Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

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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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The Bail Project

Consultation on Use of AI

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit providing free bail assistance to thousands of low-income Americans by providing a consultation on the use of AI.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Bail Project provides free bail assistance to thousands of low-income Americans every year. Through our model of Community Release with Support, we provide court notifications and free transportation to court.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The team at The Bail Project is thinking about the use of AI, and particularly generative AI, within their organization. They are seeking a consultation on best practices for developing an internal policy/guidelines on how and when the use of AI may be appropriate. Importantly, they are considering the appropriateness/risk level of using AI for: (i) research; (ii) donor communications; and (iii) marketing. Their primary concerns are around privacy and intellectual property rights.

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Public Rights Project

Review Nonprofit Governing Documents

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit working to close the gap between the promise of our laws and the lived reality of marginalized communities by reviewing three of their governing documents.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: CA
About the Organization: Public Rights Project closes the gap between the promise of our laws and the lived reality of marginalized communities. They work hand in hand with local, state, and tribal governments across the U.S. to equitably enforce laws that protect people’s civil and human rights.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Public Rights Project is a 501(c)(3), incorporated in California. The Public Rights Project team is seeking assistance reviewing the organization’s: (i) Bylaws; (ii) Board Governance Document; and (iii) Fiscal Policies (the fiscal policies have been reviewed by an accountant, and the team is only seeking assistance reviewing terms that touch on board involvement and refer back to the bylaws). They are seeking this review to ensure they are in compliance with California Nonprofit Integrity Law and any other California non-profit legal requirements. These documents were drafted by attorneys, but the Public Rights Project team would appreciate a second set of review.

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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 Civics Center

Assist with Incorporation and Filing for 501c3 Status

Summary:

Assist an organization bringing nonprofit registration to high schools by helping them to incorporate and file for 501c3 status.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: US (CA)
About the Organization: The Civics Center is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing voter registration to every high school in America. Every year, four million Americans turn 18 and become eligible to vote. But less than half of them do so, because they are not registered.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Legal Issue(s):

The Civics Center has been fiscally sponsored for several years and would now like to become an independent 501(c)(3) organization. They are seeking assistance both incorporating and filing for 501(c)(3) status. The Civics Center team anticipates incorporating in CA, given the location of their employees and offices. However, they would appreciate guidance on whether this makes sense, or whether they should consider another jurisdiction. The Civics Center’s founder is an attorney, and there are attorneys on the Advisory Board.  However, they would appreciate assistance from an expert in this area as they move forward.

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Proximity for Justice

File for 501c3 Status

Summary:

Assist an organization supporting incarcerated individuals by helping them file for 501c3 status.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S. (NY based)
About the Organization: Proximity for Justice is an organization dedicated to helping incarcerated individuals receive the tools, skills, and connections they need to reenter society successfully. They bring CEOs, community leaders, victims of crime, philanthropists, law enforcement, public policy makers, academics, and formerly incarcerated people together inside prisons with those who live and work there in events designed to encourage dialogue, forge connections, and inspire change.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Proximity for Justice incorporated in NY in 2019, but has not filed for 501c3 status. They missed the initial application deadline and have been working through a fiscal sponsor. They are now seeking assistance filling for nonprofit status, including completing any necessary documentation related to missing the deadline.

 

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