Quality Education

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If you are interested in a matter, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing Isis Bous and Allison Laubach through the “Ask About This Matter” button on the details page or directly (ibous@lexmundiprobono.org; alaubach@lexmundiprobono.org) and let us know which project(s) interests you. We will place matches with Lex Mundi member firms on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Consultation (6) Contracts (6) Corporate Governance (1) Intellectual Property (4) Nonprofit Formation (3) Nonprofit Governance (3) Real Estate (1) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (2)

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RG Foods

Consultation and Draft Template Franchising Agreement

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit creating food systems rooted in justice by providing a consultation and drafting a template Franchising Agreement.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: RG Foods is a nonprofit transferring power back to the people to create a local food system rooted in justice. They work to enhance the health and prosperity of Northeast Oklahoma through several food-based community revitalization programs that support their local food system as well as expand access to fresh, quality foods in the Tulsa area and beyond.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

RG Foods has developed Grocery Boxes. A Grocery Box is a mini grocery store made out of two shipping containers that enables people living in food deserts to buy fresh and healthy food. The RG Foods team has the infrastructure in place and has drafted a comprehensive term sheet to franchise the Grocery Boxes. Now, they are seeking a comprehensive consultation to discuss major legal issues to consider when franchising, as well as assistance turning their term sheet into a template Franchising Agreement. They anticipate moving forward with a franchising model in Q2 of 2024.

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Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke

Draft Lease Agreement

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit educating youth in Hawaii by drafting a lease agreement.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: Hawaii
About the Organization: Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke provides vocational training and hands-on, place- and culture-based educational opportunities to the youth of Hana in the fields of building and construction, agriculture, and culinary.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

One of the many services Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke offers is building tiny homes or rooms attached to existing, multi-generational homes specifically for elders so they can age safely and comfortably in the community, where many were born and raised. The Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke team is building a tiny mobile trailer home for an elder in need (he has lived in his car on family land for more than ten years). For the first time, they are considering keeping this as an asset of the organization and leasing the structure to the elder–free of charge, but with conditions/expectations–so that once he sees it through, it can be returned to Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke to be utilized for the next community member in need. They are now seeking assistance drafting the lease agreement with this individual.

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Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke

Review MOU

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit educating youth in Hawaii by reviewing an MOU with a local school.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: Hawaii
About the Organization: Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke provides vocational training and hands-on, place- and culture-based educational opportunities to the youth of Hana in the fields of building and construction, agriculture, and culinary.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke has worked with Hāna High & Elementary School for the past 23 years. They have a great relationship, and Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke is headquartered on the school’s campus. Now, for the first time, they are signing an MOU with the school and Department of Education to memorialize their relationship. The Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke team drafted the MOU based on another agreement that the school recently signed with another community partner. The school has the draft and is expected to return with comments this week. The Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke team is seeking assistance reviewing the comments/terms and finalizing the agreement. They are hoping to receive assistance as soon as possible (understanding that the Thanksgiving holiday might cause some delay).

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Fugees Family

Guidance on IP Licensing

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit advancing educational justice for refugees by advising on whether an IP license is needed to use teaching curriculum.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Fugees Family is a national non-profit organization committed to advancing educational justice for refugee and immigrant youth. They are the only network of U.S. schools dedicated to refugee and newcomer education.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):End Poverty, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Fugees Family is developing a VR teacher training and student learning platform. Teachers can practice their lessons/curriculum using the VR, and students are taught through avatars. Fugees Family is seeking assistance determining if/when they need a licensing agreement to use the curriculum. If they do need an agreement, they would appreciate assistance drafting the template licensing agreement.

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Fugees Family

Advise on Relationship with Software Developer

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit dedicated to advancing educational justice for refugees by advising on ownership of intellectual property and how best to structure a relationship with their software developer.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Fugees Family is a national non-profit organization committed to advancing educational justice for refugee and immigrant youth. They are the only network of U.S. schools dedicated to refugee and newcomer education.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):End Poverty, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Fugees Family is developing a VR teacher training and student learning platform. The Fugees Family team is working with an outside software developer, and they have a good relationship. They have completed the first module and are now in discussions about next steps. The software developer would like to receive some stake in the VR product. Fugees Family and the developer are considering options ranging from sharing royalties to spinning off a new jointly owned for-profit entity that owns the IP. The Fugees Family team is seeking a comprehensive consultation to talk through their options and discuss best next steps. In the event they do not decide to spin off a new entity, they would also appreciate assistance drafting a contract that sets forth the terms of their relationship with the developer to ensure that Fugees Family is protected. The developer has some contracts they have used with other organizations in the past. These contracts can, but do not need, to be used as starting points.

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The Edible Schoolyard Project

Consultation on Spinning Off a Project Into a New Entity

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit transforming education through organic gardens by providing a consultation on considerations when spinning off a project into a new entity.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: CA
About the Organization: The Edible Schoolyard Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the transformation of public education by using organic school gardens, kitchens, and cafeterias to teach both academic subjects and the values of nourishment, stewardship, and community.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Quality Education, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

A project under Edible Schoolyard will be spinning off in the coming months. It will be a new entity with a separate board and leadership. The Executive Director of Edible Schoolyard is seeking a comprehensive consultation to discuss what key considerations/things she should be thinking about as she oversees this process.

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The Learning Accelerator

Consultation on Re-Domiciling a Nonprofit

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit accelerating learning in K-12 education by advising on re-domiciling their organization.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S. (CA-based nonprofit)
About the Organization: The Learning Accelerator (TLA) is a national nonprofit building an education field where practitioners, leaders, and policymakers learn faster and change systems together to ensure every child gets what they need to reach their full potential. TLA accelerates individual, organizational, and sector learning to transform K-12 education.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The Learning Accelerator (TLA) is currently incorporated/registered in CA. However, TLA no longer has a major presence in the state. Their work and staff are currently decentralized, and they would like to re-domicile in another jurisdiction. They are seeking a consultation to discuss: (i) whether this is feasible; (ii) what the process would entail; and (iii) what state best suits their needs (e.g., has less onerous requirements than CA). If possible, after the consultation, they would also appreciate assistance updating their bylaws and related documents. However, this is a secondary request.

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GNYPWD

Establish a 501c3

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise providing an accessible and inclusive platform to young people with disabilities by establishing a 501c3.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S. (open to suggestions on where best to incorporate)
About the Organization: GNYPWD provides an accessible and inclusive platform to young people with disabilities around the world to help them learn, develop their capacity, find meaningful opportunities and resources, and advocate for their rights and lead disability-focused movements. They do this through their tech platform and community programs.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Currently, GNYPWD has a for-profit entity in the US that owns their technology, and the organization uses a fiscal sponsor for tax-exempt activities (e.g., upskilling and career development offerings). Because they are growing and applying for larger grants, they would now like to establish their own 501c3. They are seeking assistance incorporating/filing for non-profit status. Additionally, they would appreciate guidance on how best to structure the relationship between their for-profit and the new non-profit entity.

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