Contracts

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Consultation (6) Contracts (9) Data Privacy (1) Employment/Labor (2) Intellectual Property (5) Nonprofit Formation (1) Nonprofit Governance (2) Regulatory (1) Tax (1) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (5) Webinars/Trainings (1)

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Diáfano Learning Systems

Review Independent Contractor Agreement/Advise on Related Employment Law

Summary:

Assist a women and minority owned language learning startup by reviewing its Independent Contractor Agreement and advising on related employment law.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: NY
About the Organization: Diáfano is a 100% woman and minority-owned startup that uses a data-driven approach to break down communication barriers within organizations by providing live group language classes. They not only teach languages, but also champion language and cultural equity in the workplace. By way of example, they advocate for supporting and creating language programs for any limited English proficient employees.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Quality Education
Legal Issue(s):

Diáfano is seeking assistance reviewing their template Independent Contractor Agreement. This agreement is used with US-based language teachers that teach Diáfano’s courses. The Diáfano team would appreciate guidance on any red flags/things to look out for when working with these individuals. Importantly, the Diáfano team wants to ensure none of their actions would cause the teachers to be considered employees and trigger any additional requirements/benefits under employment/labor law.

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Diáfano Learning Systems

Review Two Substantially Similar Master Services Agreements

Summary:

Assist a women and minority owned language learning startup by reviewing two substantially similar Master Services Agreements.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Diáfano is a 100% woman and minority-owned startup that uses a data-driven approach to break down communication barriers within organizations by providing live group language classes. They not only teach languages, but also champion language and cultural equity in the workplace. By way of example, they advocate for supporting and creating language programs for any limited English proficient employees.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Quality Education
Legal Issue(s):

Diáfano is seeking assistance reviewing two substantially similar template Master Services Agreements. They are both B2B contracts. One is an annual contract for Diáfano’s  services. The second is a quarterly contract for Diáfano’s pilot program(s). The Diáfano team wants to ensure the terms are fair and as streamlined as possible, but also adequately protect the organization.

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Blue Butterfly

Review Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement

Summary:

Assist an educational organization devoted to uplifting young Haitian children by reviewing a fiscal sponsorship agreement.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Blue Butterfly is a non-profit educational organization devoted to inspiring a generation of learners through the power of engaging educational media. Working with local educators, producers, artists, and researchers, Blue Butterfly catalyzes positive change in children’s attitudes, knowledge, and behavior. With local partners in Haiti, Blue Butterfly produces Lakou Kajou, an acclaimed animated video series and community engagement program for young Haitian children that builds literacy, math, science, and prosocial skills.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Gender Equality, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Blue Butterfly has been fiscally sponsored by the same organization since their founding in 2013. The fiscal sponsor recently revised the fiscal sponsorship agreement (FSA) that governs their relationship as a fiscally sponsored project. The Blue Butterfly team is now seeking assistance reviewing the new terms and identifying any potential red flags before signing.

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Solid as Gold Consulting

Review Template Management and Distribution Contracts

Summary:

Assist a startup music and film production company that offers opportunities to minorities and refugees by reviewing their template Management and Distribution contracts.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Solid as Gold Consulting is a music and film production company with its own distribution technology. Importantly, they work across 60 countries and provide opportunities for minority and refugees groups to develop professional careers.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Solid as Gold Consulting is seeking assistance reviewing their template Management and Distribution agreements for use with artists. Both were drafted by the Harvard Law Clinic, and the Solid as Gold Consulting team is seeking a second set of eyes to ensure the contracts adequately cover their needs.

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Avol, Inc.

Review/Revise Contract Setting Forth Terms of Investment in Exchange for Services

Summary:

Urgent – Assist a startup building autonomous electric aircraft by reviewing a contract setting forth terms of an investment in exchange for using a specified service provider.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Avol builds hyper efficient autonomous electric aircraft for use by logistics carriers, both reducing costs and harmful emissions.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Avol plans to enter into an agreement, whereby they receive an investment in exchange for agreeing to contract with a specified service provider. They are seeking assistance reviewing the terms of the agreement and building it out if necessary. This is a time sensitive request, and the Avol team would like to complete the project by 6/9 at the latest.

