I am starting a non-profit here in PA would love a few minutes of your time. Very basic/easy questions, less than 10 min!
Please PM me or email me at jjn646 at yahoo dot com, my next best option is the yellow pages which almost never turns out well.
Do you know where you are? Expect a reply on the 32nd of Neveruary.
guess what? you’re a dick!
Contact your state or local bar and ask if they have a list of attorneys looking for pro bono work. Some bar associations require attorneys to donate a certain number of hours and usually have attorneys that are looking for donative time.
the way the economy is going and the hit many professional service firms are taking, almost all lawyers will be non-profit…
thanks, valuable info.
Quick and dirty -
Go to IRS.gov - download Publication 557 - will give you the basics regarding “501(c)(3)” tax exempt status for non-profit organizations. Each state has its own nonprofit corporation law- Go to the Pennsylvania Secretary of State’s web site - there should be a form for a non-profit corporation with instructions (note -you will need to add the special language discussed in Pub. 557 to the “articles of incorporation.”) You should also check out the PA attorney general website. There may be a registration for receiving donations with a small fee (this is the case in Ohio).
Best advice - go to the local bar association (or a local law school legal clinic)- sometimes there is a pro bono program, which will match you up with a willing attorney (or industrious law student) who will assist you getting the legal documents in order. You will still need to pay state and IRS filing fees, probably about $800 total ($625 IRS, plus state filing fee). Or ask an attorney who is interested in your cause - sometimes they will dedicate some of their free time to get you up and running. If you try and do it yourself, you will probably screw it up (don’t feel bad - many lawyers screw it up as well) and it will take more effort and time to fix it.
If you get one to do it pro bono- remember this fact - if they are doing it for free, on their own time and not charging you, the proper response is thank you, not I want this immediately because this is earth shatteringly important. If it is that important -you can pay for their time.
If you have specific questions, feel free to post them.