Legal Compliance Resources

Articles & Reports on Non-profit Legal Compliance

• Navigating the New IRS Form 990
• A Refresher on Receiving Donations

Links on Non-profit Legal Compliance

Web Resources

• Hurwit & Associates' Nonprofit Law Resource Library
  Contains information on a number of subjects pertaining to nonprofit law including nonprofit start-up issues, state filing and compliance, governance and board questions, mergers and affiliations, nonprofit entrepreneurship, charitable contributions and more
• The International Center for Not-For-Profit Law
  An international not-for-profit organization that promotes an enabling legal environment for civil society, freedom of association and public participation around the world

Nonprofit Law Blogs

• Nonprofit Law Blog
  “Nonprofit Law Essentials and News from California Attorney Gene Takagi”
• Nonprofit Law Prof Blog
  Providing resources, information and news on nonprofit law developments for tax professors, practitioners and the general public
• Nonprofit Law Podcast
  A weekly show highlighting legal issues facing nonprofits, hosted by nonprofit attorney Tim Mooney

Government Resources

•  Internal Revenue Service
  • Published Guidance
  • Charities and Nonprofits Site Map
  • EO Tax Law Training Articles
• Massachusetts
  • Secretary of State Nonprofit Corporate Division
    Details initial and ongoing filing requirements and other information for nonprofits organized under MA law
  • Online Articles of Organization Form that must be filed to incorporate a nonprofit in Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts Attorney General Charitable Division
    Filing forms and requirements and other nonprofit information
• Other States
  Every state provides pertinent information for nonprofit organizations on their respective Attorney General and Secretary of State websites.

Pro Bono and Reduced-Fee Nonprofit Legal Services

• The WilmerHale Legal Services Center, Business and Non-Profit Organization Clinic
  A program of Harvard Law School, the Business and Non-Profit Organization Clinic provides legal assistance to start-up and existing small businesses, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and community development corporations on a wide range of legal matters.
• Community Enterprise Clinic
  The Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau’s Community Enterprise Clinic provides free legal representation to entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofits in Greater Boston and Metro West communities.
• Boston Bar Lawyer Referral
  A public service since 1950, the Boston Bar Lawyer Referral is the only lawyer referral service in Massachusetts to earn ABA approval.
• Community Legal Referral Program
  Matches volunteer lawyers with nonprofit groups that develop or sponsor affordable housing, promote economic development, or operate as homeless shelters, tenant organizations, and housing and homeless advocacy groups
• Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
  Provides legal services to individual artists and nonprofit art organizations
• Foundation Center
  Lists various resources for nonprofits seeking pro bono legal services

Publications

• Phelan , Marilyn; Desiderio, Robert. 2007. Nonprofit Organizations Law and Policy, American Casebook Series, West Publishing Corp.
• Hopkins, Bruce, 2005. Nonprofit Law Made Easy. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.