Charities often need help from the business world to effectively accomplish their missions, but working in tandem with a nonprofit typically means jumping through a few hoops to comply with regulations. It’s a worthy effort and doesn’t have to be difficult — but checking these boxes is vital to working effectively, avoiding potential legal headaches, and protecting your relationships with nonprofit clients.
Typically, for-profit fundraising partners fall into two buckets: professional fundraisers and commercial co-venturers. Copilevitz, Lam & Raney is versed in the various state rules and regulations that pertain to each.
Bringing on expert help before entering this arena protects your relationships and reputation, and it helps you avoid fines or even criminal penalties.
A professional fundraiser is a label that states can apply pretty broadly: any individual or firm that is retained to seek contributions on behalf of a nonprofit or charity. Such entities typically must register with a state attorney general’s office before starting a fundraising campaign. Terms of hiring, fees, revenue sharing, and requirements for solicitation also may vary from state to state. Copilevitz, Lam & Raney helps you ensure regulatory compliance, including in details such as fundraising scripts, disclosure, coordination of in-house and outsourced campaigns, the ever-important annual financial reports, and any other legal matters.
Similarly, commercial co-venturers — any person or firm that regularly conducts a charitable sales promotion or is involved with benefit events — often must complete registration requirements before a campaign.
At Copilevitz, Lam & Raney, we sweat the details of contracts so you can concentrate on effectively helping your nonprofit partners. We assist with contract development, review, and filing, and because we stay up-to-date on the applicable laws in each state, we make sure contracts effectively protect you. We know when certain states require specific provisions in contracts with non-profits, and we can help you think through potential implications of various business relationships.