Partnerships to achieve the Goals

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CatchLight

Review Template Services Agreement

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit visual-first media organization by reviewing a template services agreement.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: CatchLight is a nonprofit visual-first media organization that leverages the power of visual storytelling to inform, connect, and transform communities. The organization has two marquee programs, CatchLight Local and CatchLight Global Fellowship. CatchLight Local subsidizes full-time visual journalism positions in local and regional newsrooms. CatchLight Global Fellowship is an incubator for leaders and innovators in the visual storytelling field to receive financial support, unlock individual potential, grow their networks, and forge new partnerships.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals
Legal Issue(s):

In furtherance of their mission, CatchLight works with local newsrooms. These newsrooms pay an annual membership fee, and CatchLight provides certain services/benefits (e.g., visual journalism support services). CatchLight has a template agreement for use with these newsrooms, and they believe it was likely drafted by an attorney many years ago. However, they are seeking assistance reviewing the template to ensure it is up to date and adequately covers their needs. CatchLight is based in CA, although the template does not currently include a governing law section.

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CatchLight

Review/Update Template Independent Contractor and/or Grant Agreement

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit visual-first media organization by reviewing/updating a template Independent Contractor and/or template Grant Agreement.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: CatchLight is a nonprofit visual-first media organization that leverages the power of visual storytelling to inform, connect, and transform communities. The organization has two marquee programs, CatchLight Local and CatchLight Global Fellowship. CatchLight Local subsidizes full-time visual journalism positions in local and regional newsrooms. CatchLight Global Fellowship is an incubator for leaders and innovators in the visual storytelling field to receive financial support, unlock individual potential, grow their networks, and forge new partnerships.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals
Legal Issue(s):

In furtherance of their mission, CatchLight works with third party individuals. First, they work with independent contractors to perform discrete services (e.g., they may pay a freelance reporter to cover a story). Additionally, individuals will propose projects and, if selected, CatchLight will provide a grant for their work.

They have a baseline template that is used for independent contractors, and another baseline template that is used for the grantees – although they vary to some extent based on the project/engagement. Both were drafted by attorneys several years ago.

The CatchLight team is seeking assistance reviewing the Independent Contractor template and the Grant Agreement template to ensure they are up to date, cover the organization’s needs, and comply with applicable law. CatchLight is based in California and the templates are governed by California law.

If the attorney does not have the capacity/expertise to help with both projects, assistance with either would be greatly appreciated.

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African Leadership University

Visa Consultation and Review of Letter of Invitation

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit that supports African students by providing a consultation to address discrete visa questions and reviewing a Letter of Invitation.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: African Leadership University (“ALU”) is a pan-African university with campuses in Rwanda and Mauritius and students from 50 African countries. They believe that young people hold the potential to become the ethical, entrepreneurial leaders that Africa and the planet need. Their role is to unlock that potential through a one-of-a-kind learning experience that gives students the foundation for a lifetime of leading positive change.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Gender Equality, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

As part of their programming, African Leadership University (“ALU”) brings cohorts of their students from across Africa to Silicon Valley for a transformative, month-long leadership and entrepreneurship immersion program at the Carnegie Foundation and Stanford University.

Because this is a short, non-degree, professional exposure program, their students apply exclusively for B-1/B-2 visitor visas. In 2025, the students applied for their visas a few weeks after the inauguration and only 32% were approved (in past years, they have had anywhere from 60-100% approval).

The ALU team is now seeking a consultation with an immigration attorney to ask a handful of discrete questions (e.g., what eligibility criteria might ALU introduce to improve visa outcomes?). These questions and additional background information can be provided upon request. They would also appreciate assistance reviewing and updating their Letter of Invitation.

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Medic Mobile Inc.

Draft Contracts Between Related Entities

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit creating technology for care workers by drafting: (i) an affiliation, cost-sharing & licensing agreement; and (ii) master grant funding agreement between its entities.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Medic designs, delivers, and supports world-class, open-source software for health workers providing care in the world’s hardest-to-reach communities. They believe providing communities with sophisticated, human-centered technology is an effective tool on the path to achieving a more just world, where universal health coverage is a reality and health is a secured human right.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals
Legal Issue(s):

The Medic team is planning to spin out a separate nonprofit entity in Kenya to house their implementation programming/provide more localized support. This entity would be locally led and governed, and has already been registered with Kenya’s NGO Board. Medic 501c3 will provide operational support and flow of restricted funds to the new Kenyan nonprofit. Medic is seeking  legal support to draft and review two contract agreements that will ensure 501(c)(3) compliance, protect Medic’s tax-exempt status, and safeguard the interests of both organizations: a) an affiliation, cost-sharing & licensing agreement and b) a master grant funding agreement.

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Sozo Impact Inc.

Employment/Labor Law Consultation Involving Independent Contractors

Summary:

Assist an international contemporary arts agency and incubator by providing a consultation on their employment practices and treatment of artists as independent contractors.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: CA
About the Organization: Sozo Impact Inc. (SOZO) is an international contemporary arts agency and incubator at the intersection of social impact, innovation, and culture. Their portfolio of trailblazing artistic productions, experiences, and educational initiatives implements holistic approaches that cultivate equitable and liberatory creative ecosystems.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

SOZO is registered as a nonprofit in California and works with artists both in the state and around the world. In many instances, they are serving as general managers for artists, and other times, as creative producers for artists to develop new work across mediums including music, dance, mixed reality technologies and installations. They treat many of these artists as independent contractors. The SOZO team is seeking a consultation with an employment/labor law attorney familiar with performing arts industry to: (i) review their current practices; (ii) help identify any risks (particularly under CA Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5)); (iii) and provide guidance on when they need workers compensation and other insurance coverages that covers these artists.

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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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