Charities We Serve
Our attorneys focus on charity clients. Work covers formation, governance, fundraising compliance, contracts, and complex transactions across the life of an organization. The goal is steady legal support so leaders concentrate on mission, programs, and donor relationships.
Charity Legal Needs
Charity clients rely on clear guidance for structure, risk, and day to day operations. Common matters include:
- Selection of entity type and state of formation for new organizations and affiliates
- Drafting and updating articles of incorporation, bylaws, and governance policies
- Applications for federal and state tax exemption, including Form 1023 and related filings
- Annual corporate maintenance, minutes, and required reports to state agencies
- IRS Form 990 strategy and coordination with accountants
- Board composition, conflicts of interest, and related party transactions
- Contract drafting and review for leases, vendors, consultants, and collaborators
- Fiscal sponsorships, joint ventures, and sponsorship agreements
- Protection and licensing of names, logos, and program materials
- Policies and handbooks for employees and volunteers
- Data privacy and donor information practices tied to fundraising platforms
Governance, Compliance, And Fundraising
Strong governance and transparent fundraising support donor confidence and regulator trust. Attorneys in the firm work with boards and executives on:
- Board role descriptions, committee charters, and leadership succession planning
- Conflicts of interest, whistleblower, and document retention policies
- Alignment between governing documents and current practice
- Charitable solicitation registration and renewal across multiple states
- Raffle and gaming compliance where applicable under state law
- Gift acceptance policies, restricted gifts, and grant reporting duties
- Responses to charity regulator inquiries and audit requests
Transactional Support Across The Life Of An Organization
Charity work often involves complex transactions. The firm provides transactional nonprofit legal services for:
- Founding new entities or restructuring existing ones
- Mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, and program transfers
- Creation and wind down of supporting organizations, affiliates, and special purpose entities
- Real estate purchases, sales, and leases for offices and program sites
- Service agreements, MOUs, and partnership contracts with other nonprofits or agencies
- Revenue generating activities, sponsorships, and unrelated business risk analysis
Transactional nonprofit counsel keeps mission driven projects aligned with tax rules, state law, and donor expectations while still moving forward on realistic timelines.
Why Organizations Work With Our Firm
Leaders look for a law firm that understands both sector norms and technical rules. Key advantages include:
- Concentration on nonprofit and charity clients rather than general commercial practice
- Experience with organizations of different sizes, from start ups to long standing institutions
- Attention to board dynamics and communication needs with stakeholders
- Plain language explanations suited for board meetings and staff trainings
- Willingness to serve as outside general counsel for recurring nonprofit legal work
Request A Consultation
For formation questions, governance updates, transactional projects, or compliance concerns, use the contact form on this page or call the office to request a consultation with a charity lawyer. A focused conversation often leads to a clear action plan that supports both mission progress and legal compliance.