Gender Equality

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Advocacy/Legislation (2) Consultation (12) Contracts (4) Corporate Governance (1) Data Privacy (4) Employment/Labor (3) Finance/Fundraising (1) Intellectual Property (10) Nonprofit Governance (2) Regulatory (4) Research (3) Risk Management (2) Tax (1) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (9) Webinars/Trainings (1)

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RADIKAL

Advise on Protecting Intellectual Property

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise empowering women in Haiti through micro finance and business development by advising on how best to protect their intellectual property.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: RADIKAL is a social enterprise empowering women in Haiti through micro finance and business development.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Responsible Consumption and Production, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

RADIKAL is seeking a strategy consultation with an attorney in the United States to discuss how best to protect their intellectual property. They are considering: (i) trademarking their brands/logos/taglines; (ii) registering copyrights for their software and technical drawings; and (iii) pursuing trade secret protection for certain internal processes and systems. The RADIKAL team would like to better understand: (i) how to prioritize protecting their IP; (ii) whether the protections listed above are possible/appropriate; (iii) and to discuss the best path forward.

Ultimately, should they move forward, assistance with any of the registrations would be greatly appreciated. But this is a secondary request.

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Catalyst Now

Review Privacy Policy and/or Terms & Conditions

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit uniting social innovators to advance the UN Sustainable Development goals by reviewing the Privacy Policy for their website and/or drafting the Terms & Conditions for their membership application.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Catalyst Now (formerly Catalyst 2030) is a dynamic global movement of social innovators transforming systems and driving sustainable change to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals worldwide. They unite social innovators, social entrepreneurs, civic society, funders, private sector leaders, academia, and governments to create lasting systemic change through collaborative action.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

Catalyst Now was a program under a Dutch nonprofit for many years and has recently become an independent 501(c)(3) in the United States.

They are now seeking assistance reviewing the Privacy Policy for their website (which also covers signing up for their newsletter) to ensure that it complies with U.S. law. While the non-profit is based in the United States, users will be from all over the world. They would also appreciate guidance/assistance on best practices for ensuring compliance for a global audience.

The website also includes a call to action for organizations to become a member of the Catalyst Now network. This leads to a multi-step application form. The Catalyst Now team is also seeking assistance drafting the Terms & Conditions associated with the member application process.

If an attorney cannot assist with both pieces, assistance with either would be greatly appreciated.

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Right to Be

IP Consultation On How to Protect Methodology

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit fighting harassment and discrimination by providing an IP consultation to discuss how best to protect their bystander intervention methodology.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Right to Be is a nonprofit working to build safe, inclusive public spaces by transforming the culture that perpetuates harassment and discrimination. They carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Right to Be has developed a bystander intervention methodology known as “The 5Ds of Bystander Intervention.” It has gained notoriety in recent years, and several organizations have used the methodology without proper credit. The Right to Be team also has several major upcoming projects based on the methodology.

The Right to Be team is now seeking a consultation with an IP attorney to discuss how best to protect their methodology going forward. They are planning to register a trademark for the name, have some underlying materials copyrighted, and have some IP protections included in their template contracts. They are seeking guidance from an attorney to confirm they’ve adequately covered all possible avenues of IP protection.

Should the attorney recommend any additional protections, the Right to Be team would appreciate assistance with the implementation/filings. However, this is a secondary request.

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Platform for Labour Action International

Draft Affiliation Agreement

Summary:

Assist an organization working to provide legal aid to marginalized workers in Uganda by drafting an affiliation agreement between their U.S. and Ugandan entities.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: United States (Ugandan review will be addressed separately)
About the Organization: Platform for Labor Action (PLA) is a well-established Ugandan organization dedicated to providing legal aid to marginalized workers earning under $160/month and stopping child labour. In 2023, Platform for Labour Action International was established in the United States to support PLA’s mission through research, future fundraising, and expanded operations.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education
Legal Issue(s):

Platform for Labor Action (PLA) is a well-established Ugandan organization dedicated to providing legal aid to marginalized workers earning under $160/month and stopping child labor. In 2023, PLA International was established in the United States to support PLA’s mission through research, future fundraising, and expanded operations, specifically as a U.S. 501(c)(3) entity.

The PLA team is seeking assistance drafting an affiliation agreement between the U.S. and Ugandan entities to formalize the relationship, clarify roles, and establish proper governance and funding protocols. This agreement is crucial for ensuring PLA International maintains its 501(c)(3) status, particularly regarding IRS compliance, fundraising regulations, international grantmaking protocols, and organizational governance, including proper documentation of fund transfers, OFAC compliance, and intellectual property provisions.

 

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Miller Center for Global Impact

Webinar on Navigating US Executive Actions

Summary:

Deliver a webinar on how social ventures and nonprofits can prepare for possible executive actions that may disrupt funding, international partnerships, and compliance for organizations working in climate, migration, or global justice.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Miller Center accelerates global, innovation-based entrepreneurship in service to humanity. Its strategic focus is on poverty eradication through its three areas of work: The Global Social Benefit Institute, Impact Capital, and Education and Action Research.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

We are seeking a volunteer to lead a webinar for social impact leaders on the potential legal and financial risks posed by anticipated U.S. executive actions. While none of the proposed measures are law yet, developments in U.S. policy circles indicate serious discussions around: (1) revoking tax-exempt status from organizations supporting or funding specified work; (2) banning cross-border donations; (3) labeling migrant aid groups as terror-affiliated; and (4) increasing IRS scrutiny on progressive or foreign-aligned donors. The webinar should help mission-driven organizations understand the legal implications and offer proactive steps to mitigate potential threats.

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