Nonprofit Protection Project
Nonprofits are facing increasing legal challenges due to a rapidly changing landscape that includes new executive orders, changes in federal policies and related issues. The Law Foundation is proud to partner with the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits and Give Light Consulting on its Nonprofit Protection Project. Through the Nonprofit Protection Project, the Law Foundation offers free legal advice and limited representation to help nonprofits navigate these issues so they can keep working toward their missions without unnecessary legal obstacles. We provide one-on-one pro bono representation and work with our partners to provide training on relevant topics and additional resources.
One-on-one Legal consultations:
If selected, your nonprofit would receive up to 10 hours of pro bono representation on corporate governance issues related to recent executive orders, federal policy changes and related matters.
Eligibility is generally limited to nonprofits with less than $10 million in support, located in or serving Santa Clara County.
To apply or learn more, click here.
Links to Additional Resources:
Documents that may be of use:
Pre-audit checklist - This is a checklist appropriate for a high level pre-audit health check.
Detailed Checklist - Detailed checklist from Standards for Excellence Institute for governance and strategy matters.
Good Governance Policies for Nonprofits - List of high-level governance matters from National Council of Nonprofits with links to more detailed assessments and model policies
Flow Chart - Flow chart with some common issues to consider
Governance Check Sheet - The document used by the IRS for its review of 501(c)(3) organizations
Government Investigation Toolkit - Toolkit from Protect Democracy with resources for organizations facing government investigations
Government Contract Disruptions - Guidance from Morrison Foerster on handling government contract disruptions
DEI FAQ - FAQ’s from Public Counsel about executive orders related to DEI
Chart of Executive Orders - Council of Nonprofits chart of executive orders relating to nonprofits
Trainings:
The Impacts of the Recent Executive Orders on Nonprofits - Council of Nonprofits training on EO Impacts
Navigating DEI Trends Post-Executive Orders - Massachusetts Nonprofit Network training on DEI
Other organizations that provide related support :
Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN) - SVCN provides advocacy and a variety of resources to nonprofits in Santa Clara County.
Community Organization Representation Project - The Bar Association of San Francisco - CORP connects Northern California nonprofit organizations with attorneys for pro bono representation on transactional legal matters, and provides additional resources through clinics, workshops and webinars
Public Counsel - Public Counsel is a nonprofit legal organization that provides free legal support to nonprofits serving low-income communities in Los Angeles County, and offers free trainings and publications for the nonprofit sector including model policies
Please note that the above resources and documents provide general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. Certain materials were created by third parties and not The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley. The information contained in these documents and resources may change over time.