Focused on their mission and directing all available resources to program delivery, nonprofit organizations often reach an insurmountable hurdle when they need business law services to formally incorporate or resolve other transactional legal issues. Additionally, some may be unaware of the legal intricacies involved in operating legitimately as a public charity. Nonprofits confront the choice of using their limited resources to hire an attorney, or proceeding on their own and risking liability.
For eligible nonprofit organizations, VIP resolves this dilemma by providing the free legal assistance necessary to form and maintain sustainable organizations.
Philadelphia VIP offers free legal assistance to nonprofit organizations through two service models.
Our Nonprofit Legal Assessment Clinics offer nonprofit leaders the chance to meet with a volunteer attorney for a free, one-hour consultation. These sessions provide a personalized assessment focusing on the organization’s most critical legal needs. After the clinic, eligible nonprofits may receive ongoing legal assistance with the legal need(s) identified and discussed at the clinic.
Visit our events page to view upcoming clinics.
Nonprofit organizations seeking help with a specific legal need can apply to VIP for full, no-cost representation by a volunteer attorney. Common issues handled by our volunteers include incorporation, tax-exempt status, contract drafting, trademark filing, policy revision, and zoning permits. To apply for full representation, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.
Note: VIP volunteers do not handle cases in which a nonprofit organization’s Board of Directors is in a dispute; leadership of the organization must be in agreement about the legal need being pursued. VIP volunteers also do not handle nonprofit matters involving litigation, short deadlines, or non-specific legal needs/general legal counseling.
In 2016, Kenesta T. Mack, founder of The Florencia M. Mack Educational Fund, a memorial fund awarding scholarships for textbook expenses to Philadelphia high school and college students majoring in instrumental or voice music, reached out to VIP.
Ms. Mack had established the fund in honor of her mother, Florencia, who passed away after a 70-plus-year career as a music teacher and church organist. “The mission of the fund is to preserve her memory by promoting the study of music,” Ms. Mack said.
I’ve learned that you have to ask for help – it’s out there for people who really put in the time and ask for it.
To be eligible for VIP’s services, a nonprofit organization must:
To apply for free legal assistance, please fill out the form below.
VIP also asks all nonprofit applicants to provide:
After you complete the form, a VIP staff member will reach out to you to confirm your eligibility and gather more information related to your legal need.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about the application process, please contact Ivelisse Cruz, Nonprofit & Small Business Coordinator, at icruz@phillyvip.org or 215-523-9565.