Partnerships to achieve the Goals

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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 (4) Contracts (8) Corporate Governance (1) Data Privacy (1) Employment/Labor (1) Intellectual Property (6) Nonprofit Governance (4) Tax (1) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (6)

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Villgro Innovations Fund

Consultation on Establishing a Nonprofit in the U.S.

Summary:

Assist a non-profit incubating social enterprises in India by advising on considerations when establishing a non-profit in the U.S.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Villgro Innovations Foundation is a non-profit organization incubating innovation-based for-profit social enterprises in India working in agriculture, health, climate action and gender. To date, they have worked with over 350 early-stage social enterprises and impacted millions of lives.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Villgro Innovations Foundation (“Villgro”) is a nonprofit organization incubating innovation-based for-profit social enterprises in India working in agriculture, health, climate action and gender. One of their primary goals is to help facilitate greater access to capital for these innovators. However, as a non-profit in India, they are limited in their ability to operate and mobilize capital outside of the country, and there isn’t much flexibility to work in financing. After much consideration, they have decided it is in their best interest to establish a nonprofit/charity and/or hybrid entity in the United States or the UK. They are seeking a comprehensive consultation in the U.S. to discuss issues including: (i) what structure best fits their needs; (ii) registration requirements; (iii) whether this type of entity will allow them flexibility to deploy financial instruments (e.g., convertible notes); and (iv) any major administrative burdens they should consider (e.g., conflict of interest considerations). It would be helpful (although it is not necessary) if the firm also has a presence in the UK. The Villgro team would like to have a related consultation in the UK, to ultimately determine which jurisdiction is a better fit for the organization and their future plans.

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MoringaConnect/True Foundry

Consultation on Operating a Hybrid Entity

Summary:

Help a social enterprise supporting farmers in Ghana by providing a consultation on operating a hybrid entity.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: MoringaConnect is a social enterprise that creates transformational wealth for women and farming communities in Ghana. They provide a dedicated agricultural extension officer, training, organic seeds and fertilizer, and financing as needed to enable over 5000 small farmers throughout Ghana to kickstart their moringa farms. Most importantly, they provide a guaranteed market for the leaves and seeds they produce. These seeds are then turned into oil, tea, and powder that is sold around the world. MoringaConnect has two subdisiaries in Ghana, and recently established two nonprofits in Ghana and a 501c3 in the United States. The 501c3, True Foundry, is helping African founders build sustainable companies and flourishing communities.
Legal Entity Type: Hybrid (nonprofit + for-profit affiliates)
SDG(s):Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

MoringaConnect has two subsidiaries, and also recently established a 501c3 in the United States, as well as two nonprofits in Ghana. They are seeking a comprehensive consultation to discuss best practices for operating their hybrid entity. Down the line, they will also need assistance drafting an Operating Agreement. However, this is a secondary request.

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The Community Grocer

Advise on Relationship Between Entities/Draft Operating Agreement

Summary:

Assist a social enterprise combatting nutritional inequalities by advising on its relationship with another nonprofit and drafting an Operating Agreement.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Community Grocer (TCG) is a nonprofit working to combat nutritional inequalities. Their mission is to reinvent the corner store by creating innovative community-driven retail access points to nutrition. Currently, the language of the Farm Bill (which governs SNAP) does not allow for the sale of hot and prepared foods in exchange for SNAP benefits and prohibits a cooking model where retailers can sell eligible raw foods and swap them for cooked food on premises. This leaves many people without access to fresh, healthy, meals. To solve this problem, the TCG team is working in concert with an independent non-profit, Resident Action Committee II (RAC2). TCG has purchased and is retrofitting a building for their pilot program in Philadelphia. TCG will offer an all-day menu of meal items sold as raw ingredient recipe kits eligible with SNAP benefits. RAC2 will operate a kitchen separately in the rear half of the building. TCG customers will thus find themselves spatially able to easily transform their SNAP-eligible ingredients sold at TCG into delicious, healthy, and empowering meals.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

The Community Grocer (TCG) team would appreciate guidance as they think through how best to structure the relationship between TCG and Resident Action Committee II (RAC2), as well as assistance drafting an Operating Agreement between the non-profits. Although they are working in concert, they are independent entities. Among the issues to address are how best to grant money to RAC2 to operate the kitchen and pay their staff, as well as terms for subletting space in their building for the kitchen.

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Animation Nights New York

Review Terms & Conditions for Artists

Summary:

Assist an organization elevating creators by reviewing the terms and conditions artists agree to when submitting their work.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Animation Nights New York (ANNY) is a monthly screening event and annual festival based in NYC. They show high caliber animated short films, virtual reality animation experiences, and interactive games from all around the world. There is no project submission fee for artists and screening events are pay-what-you-will. The ANNY team is committed to elevating creators, supporting/enriching the community, and promoting critical thinking through curated art. In addition to Animation Nights, ANNY Exchange connects creators with opportunities to show their work.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The ANNY team is seeking assistance reviewing the current terms that artists agree to when submitting their work. They would like to ensure that it accurately captures their needs, and provides them with the appropriate licenses to both display and share the work.

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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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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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