Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta
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Well-trained employees and the donor base they help to develop are significant assets that a nonprofit organization wants to protect. It is also natural for nonprofits to want to avoid improper use of proprietary information they have shared with their employees. What legal options do nonprofit organizations have to secure these assets? This article details …
Your nonprofit organization is established and growing, and you feel like you are ready to hire your first employee. But are you really ready? What are the upsides of hiring an employee? Do you understand the risks of hiring an employee (or more than one employee)? What must you know before you take that leap …
Does your organization have a particular interest in how politicians vote on proposed laws? Are there certain politicians you feel better represent your organization’s interests over others? One way organizations can make their members or followers aware of how politicians are voting on select issues of importance is to distribute legislative scorecards. Legislative scorecards are …
“Collaboration” is a huge buzz word these days in the nonprofit world. There can be great reasons for nonprofits to collaborate – pursuing funding sources available only to collaborators is just one of those reasons. But what does it really mean to “collaborate.” And what are the benefits and challenges of collaboration for a nonprofit? …
Your organization has grown and you now need your own building, or a bigger building, and you have the funds to buy rather than rent. You’ve bought a house before, or have at least seen people do it on TV, and it seems so simple! Surely buying a commercial building isn’t much different? Unfortunately (unless …
The VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 allows employers, including nonprofits, to claim a tax credit when they hire a qualified veteran. This tax credit was recently extended until December 31, 2013. This legal alert answers questions nonprofit employers may have about how the tax credit works and how to apply for it. Click …
From the EEOC and DOL to the ADA, ADEA and EPA, labor & employment law is full of acronyms and, more importantly, puddles of mud into which employers can step. It is crucial for any business, whether for profit or not-for-profit, to understand the requirements and obligations that any employer has. During this presentation, Georgia …
Starting January 2014, changes to the rules for lobbyists in Georgia will go into effect and nonprofits that lobby should pay attention as the fines for noncompliance are significant. Even if your employees, contractors and volunteers have not had to register as lobbyists in the past, the updated law may require them to register. The …
Imagine that you have volunteers who prepare the latest, greatest materials for your organization’s new program. Photos were taken, brochures are hot off the press, and training manuals are ready for distribution. You may ask yourself – how can I use these great materials for other future programs? Within this question lies a common, but …
Does your nonprofit own real property? Does it plan to purchase real property (or hope to have it donated)? If so, don’t assume that your nonprofit will not have to pay property tax. Real property owned by a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization in Georgia is not automatically exempt from property tax. The property must qualify …
When the one year delay in employer reporting and “pay or play” penalties was announced, many employers thought they could stop compliance considerations for a year at least. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is not going away and most provisions are effective January 1, 2014. ACA applies to employers, including nonprofits, and to essentially all …
Payroll tax mistakes can result in IRS audits and costly penalties for your nonprofit. The IRS is paying more and more attention to payroll tax compliance by employers, including nonprofits. To make matters worse, nonprofit managers and directors can be held personally liable for unpaid payroll taxes and penalties. Learn the basics of payroll taxes …
If you receive a subpoena, summons, writ of garnishment, notice of government investigation or similar document, seek legal counsel as quickly as possible. Whatever you do, do not ignore legal papers. The problem will not go away and will probably get worse. Read this important article for more information.
Has your nonprofit ever received a garnishment order? Do you know what to do if you get one? Any employer could potentially receive a garnishment order. Wage garnishment generally occurs when an employer is required by a court to withhold the earnings of an employee for the payment of the employee’s debt (such as taxes …
Nonprofit employees are often motivated not only by a paycheck, but by a passion for the organization that employs them. Such employees may feel inspired to contribute to their organization outside of their normal working day, in a volunteer capacity. Although these arrangements can benefit all involved, employers must approach them with caution. When certain …
Have you ever shopped at a store or eaten at a restaurant that was operated by a nonprofit? Many organizations that have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status conduct such commercial business activities in order to provide training opportunities for clients and make money for their ongoing programming. Such organizations do not have to any pay Federal income …
In the current economy, nonprofit organizations are looking for creative ways to raise money. But nonprofits should be aware of the many legal requirements that govern fundraising, both from the IRS and the State of Georgia. Arm yourself with information to avoid problems down the road. This webcast will briefly discuss the required “paperwork” (including …
The U.S. Tax Court recently ruled that an individual who had donated over $22,000 to his church could not take a tax deduction for the contribution because the church had not sent the donor the proper acknowledgment. According to the IRS, 501(c)(3) organizations must send a contemporaneous written acknowledgment to donors of over $250 stating: …
Many nonprofit organizations provide child care services for parents participating in their programs. These organizations may need to get a state license to operate a day care or they may qualify for an exemption. Even if an organization is exempt from state licensing requirements, their county and city may have additional requirements. This article explains …
In case you haven’t noticed the activity under the gold dome, the Georgia State Legislature is in session. You might be wondering what your nonprofit organization can do to influence the legislature. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status should be familiar with the IRS restrictions on their lobbying activities (and the lack of restrictions on advocacy). …
Risk management does not represent the most exciting or inspiring part of a nonprofit organization’s work. However, it is as crucial as any other task a nonprofit undertakes, because good risk management ensures that the nonprofit will have enough assets to carry out its mission. It also ensures that the nonprofit’s actions will not harm …
December 2024 update: For information on a recent Georgia Supreme Court ruling on open records, see THIS ARTICLE. Is your nonprofit required to allow public access to its records and meetings? Under Georgia law, government agencies and even some nonprofits are required to make certain public disclosures. The Open Records Act and the Open Meetings …
While many nonprofits use the term member to mean supporter, donor, participant or friend, the term “member” actually has a technical definition under Georgia law. Deciding on whether or not your organization should have members in a legal sense is important because it affects who controls the organization. Learn more about what it means to …
Nonprofits cannot survive without the help of volunteers, but they should be aware of and plan for the possible legal risks of working with volunteers. In this encore presentation of a popular workshop, our speaker discusses those risks and then give practical advice about ways to minimize them. Topics to be covered include: • Volunteer …