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Solutions Journalism Network

Draft Template Partnership Agreement

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit news organization by drafting a template Partnership Agreement.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Solutions Journalism Network is a nonprofit leading a global shift in journalism, focused on what the news misses most often: how people are trying to solve problems and what we can learn from their successes or failures.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being
Legal Issue(s):

The team at Solutions Journalism Network is seeking assistance building out their template Partnership Agreement. Solutions Journalism Network typically uses this agreement with organizations they work with to manage subgrants. For context, they sometimes pay these partner organizations for their assistance.

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Designing Justice + Designing Spaces

Guidance on Transitioning Program

Summary:

Provide guidance to a non-profit architecture and real estate development firm as they transition one of their programs to a separate non-profit.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S. (CA-based nonprofit)
About the Organization: Designing Justice + Designing Spaces is a non-profit architecture and real estate development firm with a mission to end mass incarceration. Their work seeks to counter the societal inequities evident in the dominant architectural models of courthouses and prisons, and they do so through the creation of new prototypes such as peacemaking centers, transitional housing, and mobile villages.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Designing Justice + Designing Spaces team developed a program called Pop-Up Village, which brings together curated programming, offered out of customized buses, vans, pop-up shops, and other types of mobile architecture, to curate a one stop shop of community resources, for community by community on formerly blighted locations. Because Designing Justice focuses on design and development rather than event production, and due to the growth and operational needs of Pop-Up Village, they are now transitioning the program to Compass & Keys. Compass & Keys is a newly formed 501(c)(3) with limited cash flow, and Pop-Up Village is their first and only initiative. Designing Justice has provided a variety of supports to Compass & Keys, to ensure the continued success of Pop-Up Village. As the more established entity, they currently serve as the lead when applying for grants and managing the financials and cash flow of the program and pay Compass & Keys for their services. Eventually, they’d like Compass & Keys to become fully self-sufficient. However, in the interim, they are seeking a comprehensive consultation to: (i) determine how best to structure their relationship with Pop-Up Village (they envision a fiscal sponsor-like arrangement); and (ii) discuss whether they can structure the relationship so that they are only supporting the Pop-Up Village program – with design services, rather than Compass & Keys as a whole (which will be particularly important if they expand their offerings). After the consultation, the Designing Justice team would greatly appreciate assistance drafting the contract(s) governing the parties’ relationship. However, this is a secondary request.

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Climate Resilient Communities

Review MOU

Summary:

Assist a non-profit empowering community voices to implement equitable climate solutions by reviewing a template MOU for use with partners that will provide educational programming.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Climate Resilient Communities (CRC) is a California community-based organization empowering community voices to implement equitable climate solutions for unity, resilience, and justice. Their outreach cultivates environmental awareness while giving local residents in under-resourced communities a voice in proactive resilience planning and adaptation.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Climate Resilient Communities launched their new Youth Climate Collective on April 29th. This program provides opportunities for underserved youth in East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, and Belle Haven to explore and experience firsthand the benefits of implementing climate adaptation strategies. They are partnering with other community-based organizations that will provide educational resources and programming through a series of 12 hands-on workshops and field trips. The Climate Resilient Communities team has drafted an MOU for use with these organizations and is seeking assistance reviewing the terms.

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RADIKAL

Explain Provisions in Grant Agreement

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise engaged in micro-lending in Haiti by reviewing the terms of a Grant Agreement.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: RADIKAL is a social enterprise focused on creating opportunities for Haitian women living in poverty by investing in micro-enterprises.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
  • Visit RADIKAL
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

RADIKAL recently signed a Grant Agreement. They are seeking assistance walking through the agreement to ensure they understand the provisions and to identify any red flags.

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