Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Consultation (10) Contracts (6) Corporate Formation (2) Corporate Governance (1) Due Diligence (1) Employment/Labor (5) Finance/Fundraising (2) Intellectual Property (3) Nonprofit Formation (1) Nonprofit Governance (4) Tax (2) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (6)

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The Felix Organization

Consultation on Establishing a Planning Giving Program

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit enriching the lives of children living in foster care by providing a consultation on setting up a planned giving program.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S. (NY/CA)
About the Organization: The Felix Organization  was founded in 2006 by Rock ’n Roll Hall of Famer, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Emmy Award-winning casting director, Sheila Jaffe to enrich the lives of children growing up in the foster care system. Their programming includes overnight camps designed to meet the unique needs of the children, as well as year-round offerings in NY to help the children achieve their dreams.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Felix Organization would like to set up a planned giving program. They are seeking a comprehensive consultation to better understand: (i) what options are available to donors and if some are recommended over others; and (ii) what steps the Felix Organization team needs to put in place to accept/solicit donations. Most donors will be from NY/Tri-State Area and California. However, the Felix Organization plans to promote planned giving to a wider network down the road.

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GASP

Review/Update Employee Handbook

Summary:

Review and update an employee handbook on behalf of a nonprofit fighting to advance healthy air and environmental justice in Alabama.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: Alabama
About the Organization: GASP’s mission is to advance healthy air and environmental justice in the Greater-Birmingham area through education, advocacy, and collaboration. The organization strives to reduce air pollution, to educate the public on the health risks associated with poor air quality and to encourage community leaders to serve as role models for clean air and clean energy development
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action, Good Health and Well Being, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Over the past few years, the GASP team has grown from three employees to seven, and they plan to onboard two additional people. Due to this expansion, GASP’s Executive Director is seeking assistance reviewing and updating the organization’s employee handbook. All individuals live and work in Alabama.

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Solutions Journalism Network

Review/Advise on Subgrant Agreement

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit news organization by reviewing and advising on a template Subgrant 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, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

The Solutions Journalism Network team has a template Subgrant Agreement that was prepared by an attorney a few years ago. They are seeking assistance reviewing the contract and creating an internal annotated version for their staff that explains the provisions and provides guidance on whether negotiation on certain terms is acceptable.

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Solutions Journalism Network

Advise on Fair Use

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit news organization by advising on “fair use.”

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, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

Solutions Journalism Network has a public database with links to thousands of journalistic articles drafted by independent parties (news outlets around the world. Currently, for each piece, their staff draft a bespoke short summary explaining the content of the article for users, who then can click off to read the article from its original source. Drafting the summaries is very time consuming. Moving forward, they would like to simply include a short excerpt from each piece (perhaps the first paragraph). They do not have relationships with the authors and are seeking guidance on whether including these excerpts is permitted under fair use. The Solutions Journalism Network team has received initial guidance from an attorney but is seeking a second opinion.

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SmartGov

Advise on SPC and/or PBC

Summary:

Assist a government reform think-tank by advising on whether an SPC or PBC fits their needs.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: CA/DE
About the Organization: SmartGov is a think-and-do tank founded to enhance and support government reform and efficiency by leveraging cutting-edge research and catalyzing tech-powered innovations – bringing a more rigorous approach to the challenges facing governance and governments today.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The SmartGov team is considering forming either a Social Purpose Corporation or a Public Benefit Corporation. They are seeking guidance on which of these structures best fits their needs and, if possible, assistance with registration down the line.

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Taproot Earth

Consultation on Charitable Status “Tipping” and “Unusual Gifts” Exemption

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit advancing climate justice by providing a comprehensive consultation on avoiding charitable status “tipping” and the “unusual gifts” exemption.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Taproot is non-profit committed to building power and cultivating solutions among frontline communities advancing climate justice and democracy. They advance climate solutions through movement-building, law & policy strategies, global climate reparations, and equitable disaster recovery.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Taproot Earth worked with a Lex Mundi firm to establish charitable status earlier this year. Now, they are seeking guidance on receiving large gifts while avoiding charitable status “tipping,” as well as the “unusual gifts” exemption.

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