Category Archives: Church and Not-for-Profit Law
What Do I Need to Do to Expand My Nonprofit to Other States?
If you aim to expand your charitable activities to multiple states, it’s important to follow all relevant rules in both states. You’ll need to take certain measures in order to maintain compliance in the state of incorporation as well as the additional states in which you will be acting. The requirements vary by state… Read More »
How Do You Start a Non-Profit?
Starting a non-profit is easier said than done. There are a number of formalities to follow and hoops to jump through in order to form your non-profit corporation, comply with all appropriate regulations, and obtain tax-exempt status. However, with the right legal guidance, you can get your non-profit off the ground and start pursuing… Read More »
Recommended Policies for Nonprofits
For better or worse, a nonprofit shares some similarities with a business. Like businesses, nonprofits are subject to myriad regulations, taxes, and certain duties to owners, employees, clients, and even the public. To protect your mission and avoid unnecessary liability, it’s important to implement and enforce good governance policies. Governance policies are living documents… Read More »
“Non-Essential”: Church Closures in the Era of Covid-19
My wife and I could feel our excitement mounting as we pulled into the church’s parking lot. We were about to attend our first, in-person worship service since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March. We were thrilled, but by the number of open parking spots, it was clear that others were still wary. Over… Read More »
Are Nonprofits Different From Tax-Exempt? What’s the Difference?
People often use the phrases “nonprofit” and “tax-exempt organization” interchangeably. While qualifying nonprofit organizations often benefit from tax-exempt status, the two terms are not synonymous. Not all nonprofits are tax-exempt, and not all tax-exempt organizations are nonprofits. Below, we discuss the difference between the terms “nonprofit” and “tax-exempt.” Reach out to a knowledgeable Illinois… Read More »
Not-for-Profit Corporate Status and Bylaws
Not-for-profit or nonprofit entities are entities that require registration with federal and state governments and have many of the same trappings as business entities. Nonprofit status does not mean that your organization can escape the need for proper corporate governance. Below we offer a brief overview of the function of nonprofit corporate bylaws in… Read More »
Attorney Service on Church Boards: Do’s and Don’ts
BY JAMES H. PLUYMERT Attorneys are often asked to serve on their church’s Board of Directors. This can be a wonderful opportunity to serve in a high-impact role for the Kingdom. There will be challenges and a wide variety of expectations about the attorney’s skills, expertise, and ability to contribute meaningfully. There will likely… Read More »