The right resources can make all the difference
Produced in collaboration with nonprofit attorneys nationwide, and in Pennsylvania, this expanded resource library helps nonprofits make quicker work of meeting today’s unprecedented moments and tackling everyday challenges. This library offers sought-after sample documents, checklists, guide sheets, risk assessment tools, and many other resources designed specifically for meeting the legal needs of Pennsylvania nonprofits (though organizations in other jurisdictions will likely find these useful as well).
Some resources in this library are provided at no cost; others are available for reasonable fees. Revenue generated from sales helps fund the production of more content for this library.
Please note that these resources are for informational purposes only. They are meant to accelerate and elevate the legal work of nonprofits but are no legitimate substitute for legal advice and the benefits of conferring and working with a lawyer to tailor documents specifically for your organization’s situation. To responsibly address your nonprofit organization’s legal matters, be as proactive as you can (build systems, issue spot, and always seek the advice of an experienced nonprofit lawyer).
Check back frequently for new arrivals as we’re often adding new content, and please let us know what other legal resources you would like to see!
Quality bylaws that reflect contemporary best practices help keep nonprofit organizations healthy. This is our basic tried-and-true template, which provides a great start for non-member organizations (i.e., organizations that just have board members and do not have voting members in addition to board members). This template works for organizations that are either adopting bylaws for the first time or want a template to work from to amend and restate their existing bylaws.
This version provides for a self-perpetuating board of directors (i.e., a board of directors that elects successor board members). It also includes a cover note about special considerations, calling out provisions that organizations may want to pay closer attention to or tailor to their needs.
In 2022, the Pennsylvania legislature made major changes to the nonprofit corporation law (found in Title 15 of Pennsylvania’s Consolidated Statutes). This 10-page executive summary of those changes succinctly captures what’s new, focusing on how the amendments impact nonprofit corporations. Clear and easy to read, this time-saving resource distills the complexity of the 165-page PDF of redlined changes made to Act 122 (drawn from House Bill 2057) and includes citations to specific statutory provisions.
Use this template language to meet the legal notice requirements for advertising the existence of your new nonprofit corporation in Pennsylvania.
This resource is a classic, and a “must read” for founders and lawyers representing nonprofit startups. It’s no surprise that it is the most popular Ready Reference Page published by Don Kramer’s Nonprofit Issues®.
This guide sheet is incredibly handy for lawyers and other professionals looking for a quick and reliable reference to the legal authority that provides for the fiduciary duties of directors of Pennsylvania nonprofit corporations. Packed with quotations and citations from Pennsylvania’s statutes and case law, this detailed 5-page resource charts each of the primary fiduciary duties (i.e., the duties of care, loyalty, and obedience – as well as other essential duties), and includes corresponding legal excerpts and references for each of them. This resource also bullet points the actions board members take to fulfill these duties.
The IRS asks tax-exempt organizations on the IRS Form 990 if they have a written document retention and destruction policy, and it’s not a good sign when organizations can’t answer “yes” to this question. This time-saving template educates organizations and encourages their compliance with the legal requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) by providing guidance for keeping, storing, and disposing of records and documents. It includes a chart listing specific documents and retention time frames.
This one-page visual guide sheet provides a succinct overview of the three fiduciary duties of board members serving Pennsylvania nonprofit corporations — the duty of care, the duty of loyalty, and the duty of obedience — and bullet points the actions board members take to fulfill these duties.
Quality bylaws that reflect contemporary best practices help keep nonprofit organizations healthy. This is our basic tried-and-true template, which provides a great start for most startup organizations that have a single founder. (See our sample Bylaws — Two Founders as the Only Members if the organization has two founders.)
Use this template board service agreement to set clear expectations for your board members. This document includes a summary of board duties and other provisions that can protect your organization and help it grow strong.
The IRS asks tax-exempt organizations on the IRS Form 990 if they have a written conflict of interest policy — and it’s never a good sign when organizations can’t answer “yes” to this question. Pennsylvania’s charity regulators care, too. Even if an organization is not a charitable organization, Pennsylvania law only allows for related-party transactions in certain circumstances. This template policy is designed to help nonprofit leaders fulfill their fiduciary duties and keep their organizations in compliance. This version is a good starting point for boards that take conflicts of interest seriously and that want something more robust for identifying and screening conflicts of interest. It includes an annual disclosure form and provides a roadmap for screening and vetting conflicts.