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Partnerships to achieve the Goals

Please Treat the Information in the Digest as Confidential. Do Not Circulate Outside of the Lex Mundi Network.

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.

You can view all matter summaries on the “Digest” page(s). To view matters by legal need, select the category of interest. See details of individual matters via the “Read More” link in a matter. To view all details of all available matters, choose “View All”.

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Consultation (4) Contracts (4) Corporate Formation (1) Data Privacy (1) Employment/Labor (1) Finance/Fundraising (1) Intellectual Property (4) Nonprofit Formation (2) Nonprofit Governance (1) Regulatory (2) Research (1) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (3)

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NaYa Limited

Consultation on Structuring New US Entity

Summary:

Assist an organization improving healthcare access and affordability in Africa by providing a consultation on the best way to structure/set up an entity in the U.S.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: NaYa is a digital platform that addresses the critical challenge of healthcare access and affordability in Africa. They help patients with chronic diseases access more than 300 medications, protecting over 250 patients in urban and rural areas from chronic medication shortages. In partnership with medical providers, pharmacies, and laboratories, they streamline NGO support to ensure that patients with chronic diseases, particularly those with sickle cell disease, receive timely, need-based donations of essential care and medicines.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

NaYa Limited is registered as a for-profit entity in Cameroon (it is not possible for them to obtain non-profit status in the country at this time). They have also set up a for-profit company in Canada (Société par actions) that is simply used to set up bank accounts. Given that they are registered and primarily work in Cameroon, the NaYa team has had a great deal of difficulty accessing resources through the incubator programs that are currently participating in (MIT Solve), receiving funds, and interacting with banking institutions.

Given this, they believe it makes sense for them to register an entity in the US as well. They are seeking a consultation to discuss the best way to structure an entity in the US that is able to participate in incubator programs, receive funding, interact with banking institutions, and ultimately distribute funds for the benefit of the company in Cameroon.

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Buy-In Community Planning

Determine Trademark Availability/Register Trademarks

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit helping to relocate people threatened by natural hazards by running a trademark search and registering either one or two trademarks.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The mission of Buy-In Community Planning is to support the well-being of people whose homes and communities are threatened by natural hazards by assisting them in planning for and relocating to safer areas. Using the power of geospatial data and participatory planning, we help communities design voluntary relocation assistance programs that are transparent, equitable, and environmentally restorative to ensure that no household is left in harm’s way.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Buy-In Community Planning Team is seeking assistance determining whether certain portions of their name and related phrases are available to trademark. Once the trademark searches are run (and if available), they would appreciate assistance with one or two related trademark registrations.

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Maria’s Literary Foundation

Review Governing Documents

Summary:

Assist an organization expanding access to books and literary programming by reviewing their governing documents.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: CO
About the Organization: Maria’s Literary Foundation’s mission is to build community by expanding access to books and literary programming in the Four Corners Region. They achieve this by hosting literary events that are accessible to a broad range of community interests and donating books to schools, families, educators, and community service organizations.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Maria’s Literary Foundation is currently under fiscal sponsorship. However, they plan to become an independent 501(c)(3). The Maria’s Literary Foundation team has incorporated the underlying entity in Colorado. Now, prior to submitting their 1023 application to the IRS, they are seeking assistance reviewing their governing documents (e.g. articles of incorporation, bylaws, and conflicts of interest policy). They want to ensure these documents meet IRS requirements and fit the organization’s needs. Ultimately, they would appreciate assistance finalizing their 1023 application. However, this is a secondary request.

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Consultation Corral

Answer Three Discrete Questions Around Tribal Consultations

Summary:

Assist a team creating an online platform where tribal leaders and Native advocates can access Tribal Consultation opportunity information in real time by answering three discrete questions around Tribal Consultations.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Corral is an online platform where tribal leaders and Native advocates can access Tribal Consultation opportunity information in real time. Their process automates the work of tribal governments and Native-led advocacy organizations to pull together tribal consultation opportunities. Corral is an open-government project geared at making Tribal Consultation communication and existing data work for tribal communities. Corral is available to staff and elected officials of Tribal Nations at no cost.
Legal Entity Type: Unregistered
  • Visit Consultation Corral
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, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

The team at Corral would love to have a conversation with a lawyer working with Tribal Nation clients to learn how they prepare clients for responding to and participating in Tribal Consultations. They have three discrete questions:

  1. How do your clients typically learn about Tribal Consultation opportunities? Is it through ‘Dear Tribal Leader’ letters, professional networks, or something else?
  2. If you identify these opportunities, how do you search the Federal Register and agency websites for this information?
  3. What general advice do you have for tribes without legal representation for approaching Tribal Consultation opportunities with the federal government? With states?
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Catalyst 2030/Catalyst NOW

Provide Consultation on Strategy to Register Trademarks Internationally

Summary:

Assist a global movement working to achieve the UN SDGs by 2030 by providing a consultation to discuss a strategy for registering trademarks in the U.S. and internationally.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Catalyst 2030 is a global movement of people and organizations committed to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 through impactful social innovation initiatives. It was launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2020 and was co-founded by members of Ashoka, Echoing Green, the Schwab Foundation, and the Skoll Foundation.
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 2030 is currently rebranding and renaming the organization “Catalyst NOW.” As such, they need to register trademarks for their new name and logo. They would like to start in the U.S., and then register their trademarks internationally. The key regions include the Americas (in particular the United States and Latin America), the Asia-Pacific and MENA region (APAC), the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

They are seeking a consultation with an IP attorney to discuss a strategy for registering internationally. The Catalyst team is currently working with a firm to incorporate and file for 501(c)(3) status in the U.S. Once the entity is established, they will also need help registering the U.S. trademark. However, this is a secondary request.

 

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8B Education Investments

Advise on Best Structure for Joint De-Risking Pool of Capital

Summary:

Assist an organization working to connect African students with fair and flexible student loans by advising on the best structure for setting up a joint de-risking pool of capital.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: 8B Education Investments is a social impact organization that works to connect African students with fair and flexible student loans for studying abroad.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

8B Finance is partnering with another VC-funded DE C Corp (Funding U) to increase the number of students of color in STEM classrooms. They are setting up a joint de-risking pool of capital. The entity will take in low interest loan capital and recoverable grant capital.

8B and Funding U are considering partnering with a non-profit to manage the pool of funds, which would allocate it to them as needed (for a fee). Alternatively, the 8B team would like to understand if a joint impact fund could be managed as an SPV without the presence of a non-profit. If so, what form should this SPV take, and how should it be structured. Ideally, the 8B team would appreciate assistance comparing and contrasting the two approaches (if the second is possible) and understanding any relevant tax implications.

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Taos Education Collaborative, a special project of the Taos Community Foundation

Incorporation and Nonprofit Registration

Summary:

Assist a team eliminating barriers to educational success by helping them to incorporate and file for 501c3 status.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: New Mexico
About the Organization: Taos Education Collaborative is dedicated to eliminating the barriers that stand between their community’s youth and educational success. Through collective action, they are working to make Taos a place where high-quality learning and educational experiences are available and accessible to learners of all ages — regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
Legal Entity Type: Unregistered
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Taos Education Collaborative has been incubated under the Taos Community Foundation for several years. Now, they would like to become an independent non-profit. The Taos Education Collaborative team is seeking assistance incorporating in New Mexico and applying for 501c3 status.

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