 
  • Over time, we have learned that there are many costs beyond legal costs that Nations must pay. Those costs restrict Nations from fully exercising their legal orders and, more importantly, limit Nations’ capacity to integrate their culture, customs, and traditions when trying to access justice. That’s why RAVEN started the Community Action Fund for Indigenous Nations that need funding to access justice according to their own laws and protocols. Apply for the Community Action Fund here.

Our Process

Application Review

We submit all applications to rigorous analysis via our RAVEN Advisory Panel, and engage in a process with our Board of Directors to determine our capacity to take on new campaigns.

01

Form Partnership Agreements

Once approved, RAVEN enters into partnership agreements with Nations. We are not lawyers, nor are we a grant-making organization: we are fundraisers.

02

Create a Campaign Plan

We work collaboratively with Nations to shape a campaign. We engage in public education and outreach centred around Indigenous People’s stories of what’s at stake — for communities and for the environment.

03

Raise Funds

Through digital campaigns, events, and partnerships with allied organizations, we engage our very active community to fundraise on behalf of the Nations.

We build coalitions with movement leaders, grassroots organizations and passionate supporters to fundraise, organize events, fundraise online and engage businesses in showing up in solidarity for Indigenous rights. 

When we partner with Indigenous Nations, we set out to raise funds which are held in trust and disbursed at the direction of our Partner Nations to the law firms they have chosen to work with.

04

We welcome new applications from potential Indigenous community partners

See our Partner Guidelines and Application for Support for more information.

Learn More about Litigation Support

Gift Acceptance Policy

RAVEN recognizes that philanthropy exists within broader social, political, and economic systems, and that the origins of wealth can be complex. As an Indigenous-led organization working in solidarity with Nations and communities across the country, RAVEN is committed to approaching gift acceptance in a thoughtful, community-informed, and values-aligned way.

In considering gifts, RAVEN may assess whether a donor’s or funder’s activities, practices, or sources of wealth could materially conflict with RAVEN’s mission, values, responsibilities to Indigenous communities, or commitments to justice and equity.

RAVEN also recognizes that these conversations can be nuanced and evolving. Where questions or concerns arise regarding a donor’s wealth story, business practices, or philanthropic intentions, RAVEN may seek open dialogue grounded in transparency, mutual respect, and partnership. Donors and funders are encouraged to engage in these conversations in good faith.

Final decisions regarding gift acceptance remain at the discretion of RAVEN and may involve consultation with leadership, impacted communities, or the Board where appropriate.

The Gift Acceptance Policy supplies important information for RAVEN (“Organization”) representatives who may be involved in the solicitation and acceptance of gifts, outside advisors who may assist in the gift planning and solicitation process, and prospective donors to help them fulfill their philanthropic intent. This Policy is intended as a guide for accepting gifts and will be reviewed and applied on a case-by-case basis. The main objectives are:

  • To clarify under which circumstance a gift will be accepted;
  • To clarify under which circumstance a gift will be declined;
  • To give a clear rationale for accepting and declining gifts, and;
  • To delineate a process for accepting or declining gifts.

Policy Review and Gift Acceptance Authority

The Board of Directors reviews and approves this policy upon recommendation from RAVEN’s Development Director. Amendments to this policy require approval of the Board of Directors.

The Development Director is responsible for day-to-day donor relations and for assessing the acceptance or rejection of gifts made to RAVEN, including gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other entities. The Development Director will assess gifts in accordance with RAVEN’s values, mission, strategic priorities, and this Gift Acceptance Policy.

Where there is a question around values alignment, or acceptability of a gift, the Executive Director may be consulted to support decision-making. RAVEN’s Board of Directors may also engage in gift acceptance based on the following gift thresholds:

  • $1 – $499,999: Director of Development; Process: The Director of Development will determine gift acceptance in accordance with this policy and consult the Executive Director as needed.
  • $500,000 +: Board of Directors; Process: Requires majority Board approval

Gifts to RAVEN’s General Operations

For gifts directed to RAVEN’s general operations, including unrestricted gifts that support organizational operating costs, the Development Director may accept or reject a gift in accordance with this policy. Where the Development Director determines that acceptance of a gift may conflict with or jeopardize RAVEN’s values, mission, reputation, or relationships, they will consult with the Executive Director. The Executive Director will make the final decision regarding acceptance or rejection of the gift.

Gifts Directed to Campaigns or Nation Partners

Where a gift is directed specifically toward a RAVEN campaign, legal case, or a fund established to support the work of a specific Nation partner, the Development Director will assess the gift in accordance with this policy and will consider the values, priorities, and interests of the relevant Nation partner.

Where acceptance of such a gift may raise questions about values alignment, create reputational or relational concerns, or otherwise conflict with the interests or priorities of the Nation partner, RAVEN will inform the relevant Nation partner of the proposed gift and provide them with the opportunity to accept or reject the gift.

RAVEN will respect the Nation partner’s decision regarding a gift directed toward their campaign or work. Where the Nation partner declines a gift, RAVEN will not accept or direct the gift to that campaign or Nation partner. Where appropriate, RAVEN may work with the donor to determine whether the gift can be redirected to another RAVEN campaign, to general operations, or to another purpose acceptable to the donor and consistent with this policy.

Where there is uncertainty regarding the appropriate course of action, the Development Director will consult with the Executive Director before proceeding.

