Legal Assistance for Eligible Nonprofits and Small Businesses offered at Communities Rise

Promotes community development and organizational capacity-building in Washington state by helping low-income small business owners obtain free legal assistance on business-related matters such as:

• Incorporation and application for tax exemption status under IRS Code sec. 501(c)(3).
• Nonprofit Governance – Preparing and revising bylaws; creating articles of incorporation; creating conflict of interest policies; creating whistleblower policies, and creating other corporate documents and policies; and advising on good corporate governance.

Maintenance and Compliance – Advice on maintaining 501(c)(3) status, including unrelated business income and compliance with lobbying restrictions.

• Taxes – Advice regarding federal, state, and local taxes.
• Contracts – Drafting and advising on business contracts.
• Employment – Preparing, reviewing and revising personnel policies, employment contracts, and confidentiality agreements.
• Real Estate – Help with property leases and purchase and sale agreements.
• Intellectual Property – Assistance with registering trademarks, and advising on copyright protection, license agreements, or website-related agreements. However, we do not provide assistance on patent matters.
• Risk and Liability Assessment – Assistance with risk and liability assessment including waiver and release forms, and general advice on insurance coverage.
• Federal Tax-Exempt Status – Assistance applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Does Not help with:

• Litigation Matters – Does not provide assistance on litigation matters or with hearings.
• Conflicts/Embezzlement – Does not assist with situations of conflict between board members/staff, or embezzlement.
• Individual Claims against Nonprofits – Does not provide assistance to individuals with their pursuit of claims against nonprofit and community organizations.
• Ongoing Legal Assistance – Unable to help find an attorney to serve on a nonprofit’s board, or have an attorney be on-call or serve as General Counsel.
• Legal Advice Over the Phone – Does not provide legal advice over the phone.

Service is not a “hotline” service. Only provides legal assistance upon receiving a written application. However, can answer questions about the application process over the phone or email.