End Poverty

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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.

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 (6) Contracts (2) Corporate Governance (1) Data Privacy (1) Employment/Labor (1) Finance/Fundraising (1) Nonprofit Formation (1) Nonprofit Governance (3) Regulatory (1) Research (1) Risk Management (1) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (6) Visa/Immigration (2)

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True Foundry

Novation Agreement

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit helping African founders create dignified jobs by drafting a novation agreement and new template loan agreement.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S. (incorporated in Maryland)
About the Organization: True Foundry incubates and invests in African founders to build profitable businesses that provide dignified jobs in Africa. Their theory of change: if early-stage African founders are given long term access to capacity building (coaching + training + talent) and catalytic capital, then jobs will be created at an accelerated scale, and more importantly be sustained by profitably run businesses.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The True Foundry team is seeking assistance drafting a Novation Agreement. They would like to transition existing investor loans, originally made directly to portfolio companies before their 501(c)(3)(which is incorporated in MD) was established, so that True Foundry becomes the borrower and can pool risk within their micro-fund.

This transition is at the behest of the investors and they are eager for the new arrangement. Many of the investors are in the U.S., while the portfolio companies are primarily based in Ghana. The original loan agreements state the governing law is Ghana. But the True Foundry team understands the attorney will be speaking from the US perspective.

The True Foundry team would then appreciate assistance restructuring the loans and drafting the new template loan documents for True Foundry to loan the money from their micro-fund to their portfolio companies.

Finally, after novating their loans to True Foundry, some investors have indicated that they would like to forgive the debt for tax deductions. The True Foundry team is seeking guidance on the steps to do this, as well as assistance drafting the necessary documentation.

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Disaster Accountability Project

Organization Name Change

Summary:

Support a Maryland nonprofit improving equity in disaster relief by assisting with an organization name change.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: Maryland
About the Organization: Disaster Accountability Project improves effectiveness, efficiency, and equity in disaster relief and humanitarian aid. Its SmartResponse platform is working to advance localization in humanitarian sector by curating localized “how to help” lists to help donors, and all stakeholders, more easily identify, engage, and directly support local NGOs and last-mile organizations around the world.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

Disaster Accountability Project is a nonprofit incorporated in Maryland. Given feedback from donors, they plan to change their name from Disaster Accountability Project to SmartResponse. They would like to keep Disaster Accountability Project and DAP as a DBA. SmartResponse is the name of their lead program, and they already have it trademarked.

They are now seeking guidance from an attorney on what documents they must complete/steps they must take (both on the state and federal level) to make this name change. Ultimately, if possible, they would appreciate assistance implementing the name change itself. However, this is secondary request. The Founder/Executive Director is a Maryland attorney and can assist as needed.

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Grassland Cameroon

Assist with 1023 Filing and Governance Documents

Summary:

Assist a Georgia nonprofit supporting female smallholder farmers in Cameroon with their Form 1023 filing and governance policies/documents (work was begun and largely completed by a pro bono attorney but needs to be reviewed and finalized).

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S. (Georgia Nonprofit)
About the Organization: Grassland Cameroon is a social enterprise that produces cornmeal porridge sourced from female smallholder farmers in Cameroon, whom they finance with farm inputs each planting season.
Legal Entity Type: Hybrid (nonprofit + for-profit affiliates)
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being
Legal Issue(s):

In 2024, Grassland Cameroon formed a separate U.S. entity called Farm to Thrive, a Georgia nonprofit corporation.  Farm to Thrive is in the process of completing its Form 1023, but the 1023 needs to be finalized and filed with the IRS.  Corporate governance policies and documents have also been drafted for Farm to Thrive by attorneys but need to be reviewed and finalized. The work was started (and largely completed) by Lex Mundi attorneys who have transitioned from their firm. The organization now just needs help getting across the finish line.

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Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL)

Consultation on Transit Visa

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit working to solve the sanitation crisis in Haiti by providing a consultation on obtaining a transit visa (individual is Haitian, living in Indonesia, and returning to Haiti).

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: NA
About the Organization: SOIL is a non-profit research and development organization working in Haiti to design, test, and implement sustainable and equitable solutions to the sanitation crisis. Their mission is to ensure safe, dignified, and sustainable sanitation in urban Haiti, creating a model for urban sanitation which is replicable in Haiti and globally.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Good Health and Well Being, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

In October, SOIL hired an IT manager who is Haitian but living in Indonesia with his family. SOIL has been trying for 5 months to support him in getting back to Haiti with his family so that he can work from the office. However, they have hit up against transit visa hurdles at every step. They are seeking guidance from a business immigration expert who might be able to advise on best next steps. So far, he has experienced issues traveling through Spain and Cuba and hasn’t found another route.

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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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