A legal audit is an overview of an organization’s non-financial compliance, governance and risk management issues. Organizations typically consider a legal audit when new management takes over and wants to ensure they are starting with a clean slate or the in the wake of a costly mistake.
We are often asked “ what exactly is a B Corporation? B Corporations are a new kind of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. You can think of a B Corporation certification as analogous to a Fair Trade or LEED certification, but for a business instead of a bag of coffee or a building.
An often overlooked aspect of corporate law is the concept of doing business in a particular jurisdiction. This determination comes into play when the corporation’s activities go beyond the borders of its home state or domicile.
Minimizing legal exposure is important because volunteers’ acts are generally imputed to the nonprofit organization. Specific, written volunteer policies and procedures are critical. Important components of a good volunteer program include clear and forward-thinking volunteer policies, thorough volunteer applications, screening, and management.
Hold Annual Meeting. Most corporate bylaws require that the directors meet at least annually. Many state nonprofit corporation statutes also require an annual meeting. The annual meeting is typically the meeting where the board (or voting members) fill vacancies on the board, appoint officers, approve budgets, circulate and sign conflict of interest disclosures, and ratify actions taken during the year.
Arizona recently amended its gambling laws to make it easier for political organizations, political clubs, booster clubs, and civic clubs to hold small raffles. The
Yes, the rumors are true. CharityLawyer has formed her own law firm. My theme for 2010 is Small is Beautiful (which happens to be the title of the next book review). I started my career at a big four accounting firm with thousands of tax professionals, moved down the food chain to a national law firm of only 400 lawyers, and then to a regional law firm with a mere 200 lawyers. So, to continue the trend, I have started my own boutique law firm specializing in representing nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations. The firm is located in Phoenix, Arizona but will represent clients with respect to exempt organizations matters nationwide.
Most states require you to register your organization if you solicit donations from their residents. Many states also require registration if your organization collects substantial or ongoing donations from their residents, even if you aren’t specifically targeting donors in that state. Download our comprehensive list of each state’s requirements.
Download our free guide to learn about the many elements needed to run a successful nonprofit organization, as well as how to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes.