Nonprofit Organizations

Formation of non-profit or low-profit business entities

Nonprofit organizations are special types of business entities formed under state law. We will help form the right kind of entity for your project, in the right jurisdiction, and set you up to run it in accordance with the law.

Applications for tax-exempt status

Forming a nonprofit is only step one for many charitable projects. Exemption from taxation can be a huge benefit for some types of organizations and their donors. For many small organizations, the application is simple and inexpensive, and often can be done without legal assistance. For larger organizations with substantial revenue or assets, the application for tax-exempt status is much more involved, and most organizations would benefit from professional help.

Policy creation and administration

Nonprofit organizations, especially those with tax-exempt status, are creatures of policy, and are answerable to one or more public officials for adopting and following an array of written policies required either by law, agreement, or prevailing standards. We can help create these policies and document your organization’s compliance with them as occasions arise.

Organizational governance, documentation, and record keeping

In addition to policies, nonprofit organizations, like any business entity, generally must document its activities in the books of the organization. We can advise your organization on how to do this, prepare the documents, keep the records, and advise and train your board members.

Contracts and other agreements

Like any other organization, nonprofits do business with other entities, and must be especially careful to document most business agreements. While many of these are the same as any other organization would encounter, nonprofits often have special contracting opportunities and needs, especially when working with other nonprofits, or when conducting quasi-commercial activities. We have experience managing the particular legal needs of nonprofits and drafting specialized agreements where necessary.