End Poverty

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Consultation (6) Contracts (3) Data Privacy (2) Intellectual Property (1) Nonprofit Formation (2) Nonprofit Governance (2) Regulatory (2) Research (2) Tax (2) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (7)

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EarthEnable

Consultation on Nonprofit Investment

Summary:

Assist a U.S. nonprofit addressing the housing crisis in Africa by advising on whether they can invest in mission-aligned for-profit entity in Switzerland.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: EarthEnable is a nonprofit working to solve the housing crisis in Africa through their sustainable, affordable, and healthy home solutions.
Legal Entity Type: Hybrid (nonprofit + for-profit affiliates)
SDG(s):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
Legal Issue(s):

EarthEnable is a 501(c)(3) incorporated in Massachusetts. EarthEnable’s founder is working very closely with the founder of a mission aligned for-profit entity in Switzerland called Oxara. Oxara has developed a ground-breaking, patented, earth-based alternative to cement. This material is critical to expanding EarthEnable’s work and has the potential make safe, clean, affordable, housing readily available across the African continent and the rest of world.

Pestalozzi (Lex Mundi member firm for Switzerland) is advising on the relationship between EarthEnable and Oxara from a Swiss perspective. The two organization’s founders are acting as co-founders in moving this work forward and may restructure their organizations accordingly down the line. For now, EarthEnable’s founder is acting as a fractional CFO for Oxara, while Oxara’s founder is acting as a CTO for EarthEnable.

The EarthEnable team is now seeking a consultation with a tax-exempt attorney to discuss whether they can use their donor money to invest in Oxara. If so, what are their options (e.g., can they make a PRI)?  Ultimately, they’d like to better understand the parameters and to discuss whether there is a potential conflict of interest given their current relationship.

Down the line, they would greatly appreciate further assistance/guidance executing on these investments/drafting any necessary legal documentation. However, this is a secondary request.

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FreeFrom

Research on State Lobbying Laws

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit supporting victims of gender based violence by conducting research on state lobbying laws.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: FreeFrom is a nonprofit working to end gender-based violence with survivors by building safety and economic freedom. They innovate with survivors to create tools, resources and environments that offer support before, during, and beyond moments of crisis. Survivors can then build financial security to support their individual, intergenerational, and community healing.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):End Poverty, Gender Equality, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

As FreeFrom, a 501c3 nonprofit, continues to build their state policy strategy in advocating for survivor financial security centered policies, they need information on each state’s lobbyist requirements. This will ensure they are in compliance with each state’s law and lobbyist reporting requirements as they expand their work across the nation.

FreeFrom has a template of the information they need for each state along with 6 discrete questions (e.g., what are the requirements for registering as a lobbyist in the state). These can be provided upon request.

Any volunteer/firm can handle the research for as many or as few states as they are able to accommodate. A list of available states can be provided upon request.

Ideally, they would love for the research to be completed by the end of November. However, this is not a hard deadline.

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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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