|
For Release: Immediate
November 30, 2012
Contact: Lise Bang-Jensen
Director, Media Services and Public Affairs
Lbang-jensen@nysba.org
518-487-5530
Office of Attorney General
New York City Press Office / 212-416-8060
Albany Press Office / 518-473-5525
nyag.pressoffice@ag.ny.gov
ATTORNEY GENERAL SCHNEIDERMAN AND STATE
BAR PRESIDENT JAMES ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF PROGRAM MATCHING NONPROFITS
WITH VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS
Charity Corps' Second Year Launching;
Nonprofits Encouraged To Apply
Pro Bono Attorneys Will Continue To Assist
Nonprofits In Need Of Legal Assistance During Challenging Economic
Times
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and New York State Bar
Association President Seymour W. James, Jr. today announced the
expansion of Charity Corps, a joint initiative between the New York
State Attorney General's Office and the New York State Bar Association
to improve nonprofit governance and legal compliance. Charity Corps
matches volunteer attorneys with nonprofit organizations in need of
legal counsel on matters involving corporate law, governance and
compliance with fundraising requirements.
Charity Corps is completing a successful pilot year. Volunteer
attorneys were provided to 56 nonprofits across New York State with
missions that include social services, community development,
health-related causes, veterans’ aid, the arts and environmental
protection. In 2013, Charity Corps expects to expand the program to
serve up to 100 additional eligible nonprofit organizations.
“In these challenging economic times and in the wake of Sandy,
we are committed to ensuring that nonprofits that are so critical to the
health of our local communities and to our state continue their
important work,” Attorney General Schneiderman said.
“Charity Corps provides these groups with the necessary legal
counsel they otherwise cannot afford, helping them to improve compliance
while carrying out their missions. I thank President Seymour James and
the New York State Bar Association for their partnership and support of
this initiative on behalf of New York’s nonprofits and the
communities they serve. I also thank the lawyers who have so generously
volunteered their time.”
“Charity Corps has been hailed by participating nonprofits and
attorney volunteers and studied for emulation outside of New York State.
Thanks to the help of attorneys to assist them with legal and compliance
issues, participating organizations are better able to achieve their
missions,” said State Bar Association President Seymour W. James,
Jr. (The Legal Aid Society in New York City). “At the same time,
attorneys have found a meaningful new opportunity to use their legal
skills to assist worthy community organizations in need.”
Charity Corps is overseen by a Leadership Committee composed of
members of the State Bar Association and representatives of legal
assistance programs. It is chaired by Lesley Rosenthal of New York City,
General Counsel of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The
Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, led by Bureau Chief Jason R.
Lilien, is supporting the initiative by providing training and guidance
to volunteer attorneys and nonprofits.
Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance from Charity Corps must
apply by January 15, 2013. To be eligible, an organization must have
501(c)(3) nonprofit status and demonstrate it cannot afford counsel.
Nonprofits and attorneys can get an application form and additional
information by visiting www.nysba.org/CharityCorps.
Participation in Charity Corps is one of many efforts by Attorney
General Schneiderman’s office to assist nonprofits and improve
governance and compliance by nonprofits. Last year he formed the
Leadership Committee for Nonprofit Revitalization and charged it with
making recommendations to ease burdens on nonprofits and improve their
governance and accountability. The committee's report, issued in
February, is posted at www.ag.ny.gov.
The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest
voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in
1876.
-30-
| 
News Center
