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Practical questions and expert answers from attorneys, legal practitioners, and others in the social sector. Do you have a question? Ask LawForChange at admin@lawforchange.org.

Fundraising

Our nonprofit organization would like to solicit charitable donations, but we know that we need to register with our state. Where can I find information about state registration? (2011.12.16)

May an organization engage in fundraising without having tax-exempt status from the IRS? May it receive funding without being recognized as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt? (2011.12.19)

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Governance

When should my nonprofit organization seek an independent financial audit? (2011.12.05)

Our nonprofit organization would like to solicit charitable donations, but we know that we need to register with our state. Where can I find information about state registration? (2011.12.16)

Must my organization adopt bylaws? What provisions should we include in our bylaws? (2011.12.21)

Do nonprofit organization boards typically have committees? If so, what types of committees? (2011.12.26)

When do board members have a conflict of interest? (2012.01.04)

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Impact Investing

What are impact investments and who is making these investments? (2012.01.09)

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Intellectual Property

Should our social sector organization implement internal management policies for intellectual property? (2011.12.14)

What are the types of intellectual property? (2011.12.28)

My social sector organization has been around for a while. What should we do to better manage the intellectual property (IP) we have collected? (2012.01.11)

What types of patents does the USPTO issue? Who can file for a patent? (2012.01.23)

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Legal Structures and Corporate Forms

What are some factors that I should consider when starting my organization and deciding whether to use a for-profit or nonprofit corporate structure? (2011.12.09)

What should my social sector organization know about the new forms of organization? (2012.01.13)

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Lobbying and Advocacy

When, if ever, must my social sector organization register to engage in lobbying activities? (2011.12.07)

If my social sector organization (which is a nonprofit with tax-exempt status) receives grant funding to engage in lobbying activities for or against state or federal legislation, may we engage in lobbying activities? (2012.01.16)

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Operating and Giving Internationally

What is the OFAC list, where do I find it, and what importance does it have in my organization's international operations? (2011.12.23)

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Tax Status

May an organization engage in fundraising without having tax-exempt status from the IRS? May it receive funding without being recognized as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt? (2011.12.19)

How do I avoid having my organization's tax-exempt status revoked this year? What forms must I file to stay in compliance with the IRS? (2011.12.30)

My organization's tax-exempt status was revoked last year. Can the IRS undo the revocation? What do I have to do this tax year? (2012.01.06)

If my social sector organization (which is a nonprofit with tax-exempt status) receives grant funding to engage in lobbying activities for or against state or federal legislation, may we engage in lobbying activities? (2012.01.16)

What is the IRS Form 990? What changes were made to the 2011 form? Does my organization need to complete one? (2012.01.30)

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Volunteers and Employment

Our social sector organization wants to hire someone temporarily for the season. What type of employee is this person and what laws should we be aware of? (2011.12.12)

If my social sector organization plans to hire an unpaid intern, what legal employment issues should we consider? (2012.01.02)

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