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.
• Lawyers Clearinghouse
  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.