Nonprofit Organizations

Taft regularly serves as outside general counsel to nonprofits, offering coordinated support across tax, corporate governance, fundraising, compliance, employment, data privacy, real estate, and dispute resolution. Through collaboration with attorneys in related practice areas, we offer comprehensive guidance tailored to each organization’s structure, size, and mission.

Representative Services

Taft counsels nonprofit organizations in all aspects of their operation and activities, including:

Nonprofit Formation and Governance

We help organizations establish and structure nonprofit entities, develop governing documents, and secure tax-exempt status. Our team guides boards and leadership on fiduciary duties, conflict-of-interest policies, accountability standards, and governance best practices. We also advise on the creation and oversight of private foundations and supporting organizations.

Tax Matters and Regulatory Compliance

Taft assists nonprofits with unrelated business income tax (UBIT), sponsorships, fundraising activities, and revenue-generating programs. We manage federal and state filings, charitable solicitation registrations, exemption applications, and reporting requirements. Our team also handles property and sales tax exemptions and compliance with grantmaking and expenditure rules.

Transactions, Affiliations and Organizational Change

We advise nonprofits on mergers, affiliations, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. Our attorneys structure subsidiaries and revenue-producing ventures and help organizations navigate reorganizations, dissolutions, and complex relationships with for-profit entities.

Fundraising, Gifts and Donor Relations

Our attorneys support planned giving programs and works with nonprofits to develop and update gift acceptance policies. We counsel on charitable gift vehicles such as trusts, annuities, real estate contributions, and gifts of closely held business interests, while also assisting with donor relations and stewardship strategies.

Issue-Specific and Sector-Focused Assistance

We provide tailored guidance to religious organizations, educational institutions, and health care entities, among others. Working with attorneys across related practice groups, we address sector-specific governance, regulatory concerns, and operational challenges.

Employment, Volunteers and Risk Management

Taft advises on employment policies, volunteer management, and youth protection requirements. We assist with investigations, compliance reviews, and risk mitigation strategies to help nonprofits create safe and accountable environments.

International and Cross-Border Work

For nonprofits operating globally, we offer support on international entity formation, foreign registrations, and cross-border grantmaking. We also advise on immigration matters affecting employees, volunteers, and organizational personnel.

Intellectual Property and Information Governance

We help nonprofits protect their ideas and content through trademark, copyright, and licensing strategies. Our team also develops privacy, cybersecurity, and data governance frameworks to safeguard sensitive information.

Real Estate, Finance and Dispute Resolution

Taft handles real estate transactions, leasing arrangements, and environmental compliance for nonprofit organizations. We also counsel on tax-exempt bonds and financing structures. When disputes arise, our litigators assist with regulatory challenges, investigations, and alternative dispute resolution.