Find out what you need to do to start your non-profit, apply for tax-exempt status, improve your board meetings, create a strategic plan or make sure your organization is in good standing.

I will provide a customized plan for your non-profit. My services include:

Non-Profit Services

Put simply, I love working with non-profits! Non-profit organizations are full of heart, but they also are highly regulated, and the rules that govern tax-exempt status are complex and numerous.  I help non-profits with the legal and governance aspects of operations so they can do what they do best, which is focus on their mission.

I can help you with:

  • Formation

  • Charitable registration

  • Application for federal (Form 1023) and state tax-exemption

  • Board duties and governance, including design of governance structures and board trainings

  • Bylaws and governance policy creation and review

  • Conflict of interest management and counsel, including potential self-dealing issues

  • 501(c)(3) compliance, including operational test and consistent activities issues

  • Other operational policies and procedures

  • Form 990 preparation

  • Related and unrelated business activities, unrelated business income tax (UBIT) issues

  • Employment matters, insurance, asset purchases, leases, contracts, etc.

Startups

I want to start a non-profit, but I am not sure what to do.

In order to provide you the best value possible, I offer package pricing for startup non-profits, including drafting of governing documents, guidance regarding initial actions of the incorporator and board of directors, counsel regarding planned activities and compliance issues, and preparation of applications for recognition of exemption (IRS Form 1023).  Depending on your needs, I will provide training for ongoing compliance or, for an annual fee, provide secretarial services.  In either case, the package will include a minimum of four hours of consultation.  Many people are surprised to learn that the average Form 1023 (the federal application for tax-exempt status) takes over 100 hours and a year to complete!  However, some very small non-profits (those with less than $5,000 in gross revenues per year) do not need to file a Form 1023 to have tax-exempt status, but they do need to make certain annual filings.  Packages for very small non-profts (no Form 1023 needed) start at $1,000 (filing fees not included).  Non-profits that expect to exceed gross revenues of $5,000 within the first few years of operation should consider filing the Form 1023 immediately.  These packages start at $2,500 (filing fees not included) and increase depending on the complexity of your non-profit.  

Contact me to schedule a consultation, after which I will provide you with a package estimate.

Secretarial Services

Am I doing everything I need to do to maintain my non-profit legally?

Non-profits, especially in the early years of operation (or those staffed by volunteers), do not have the expertise or staff to perform the many ongoing legal and compliance tasks so that your organization will retain its tax-exempt status.  Failing to meet these requirements could open your board members up to liability for the activities of your non-profit, including potential personal liability for income taxes.  For an annual fee, I can assist you with legal and compliance matters so your organization can focus on operations.  My services may include:

  • Setting up, monitoring and updating of a compliance calendar

  • Preparing meeting materials and drafting meeting minutes

  • Keeping a minute book

  • Making annual tax/statutory filings

  • Maintaining trademarks

  • Revising governing documents

For those non-profits already operating, in addition to the above services, I can perform a non-profit "health check," including a review of tax-exempt status and governing documents and policies and procedures to ensure necessary compliance, and remedial work to address any deficiencies.  You may also decide to engage my services on a retainer basis: for an annual fee, I will be available for certain number of hours each year for consultation and/or to provide legal services as they may arise.  Annual fees start at $600 (filing fees not included) and increase depending on the complexity of your non-profit or the number of hours for which you want to retain my services. 

Contact me to schedule a consultation.

Board Training

Our board would like some help understanding their roles and responsibilities.

I provide board trainings onsite or via telephone/video conference to non-profits on a variety of corporate and tax law matters.  The training may cover general corporate governance matters or a specific issue facing the organization.  Topics typically include conflicts of interest, the role of board members, liability issues and optimal governance structure.

Contact me if you would like to see a sample board presentation.

Strategic Plan Consulting

We want to grow our non-profit and we need to create a strategic plan.

I provide consulting for organizations that are preparing or reviewing/updating a strategic plan.  Depending on your needs, my services may include:

  • Designing and facilitating the various elements of the planning process

  • Securing input from stakeholders through focus groups, key informant interviews, and surveys

  • Identifying and helping to compile information that informs the planning process

  • Designing and facilitating the decision-making process, typically some form of retreat

  • Drafting overall directions and goals

  • Working with your leadership to define strategies and timeframes

  • Defining measures and the process to monitor progress

  • Writing the plan – or editing your draft of the plan

Contact me if you would like to me to submit a proposal.