Reduced Inequalities

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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 (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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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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Elemental Excelerator

Webinar/Training on Nonprofit Lobbying

Summary:

Assist a 501c3 funding climate tech deployment by providing a training on lobbying as a non-profit.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Elemental Excelerator is a nonprofit investor focused on scaling climate solutions and social impact for all communities. Elemental fills two gaps fundamental to addressing climate change: funding first-of-a-kind projects for climate technologies in real communities, and embedding equity and access into climate solutions.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Gender Equality, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Elemental Excelerator would appreciate a training on lobbying as a non-profit. Importantly, they’d like it to cover what is and is not permitted, and what they should be tracking.

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Ahaana Ventures

Consultation on Establishing Nonprofit

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise committed to investing in women founders and other historically underrepresented entrepreneurs across South Asia by advising on establishing a U.S. non-profit.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Ahaana Ventures is committed to building a more diverse, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Asia. Leveraging their entrepreneurial expertise and global networks, they provide catalytic social and financial capital, strategic advisory support and leadership coaching to women founders and other historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, enabling them to drive positive social and environmental change in their communities and beyond.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Ahaana Ventures team would like to establish a U.S. non-profit that can make early-stage impact investments in South Asia (primarily India). Any returns would be re-invested in other mission-aligned ventures. They are seeking a consultation to discuss a handful of discrete questions, including whether a 501(c)(3) structure is appropriate, and any major requirements and/or implications to consider when setting up a nonprofit for the purpose of impact investing. After the consultation, Ahaana Ventures would appreciate assistance incorporating and filing for tax exempt status. However, this is a secondary request.

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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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RE-Assist

Respond to Discrete Questions About Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Rules

Summary:

Assist a health-tech startup working to improve patient experiences and outcomes by answering discrete questions about two Centers for Medicare and Medicaid rules.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: RE-Assist is a social enterprise working to improve the lives of patients in transitions of care while improving productivity, utilization between providers, and reducing the burden of care. The RE-Assist team partners with healthcare institutions to greatly reduce patient readmissions, length of stay, and expedite the referral process to connect patients with resources and service providers suited for their unique needs.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The RE-Assist team is seeking guidance on two new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid rules: (i) The Impact Act 2019; and the (ii) Interoperability and Patient Access Rule 2020. With respect to The Impact Act, they’d like to better understand the discharge process from the hospital and to clarify whether it is the hospital’s responsibility to make sure patients are informed of post-acute services. If so, they’d like to know what details are required. With respect to the Interoperability and Patient Access Rule 2020, they’d like to understand whether skilled nursing facilities are required to make patient information accessible digitally.

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MyLÚA Health

Patent Cooperation Treaty – File National Phase Application in the U.S.

Summary:

Assist a health-tech startup providing early risk detection for pregnancy-related complications by filing the U.S. national phase application for their patent (they have already filed their Patent Cooperation Treaty application).

 

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: MyLÚA Health is an AI-powered early risk detection service that identifies and manages the risk of pregnancy-related complications. They have prioritized detection of mental health concerns first as they account for 25% of all preventable maternal mortality in the US, and provide human-centered and culturally inclusive services.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The MyLÚA Health team filed a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application, and they are now seeking assistance filing the U.S. national phase application by July 15, 2023. They would also appreciate an IP strategy consultation to discuss next steps in the nationalization process, including the most advantageous countries to file in. However, this is a secondary request.

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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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