“I cannot begin to thank you enough for finding Dick for us. To no one’s surprise, he was thoughtful, patient, and a total pleasure to deal with. As a result of his efforts we will now be able to start aggressive fundraising for our work.” – Lynn Girton, Vice-Chair, Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
In 2008, the Massachusetts State Legislature created the Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Known as the Grandparents Commission, the group was designed to provide education, resources, and other support to grandparents who were full-time guardians for their grandchildren.
Though the Commission was originally created to be run by volunteers, using funds appropriated by the state government, the Commissioners recently agreed that the group could be more effective if it could fundraise and distribute money to the nearly 40 nonprofits throughout the state that support grandparents and other guardians.
After the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging (MCOA) agreed to act as fiscal sponsor for the Commission, Vice-Chair Lynn Girton reached out to the Lawyers Clearinghouse for assistance. She was connected with Dick Allen, a former partner in Casner & Edwards’ Nonprofit Organizations Law Practice who also served as an Access to Justice Fellow.
Dick proceeded to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Grandparents Commission and the MCOA. The document clarified the expectations of both parties and laid out the guidelines for their partnership, effectively cementing the fiscal sponsorship agreement.
Thanks to Dick, the Grandparents Commission can now receive donations via the MCOA and can in turn support nonprofits around the state.
Dick Allen has been volunteering with the Lawyers Clearinghouse since 2014, when he first signed on as an Access to Justice Fellow. As a Fellow, he helped the Clearinghouse train and mentor new attorneys, assisted Veterans Legal Services with governance matters, and worked on strategic planning with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. He and his wife Rosemary, also a former Fellow, continue to volunteer with a number of organizations, and the Clearinghouse would like to thank them for their invaluable work and dedication.
