Volunteers and Interns

Many social sector organizations receive significant and necessary support from volunteers and interns. Depending on the size and needs of your organization, you may consider working with volunteers and interns to help support your work. The resources compiled here will help guide you in deciding when and how to engage with volunteers and interns and how to stay compliant with the laws related to the engagement of volunteers and interns.

Get the big picture.  An overview of federal employment law and a Q&A on making sure unpaid summer internships are legal.
 

Consider the options.  U.S. Department of Labor regulations on volunteers, unpaid interns, and paid student internships, as well as state-specific information on employment law.
 

Get started.  Legal considerations on engaging volunteers from the Charity Lawyer blog.
 

Compare notes.  Discuss these and other issues with experts and other practitioners in the LawForChange group on LinkedIn.
 

Go further.  The downside of unpaid internships, the difference between volunteers and employees, and the strict limits that apply to the use of unpaid interns.
 

Related Legal Topics

Intellectual Property. Practically everyone in the world today uses intellectual property or objects that embody IP — intangible assets that can't be perceived with the senses, yet comprise real value for those who own or use them. The materials here are intended to help your organization use IP rights to achieve its goals.
 

Legal Structures. The legal structure you choose for your social sector organization is a tool for accomplishing your goals. Depending on your aims, each form of organization has advantages and disadvantages. The materials here will help you to explore this important topic.
 

Revoked Tax-Exempt Status. The IRS recently revoked the tax-exempt status of 279,595 organizations. We've compiled resources that address why these organizations lost their status, how an organization can regain its status, and how an organization can avoid jeopardizing its status in the future.