Quality Education

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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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The Institute of Black Imagination

Consultation on IP Ownership

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit celebrating art and design by providing a consultation on IP ownership.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Institute of Black Imagination is a nonprofit that celebrates past, present, and future art and design. Their mission is to inspire, engage, and help underserved populations unleash their imagination. To this end, they are assembling a library archive, the founder hosts a podcast that incorporates Black and Brown voices around design thinking, and they are developing a post-secondary design curriculum.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Institute of Black Imagination is seeking a consultation to help them assess ownership rights in the trademark, name, and logo of the organization as some portions were registered by the founder personally, though the organization paid for the development of the logo through a grant earmarked for its creation. The organization would like to discuss the best approach so they can continue to use the IP. They would appreciate help pursuing a license or a transfer, as appropriate, and an understanding of best practices in pricing and duration should they need to pursue a license. If possible, they would appreciate assistance drafting the license itself. But this is a secondary request.

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Gravity Water

Trademark Registration

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit providing last-mile communities with resilient water infrastructure by registering trademarks for its name and logo.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Gravity Water provides schools in last-mile communities with resilient water infrastructure they can rely on throughout the future. Each of their systems is built by local community members using locally accessible materials, creating a local empowerment model that is resilient to failure over time.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Quality Education, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Gravity Water is seeking assistance registering trademarks for their name and logo.

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Gravity Water

Patent Filing

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit providing last-mile communities with resilient water infrastructure by filing a patent application.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Gravity Water provides schools in last-mile communities with resilient water infrastructure they can rely on throughout the future. Each of their systems is built by local community members using locally accessible materials, creating a local empowerment model that is resilient to failure over time.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Quality Education, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Gravity Water developed technology that allows residential and industrial buildings to operate off both rain and freshwater through an automated process. They are seeking assistance filing a patent for their design. This technology has and will continue to be used to benefit schools and low-income communities across the APAC region. However, the Gravity Water team is considering creating a hybrid entity and developing an earned income model in the U.S. private sector. Proceeds would be used to scale impact through their non-profit. At this time, the Gravity Water team has not decided whether the patent should be owned by the founder, non-profit, or prospective for-profit entity. Any guidance on this issue would be greatly appreciated, but it is a secondary request.

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TechLit Africa

Advise on Best Way to Structure Relationship Between Two Entities

Summary:

Advise a non-profit providing tech education in Kenya on the best way to structure the relationship between two entities.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: TechLit Africa is a non-profit organization that aims to end inter-generational poverty in Kenya by leveraging the digital economy. They repurpose old computers to build computer labs in rural primary schools, giving kids the opportunity to gain technical skills that will position them for family-sustaining jobs and brighter futures.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Quality Education
Legal Issue(s):

TechLit Africa has two separate entities, a 501c3 registered in Illinois and a Community Based Organization in Kenya. They fundraise and receive computer donations through the U.S. nonprofit. Then, the U.S. entity provides financial assistance and gives the computers to the Kenyan CBO. This entity carries out all of the operations on the ground in Kenya. Currently, the 501c3 and CBO are wholly independent of each other. The Tech Lit Africa team is seeking assistance determining how best to structure the relationship between these entities given their joint mission/work.

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Mirza

Tax Advice – Consider Ways to Make Caregiving Funds Tax-Free

Summary:

Help a social enterprise working to remove care affordability as a barrier for women and people of color in the workplace by advising on ways to make caregiving funds tax free.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Mirza is a social enterprise working to remove care affordability as a barrier for women and people of color in the workplace. They build, distribute and track caregiving subsidies to help employers support their working parents.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Mirza is currently operating with a model that is entirely employer self-funded, so they work with DCAP and state/federal employer tax credit limitations. They are seeking assistance thinking through whether there is a way for employers and employees to pay into a product that offers non-taxable coverage for caregiving, without burdensome limitations on use. The Mirza team would primarily like to consider whether these payments can fall under pre-existing healthcare or education/tuition buckets.

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The Education Trust

Consultation on Employee Unionization

Summary:

Advise nonprofit working to improve education opportunities for low income students on considerations in the event employees unionize.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Education Trust (Ed Trust) advocates for the high academic achievement of all students, particularly those of color or living in poverty. They work with educators, policymakers, parents, and community leaders across the country to transform schools into institutions that serve all students well.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Ed Trust is seeking a consultation to discuss factors to consider if their employees decide to unionize.

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