Eligible Gifts
In addition to cash gifts from individuals, foundations, businesses, and corporations’ matching gift programs, etc. RAVEN may accept:

  • Public securities;
  • Bequests;
  • RRSPs and RRIFs;
  • Life insurance policies and their proceeds;
  • Gift plus annuities;
  • Charitable remainder trusts;
  • Gifts or residual interest;
  • Real estate;
  • Tangible property (i.e. Gifts in Kind);
  • Airline points rewards
  • Private company shares and other business interest, and/or;
  • Other gifts as approved by the board from time to time.

With regard to real estate, RAVEN is authorized to accept both current and deferred gifts. Current gifts are those where title to the property transfers at the time the donor arranges the gift. Deferred gifts are those where title does not transfer until a certain date or condition has been fulfilled, such as the donor’s death.

Ineligible Gifts
RAVEN shall not accept gifts which:

  • Encroach upon the organization’s integrity of values, mission, and/or purpose;
  • Come from organizations engaged in oil and gas or mining industries, or in any industry or endeavour where there are reasonable grounds to believe that an organization is in violation of Indigenous Peoples’ Free, Prior, and Informed Consent—whether in Canada or elsewhere;
  • Restrict the organization’s liberty of action;
  • Cause damage to the organization’s reputation;
  • Place additional costs or burdens on the organization or expose it to uncertain risk or possible liability;
  • Come from an unlawful source.

Furthermore, RAVEN reserves the right to refuse or to return any gift from a donor where:

  • Undue influence would be exerted by the donor to shape the spending of RAVEN or to distort RAVEN’s campaigns;
  • A donor harasses, threatens, or harms the property, safety, security, or well-being of others, including RAVEN staff, Board, volunteers, partner First Nations or organizations.
  • Harassment may include but is not limited to epithets, slurs, derogatory comments or jokes, intimidation, negative stereotyping, threats, assault, or any physical interference.
  • The gift is linked to goods, services, or more than incremental benefits that would be provided to the donor or recommending donor;
  • The Nation does not support the business from whom they were to receive the funds;
  • The gift could endanger the public’s trust in RAVEN to uphold Indigenous rights and preserve and protect the environment,

These conditions apply to all gifts:

  • The principal basis for making a gift should be the desire on the part of the donor to support the mission, programs, and objectives of RAVEN.
  • RAVEN’s Executive Director, and Board of Directors determine the organization’s priorities and have oversight of all campaigns.
  • Accepting a gift is not a sign that RAVEN is aligned with an individual, business, corporation, organization, or viewpoint.
  • We reserve the right to refuse or return any gift that is not consistent with our mission, vision and values, which could introduce a conflict of interest, that is prohibitively restrictive, or that could expose RAVEN to liability or adverse publicity.
  • We may choose to return a gift, leave a portion of the gift unused, or otherwise not accept a gift from a donor due to either real or perceived conflicts between RAVEN’s values and their reputation—whether personal or business-related.
  • All potential donors shall be advised to use their own legal and tax counsel in matters relating to their potential gift.

RAVEN welcomes donations that support our mission. The principal basis for making a gift should be the desire on the part of the donor to support the mission, programs, and objectives of RAVEN.

  • No gift shall be knowingly solicited from any prospective donor in the event that it would benefit RAVEN at the expense of the donor’s interest and welfare.
  • Donors can delineate where they would like their donation directed insofar as their direction aligns with RAVEN’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Priorities.
  • Donors have the right to confidentiality/anonymity should they so choose.
  • Donors will be acknowledged and recognized in accordance with RAVEN’s donor acknowledgement procedures and donor choice.
  • Donors can access the names of the members of the Board of Directors on RAVEN’s website.
  • Donors will be given a copy of RAVEN’s most recent financial statements on request.
  • Donors will be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of RAVEN, or hired solicitors.
  • RAVEN’s mailing lists will not be shared with other organizations.
  • Donors should feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.

Operating Fee
For all campaign donations, RAVEN sends 85% of each dollar raised directly to the partnered Indigenous Nation by paying off invoices they submit to RAVEN. RAVEN retains 15% of campaign fundraising to fund essential program and operational expenses, including staff and contractors, communications and marketing, campaign management, education program, administration and operational expenses, and fundraising. In the rare cases that unrestricted funding exceeds RAVEN’s operational needs, RAVEN may place the relevant funding into its Discretionary Litigation Fund, which supports whichever of RAVEN’s campaigns are most in need of additional funding.

RECORD KEEPING
Any determination, consultation or notification required by this policy will be recorded and available to the Board.

TAX RECEIPTING CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDING GIFTS IN KIND
The CRA has strict rules and regulations concerning the issuance of tax receipts. These rules include:

  • Any advantage or benefit received by the donor must be deducted from the amount of their donation for tax receipting purposes. Tax receipts will only be issued for the amount allowable by the CRA (i.e. the difference between the donation and the advantage received, such as a ticketed RAVEN event supplying dinner, if the ticket cost is beyond the value of the dinner itself, the difference is considered a donation and will be tax receipted);
  • Donations of services, such as entertaining, hall rental, printing, etc., are not eligible for tax receipts;
  • Tax receipts may not be issued for auctions, raffles, or draws, and;
  • Organizations that receive recognition at the event as part of a sponsorship agreement may not qualify for a tax receipt.

RAVEN will abide by regulations concerning donations both in Canada and where donations originate from other jurisdictions. Please see the CRA Website for further information.

Transparency

Like most charities, we also have to raise the money to keep the doors open. Our standard practice is to use 15% of funds raised to pay for RAVEN’s operating expenses. In the rare cases that unrestricted funding exceeds RAVEN’s operational needs, RAVEN may place the relevant funding into its Discretionary Litigation Fund, which supports whichever of RAVEN’s campaigns are most in need of additional funding.