Quality Education

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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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Aim High for High School

Review Employee Handbook

Summary:

Help a nonprofit offering free summer enrichment programs to low-income students by reviewing their employee handbook.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: CA
About the Organization: Aim High for High School offers transformative summer enrichment programs that empower middle-schoolers from low-income neighborhoods, igniting their love of learning and yielding real results – 98% of Aim High alumni graduate high school and go on to college.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The Aim High team is seeking assistance reviewing their employee handbook. All of their employees live and work in California.

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Aim High for High School

Review Template MOU for Use of School Sites

Summary:

Help a nonprofit offering free summer enrichment programs to low-income students by reviewing their template MOU for host school sites.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: CA
About the Organization: Aim High for High School offers transformative summer enrichment programs that empower middle-schoolers from low-income neighborhoods, igniting their love of learning and yielding real results – 98% of Aim High alumni graduate high school and go on to college.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Aim High for High School hosts their free summer programs at several different school sites in California. They are seeking assistance reviewing/updating their template MOU, which outlines the terms of the relationship(s) and use of the schools’ facilities. Additionally, if possible, they would appreciate guidance on what concessions they can make and/or any provisions that should not be negotiable.

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The Peninsula College Fund

Advise on Classifying Employees for Overtime

Summary:

Help a non-profit supporting low-income, first-generation college students by advising on employee classifications for overtime.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: California
About the Organization: The Peninsula College Fund supports low-income, first-generation students in their quest for a college degree and meaningful employment post-college.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The Peninsula College Fund has 14 full time employees, all located in California. Currently, employees who work beyond 8 hours a day are given comp time, rather than overtime pay. They hope to change that starting at the beginning of their new fiscal year (July 1, 2023). The organization’s HR team is seeking assistance with the process of classifying exempt and non-exempt employees for overtime. Also, they would appreciate assistance understanding the consequences of this shift. For example, will they be at risk of owing backpay? How can they make this transition as clear and seamless for employees? Finally, if possible, the Peninsula College Fund team would also appreciate a review of their employee handbook. The Executive Director/HR manager is an attorney and recently had help redlining the current version from a former colleague. However, they would love a review by a qualified attorney. If a volunteer cannot assist with both pieces, assistance with either one of these projects would be very valuable.

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Haitian Education & Leadership Program

Assistance with Nonprofit Merger

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit serving Haitian students by supporting the organization through a merger.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Haitian Education & Leadership Program (HELP) is a nonprofit working to create, through merit and needs based scholarships, a community of young professionals and leaders who will promote a more just society in Haiti. In addition to paying students’ college tuition, HELP provides a wide array of programs/services that are typically not offered at higher education institutions in Haiti. These include, without limitation, dormitory housing, academic advising and personal counseling, access to a computer lab and library, a Citizenship & Leadership curriculum, and a Career Services program with internship and job placement services at local institutions.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Over two years ago, Quisqueya University, a top private Haitian university, approached HELP and opened discussions for a potential merger. Seventy percent of HELP students already attend the school. But, through the merger, HELP would be able to expand their programs/offerings, including their Career Services program, to all students enrolled at Quisqueya University, where the enrollment for the 21/22 school year was over 2,000. HELP’s goal for an eventual merger is to create Haiti’s first liberal arts and sciences university in Haiti. The project has attracted the interest of the Kellogg Foundation and Bard College, among others. Despite having slowed considerably in recent months, due diligence document-sharing and conversations continue. HELP used grant money to pay attorneys for the due diligence process. However, the grant ended in July 2022 and can no longer be used to pay for legal fees. Given the importance of their mission and financial circumstances, the HELP team is seeking pro bono support to assist with the merger.

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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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Creating Economic Opportunities for Women (C.E.O. Women)

Advise on the Use/Ownership of IP

Summary:

Advise the founder of a nonprofit that created economic opportunities for low-income immigrant and refugee women on the use/ownership of IP.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Creating Economic Opportunities for Women (C.E.O. Women) was a non-profit organization founded and ran from 2000 – 2011, to address systemic poverty and lack of income mobility faced by low-income immigrant and refugee women in the San Francisco Bay Area. The mission of C.E.O. Women was to create economic opportunities for low-income immigrant and refugee women through teaching English, communications and entrepreneurship skills. During their tenure they provided over 2,000 women from 44 different countries with training, support and capital to start their own small businesses.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

During the life of C.E.O. Women, the team developed a program to exponentially reach more women through the use of technology and media. The program, named Grand Café, is an educational soap opera series, designed to teach English for entrepreneurship and business skills to low-income immigrant and refugee women. Six of the eighteen episodes were produced under the non-profit. When the non-profit dissolved, the IP and content of the program went to C.E.O. Women’s local community bank as collateral on a line of credit the organization still owed. The bank recently released it back to C.E.O. Women’s founder, who would now like to revive and distribute the content of the program. She is now seeking legal support to help her understand and structure how to set up and manage the IP of the program, given it was funded by grants and the original non-profit no longer exists.

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Manodharma

Draft Memorandum of Understanding

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit that supports educators/entrepreneurs across the US and India by drafting an MOU.

Referred by:

  • Other
Jurisdictions: US
About the Organization: Manodharma is an integrating organization that enables educators and entrepreneurs in the US and India to work together to scale and sustain social good. By way of example, Manodharma partnered with another US – based nonprofit to distribute 450,000 books to children in need across India.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
  • Visit Manodharma
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The founder of Manodharma has developed a relationship with an organization that created a mobile app to teach English, math, and job skills. They plan to work together to bring the solution to individuals across India. Manodharma’s founder is seeking assistance drafting an MOU sets forth the terms of their relationship/work.

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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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