NYSBA

2013 CHARITY CORPS PROGRAM
 Assistance with Nonprofit Compliance and Governance

2013 Application (PDF)

Charity Corps: Lawyers Helping Nonprofits is a joint initiative of the New York State Bar Association and the New York State Attorney General’s Office Charities Bureau.  We match volunteer attorneys with charities in need, to provide pro bono legal assistance with nonprofit corporate law, governance and compliance matters.   Following a successful initial pilot year in 2012, the program once again is accepting applications through January 15 for matching and services to take place in 2013.  Nonprofits based in New York State with operating budgets of less than $1 million are eligible to apply for help with matters such as: 

  • updating bylaws;
  • clarifying fundraising law requirements and enhancing compliance;
  • reviewing how to maintain tax exempt status in good standing;
  • preparing or updating important governance documents such as conflict of interest policies and questionnaires, audit committee charters, whistleblower policies, and document retention policies;
  • explaining limitations and restrictions on political activities by charities;
  • implementing proper procedures for executive compensation;
  • helping with legal elements of IRS Form 990 and NYS CHAR 500; and
  • other nonprofit corporate law, governance and compliance needs.

Who should apply?

  • Charitable organizations incorporated and doing business in New York State
  • 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in good standing
  • Lack of in-house counsel and an inability to afford outside counsel
  • Annual operating budget under $1,000,000
  • No local affiliates of national nonprofits
  • No private/family foundations
  • No schools or religious institutions

If your organization meets the criteria above and would benefit from being matched with a pro bono attorney for help with any of the listed matters, please submit your completed application form, together with the supplemental documents, to charitycorps@nysba.org no later than January 15, 2013.  Charities selected to participate will hear back by mid-April.

Organizations are encouraged to check the website, www.nysba.org/CharityCorps, for information about upcoming trainings and other resources. Please be advised that in order to process your application, the Charity Corps program may share the information provided on a limited basis with pro bono legal service providers.  Under no circumstances will information provided in the application be shared with the Attorney General’s Office.

Charity Corps is one of several attorney referral programs sponsored by NYSBA.  It is intended to provide pro bono assistance with nonprofit corporate law, governance and compliance matters.  It is not equipped at this time to provide general counsel services, legal assistance with other types of matters such as intellectual property or employment law questions, or assistance with major regulatory or litigation matters that may threaten the validity of the organization’s tax exemption or its ongoing corporate existence. For such referrals, please contact the New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service at 1 (800) 342-3661 or by email, lr@nysba.org.