Practice Areas
We help nonprofits and social entrepreneurs at every stage, from formation through ongoing compliance, and dissolution.
Organization Setup ✻ Tax Exemption ✻ Fundraising
Employee & Volunteer Management ✻ Contracts ✻ Brand Protection
Organization Setup
A traditional 501(c)(3) nonprofit is not the appropriate entity for every socially conscious business. We’ll talk you through your goals and advise you on the best legal structure.
We assist in all steps of formation, including articles of incorporation, bylaws, board meeting minutes, licensing, and more.
We will help you explore if a benefit corporation is the best entity for your businesses, and assist will all aspects of forming and getting the businesses up and running.
We assist with all areas of forming an LLC and getting it up and running, including formation documents, articles of organization, business licensing consulting, tips on running your new company, and more.
We assist with all 501(c)(3) applications, including Form 1023 and Form 1023-EZ.
We will help you determine which tax exemption is appropriate for your organization. We assist with all exemption applications, including business leagues (501(c)(6)), social clubs (501(c)(7), and homeowner associations (501(c)(4)).
The tax exemption application is only the first step. We assist nonprofits with ongoing compliance, including guidance on activities, unrelated business income, and reporting.
We assist nonprofits apply for exemption from California property tax.
Tax Exemption
Fundraising
California nonprofits must follow state and federal regulations when it comes to soliciting donations. We provide legal guidance to ensure your organization is in compliance and not putting your 501(c)(3) status in jeopardy.
We can help you explore if fiscal sponsorship is right for your organization and the legal requirements. We also draft and review fiscal sponsorship agreements.
California nonprofits must follow the registration and reporting requirements for fundraising, or risk fines or suspension. We help nonprofits navigate these requirements, and address noncompliance.
California nonprofits and exempt organizations must follow state and federal fundraising regulations, or face penalties including losing their exempt status. We help nonprofits evaluate potential fundraising ideas to ensure compliance.
Nonprofits must follow the same employment laws as for-profit businesses. We help nonprofits navigate state and federal laws regarding the recruitment and hiring of new employees.
We review and draft employee and independent contractor agreements. In addition, we provide guidance on whether a worker is an independent contractor or employee under California law.
We review and draft volunteer agreements that suit the needs of your organization and your mission.
We review and draft both employee and volunteer handbooks to ensure compliance with the current state and federal employment laws.
Employee & Volunteer Management
Contracts
Contracts are an essential part of every business, and nonprofits are no exception. We negotiate, draft, and review a wide variety of contracts, including leases, service agreements, and waivers.
All organizations should consider how to limit liability to protect the assets and the organization itself. We understand the California regulations on liability waivers and tailor agreements to the needs of your organization.
Also known as a non-disclosure agreement or NDA, confidentiality agreements protect trade secrets and other proprietary information. We help nonprofits identify information they would like to protect and draft agreements tailored to their needs.
Service agreements are a regular part of any business, nonprofits included. We review and draft service agreements, including contracts relating to freelancers, fundraising, tech services, and more.
Before picking a name for your organization, it’s best to conduct a trademark clearance search to verify the name is available. We provide trademark clearance searches both as a standalone service, and as part of registering a trademark.
We assist in all areas of trademark registration with the USPTO, including clearance searches, applications, responses to office actions, statements of use, and revivals of abandoned applications.
We can help you explore if trademark licensing is appropriate for your organization. In addition, we review and draft trademark licensing agreements.
We assist in trademark enforcement, including cease and desist letters for infringement.
Brand Protection
Take Your Nonprofit to the Next Level
Are you ready to make an impact by getting the legal help you need? Contact us today to find the best legal solutions for your organization.
