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!
This sample document is for a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation that has sole Member who is a living individual, and who would like to appoint a successor sole Member to the organization. If you designated yourself as a sole member when founding a nonprofit corporation, and are developing a succession plan, this sample succession planning document is a great resource.
This template consent helps memorialize the startup steps taken by the organization’s initial board of directors, creating a clear formal record for the organization’s minute book. The initial board of directors of a nonprofit organization uses this document to formally accept their board positions in writing, adopt bylaws and policies, appoint officers, and ratify the actions taken in the organization’s startup phase by the incorporator (and any members of the organization). Any other lawful actions they believe are in the best interests of the organization can be included in this consent as part of the startup process.
The IRS asks tax-exempt organizations on the IRS Form 990 if they have a process for determining executive compensation that requires an independent review (and approval) of the proposed compensation, the use of comparability data, and contemporaneous substantiation of the deliberation and decision. This template policy meets those criteria and provides a roadmap for properly approving executive compensation.
If you are not careful when selecting a name, you can stumble into some serious startup trouble and cost your organization some woes early on. Organizations changing names and going through a rebranding process can suffer the same fate. Download our legal checklist for choosing a name for a list of steps to take and things to think through when choosing a name for your nonprofit. This guide sheet is also a helpful resource when it comes to naming and branding your nonprofit organization’s programs.
An organization that doesn’t have 501(c)(3) status yet but needs to communicate with donors about its tax status can use this letter to recognize donor contributions. This letter also includes language organizations can post on their websites while they are waiting for the IRS to recognize their tax-exempt status. (See also our Donor Acknowledgement Letter – Post-501(c)(3) Status.)
With detailed commentaries, cross references, and citations, this annotated statute is an essential resource for legal professionals serving Pennsylvania nonprofit corporations. Because of its in-depth analysis, it’s an especially helpful tool for professionals who are in private practice or serving as in-house counsel, but also for courts and regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the nonprofit sector, legislators, and anyone teaching and studying nonprofit law.
Use this template to document the initial actions of the incorporator of your new nonprofit. It’s a document used to formally appoint the initial board members of the organization. (See also our Unanimous Written Consent by the Board — Startup Matters, used by an initial board of directors for taking other official corporate action as part of the startup process.)
This template is for a nonprofit organization that is named after a living individual who is agreeing to license his/her/their name and likeness for use by the organization for its identity and branding materials. This sample agreement contemplates that the individual licensor is the founder and sole Member of a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation.
With detailed commentaries, cross references, and citations, this annotated statute is an essential resource for legal professionals serving Pennsylvania nonprofit corporations. Because of its in-depth analysis, it’s an especially helpful tool for professionals who are in private practice or serving as in-house counsel, but also for courts and regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the nonprofit sector, legislators, and anyone teaching and studying nonprofit law.
With detailed commentaries, cross references, and citations, this annotated statute is an essential resource for legal professionals serving Pennsylvania nonprofit corporations. Because of its in-depth analysis, it’s an especially helpful tool for professionals who are in private practice or serving as in-house counsel, but also for courts and regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the nonprofit sector, and for those who are teaching and studying nonprofit law.