Nonprofits & Exempt Organizations

Nonprofits & Exempt Organizations

 

  • Our ranks include attorneys who have been named to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Lawyers in America list and recognized by Chambers & Partners as among the leading attorneys in the United States, among others.
  • Our tax litigation attorneys include former IRS trial attorneys, former clerks to the Chief Judge of the United States Tax Court, tax law professors, dual-credentialed CPAs, and attorneys with advanced LL.M. tax degrees from the most prestigious tax programs in the nation. One third of our attorneys serve as tax law professors at tier-one law schools.
  • Best Lawyers® and U.S. News & World Report have recognized Freeman Law as a “Tier 1” Tax Law firm.

Nonprofit organizations occupy a unique position in the economic landscape, and require legal representatives with experience assisting nonprofits in carrying out their mission and navigating the landscape of legal regulations and limitations.

Freeman Law offers strategies and counsel to help nonprofits thrive in all areas of administration and at every stage of growth.


Nonprofit Challenges

Freeman Law is attuned to the unique position that nonprofit organizations and their teams occupy. While nonprofits encounter many of the same economic concerns and administrative challenges as any business, they also face many unique challenges.

While nonprofit status comes with certain benefits, those benefits do not alleviate many inevitable challenges and often even contribute to the special complexities associated with running a nonprofit organization.

Freeman Law offers support to all nonprofit organizations, including:

  • Associations & 501(c)(6) organizations
  • Churches / other religious organizations
  • Foundations
  • Private foundations
  • 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Other nonprofit clients

Nonprofit organizations face a number of common challenges that can be met with the assistance of experienced legal counsel.

Nonprofits often benefit from legal advice and counsel in areas related to:

  • Formation
  • Accreditation
  • Tax compliance
  • 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Other nonprofit clients

Every nonprofit is unique, which means that each has distinct needs. We collaborate with our nonprofit clients to identify and meet their unique needs.


Fiscal Planning

Finances are a primary concern of nonprofits. Effective nonprofit administration requires careful management of budgets, donations, grants, and organizational expenses.

Our experienced nonprofit lawyers help establish best practices for managing the economic aspects of nonprofit operations. When these affairs are professionally administered, the entire organization can run more seamlessly, freeing up leaders to concentrate on the nonprofit mission.

Competent legal counsel also provides the significant practical benefit of ensuring that financial concerns are addressed in a manner that is timely, efficient, and compliant with the specific legal requirements applicable to nonprofits.

Litigation

Like any organization, nonprofits face legal issues. While experienced legal counsel can minimize a nonprofit’s exposure to legal disputes, a nonprofit may nonetheless find itself at the center of litigation or needing to take legal action against a person or another entity. Our nonprofit experience and knowledge can help them navigate these challenges.

Administrative Consulting

In many respects, a non-profit functions much like any other business. Non-profits often require organizational policies; engaged in real estate transactions; have banking, documentation and paperwork, and administrator education and training needs. Our attorneys help our non-profit clients take proactive steps to structure non-profit administration and both reduce administrative challenges and avoid litigation and regulatory scrutiny.

Nonprofit Needs

Freeman Law provides legal support at every stage of nonprofit management, from inception to expansion. Freeman Law is committed to serving the special needs of our nonprofit organizational clients, providing nonprofit legal counsel with unique insight and dedication.

Nonprofit Formation

A well-run, long-lasting nonprofit is built on a strong foundation. Working with experienced legal counsel from the beginning sets the stage for a successful nonprofit. Experienced nonprofit attorneys offer counsel on legal compliance matters that founders often overlook.

Nonprofit formation comes with detailed legal requirements. Freeman Law’s attorneys advise clients on the most suitable type of entity and structure for nonprofit entities based on the scale and goals that they seek to achieve. This often includes assisting with incorporation and seeking 501(c)(3) or other recognized status at the time of formation.

Nonprofit Incorporation

Nonprofit incorporation can occur at the time that the nonprofit is formed, or in some cases after it has begun operations. Eventually, nonprofit incorporation may be a necessity for many nonprofit entities. Liability protection goals may also be served through entity structuring.

Nonprofit Structural Changes

The size, goals, and administration of a nonprofit are subject to change over time. Typical structural changes for a nonprofit include:

  • Scaling up or scaling down
  • Formation of a Board of Directors
  • Appointing officers or a voting board
  • Forming an affiliation
  • Registering as a 501(c)(3)

Registering as a 501(c)(3) status is a common organizational goal and can provide significant benefits, including tax-exempt status if the organization satisfies the requirements set forth by the IRS.

When a nonprofit is a political, religious, or private organization, it is subject to additional regulations. Legal counsel may be necessary to navigate these unique legal technicalities and tax requirements.


Freeman Law Knows Non-Profit Strategy

Freeman Law is a boutique legal firm well-known for bringing simplicity to the complex. Our firm was founded with the express goal of positively impacting the world—leaving our clients and the world better than we found them. Under this founding tenet, we view assisting nonprofit organizations as an important component of our professional obligation and achieving our fundamental goals.

We understand what it takes for a nonprofit organization to thrive, from initial inception to long-term success. With the proper planning and legal support, the sky is the limit for the impact that a nonprofit can make in the world!

Have questions? Refer to our FAQs for Exempt Organizations.