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 (10) Contracts (6) Corporate Formation (2) Corporate Governance (1) Due Diligence (1) Employment/Labor (5) Finance/Fundraising (2) Intellectual Property (3) Nonprofit Formation (1) Nonprofit Governance (4) Tax (2) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (6)

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POKET Inc.

Advise on Redlines to a Software Services Agreement

Summary:

Help a social enterprise creating mobile tools to support research by advising on a redlined Software Services Agreement.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Poket works with organizations and researchers to create a suite of mobile tools that they can use to crowdsource data for projects/programs. Through these efforts, the Poket team empowers citizens, students, research participants and field teams to submit data and receive rewards. Their tools are used around the world from farmers in Nigeria crowdsourcing the price of soybeans in their local markets to citizens in Bangladesh reporting which healthcare clinics offer the COVID-19 vaccine in the last mile.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The Poket team has been hired by an organization to develop a suite of tools for a federally funded humanitarian program. They are already working together, have a good relationship, and have signed a Letter of Intent. However, the organization hasn’t signed Poket’s template Software Services Agreement and returned a redlined version for consideration. The Poket team is now seeking assistance reviewing the edits and guidance on any changes they should push back against.

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The Felix Organization

Consultation on Establishing a Planning Giving Program

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit enriching the lives of children living in foster care by providing a consultation on setting up a planned giving program.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S. (NY/CA)
About the Organization: The Felix Organization  was founded in 2006 by Rock ’n Roll Hall of Famer, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Emmy Award-winning casting director, Sheila Jaffe to enrich the lives of children growing up in the foster care system. Their programming includes overnight camps designed to meet the unique needs of the children, as well as year-round offerings in NY to help the children achieve their dreams.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The Felix Organization would like to set up a planned giving program. They are seeking a comprehensive consultation to better understand: (i) what options are available to donors and if some are recommended over others; and (ii) what steps the Felix Organization team needs to put in place to accept/solicit donations. Most donors will be from NY/Tri-State Area and California. However, the Felix Organization plans to promote planned giving to a wider network down the road.

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The Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ)

Advise on Benefit Corporations and Assist with Entity Formation

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit fighting environmental inequality by advising on benefit corporations and assisting with entity formation.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: CREEJ’s mission is to reduce health, economic disparities and improve access to clean air, water, and soil in marginalized rural communities by influencing policy, inspiring innovation, catalyzing relevant research, and amplifying the voices of community leaders, all within the context of a changing climate
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice is with working with various stakeholders including universities and large government agencies on a model for treating wastewater, which they eventually intend to manufacture and make widely available. The CEEJ team has been advised that given their work and mission, they should establish a Benefit Corp. They are seeking a consultation to discuss whether this structure best suits their needs, as well as assistance with the entity formation itself.

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Solutions Journalism Network

Advise on Fair Use

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit news organization by advising on “fair use.”

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: The Solutions Journalism Network is a nonprofit leading a global shift in journalism, focused on what the news misses most often: how people are trying to solve problems and what we can learn from their successes or failures.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

Solutions Journalism Network has a public database with links to thousands of journalistic articles drafted by independent parties (news outlets around the world. Currently, for each piece, their staff draft a bespoke short summary explaining the content of the article for users, who then can click off to read the article from its original source. Drafting the summaries is very time consuming. Moving forward, they would like to simply include a short excerpt from each piece (perhaps the first paragraph). They do not have relationships with the authors and are seeking guidance on whether including these excerpts is permitted under fair use. The Solutions Journalism Network team has received initial guidance from an attorney but is seeking a second opinion.

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Adumu Impact

Establish 501c3

Summary:

Assist a charity restoring land rights to the Maasai people establish a 501c3.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S. (CA)
About the Organization: Adumu Impact is a charitable organization established to restore land, rights, culture, and economic self-determination to the Indigenous Maasai and other host communities through equitable ecotourism, regional tourism reform, and community wildlife conservation.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, End Poverty, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Adumu Impact is a public charity registered in CA. They are currently under fiscal sponsorship, but would like to apply for their own 501c3 status. They are seeking assistance completing and filing the IRS documents and would appreciate help with board formation and bylaw review.

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SmartGov

Advise on SPC and/or PBC

Summary:

Assist a government reform think-tank by advising on whether an SPC or PBC fits their needs.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: CA/DE
About the Organization: SmartGov is a think-and-do tank founded to enhance and support government reform and efficiency by leveraging cutting-edge research and catalyzing tech-powered innovations – bringing a more rigorous approach to the challenges facing governance and governments today.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The SmartGov team is considering forming either a Social Purpose Corporation or a Public Benefit Corporation. They are seeking guidance on which of these structures best fits their needs and, if possible, assistance with registration down the line.

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Brain Expansions Scholastic Training, Inc.

Advise Nonprofit on Impact of Selling Products (implications re: UBIT and nonprofit status)

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit preparing students from disadvantaged backgrounds for careers in the medical field by advising on implications of selling products.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: B.E.S.T. prepares students, mainly from under-represented and disadvantaged communities, for careers in the medical field to help address the national shortage of diverse healthcare professionals. Their Medical Pathway Programs provide hands-on medical instruction, mentoring, school and career guidance, as well as social safety nets for students who often face additional challenges in their lives.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The B.E.S.T team has developed supplemental instructional programming to accompany their educational offerings. These products will be sold separately. The B.E.S.T team is seeking guidance on whether this revenue might be subject to UBIT or otherwise impact their nonprofit status. If so, they would also appreciate general advice on whether forming a hybrid entity is appropriate.

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Manodharma

Draft Memorandum of Understanding

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit that supports educators/entrepreneurs across the US and India by drafting an MOU.

Referred by:

  • Other
Jurisdictions: US
About the Organization: Manodharma is an integrating organization that enables educators and entrepreneurs in the US and India to work together to scale and sustain social good. By way of example, Manodharma partnered with another US – based nonprofit to distribute 450,000 books to children in need across India.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
  • Visit Manodharma
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The founder of Manodharma has developed a relationship with an organization that created a mobile app to teach English, math, and job skills. They plan to work together to bring the solution to individuals across India. Manodharma’s founder is seeking assistance drafting an MOU sets forth the terms of their relationship/work.

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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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