Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2023-11-09 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-01-08 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay the fee, you may register for the workshop without it.
An essential overview of how to establish a nonprofit in Massachusetts and obtain a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, with key points for maintaining tax-exempt status. Strongly recommended for anyone starting a nonprofit. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the presentation slides and additional reference materials. Topics include:

For-profit or nonprofit?
What is a nonprofit?
Incorporating & structuring a nonprofit
Fiscal sponsorship
State reporting & regulation
Federal tax exemption
Ongoing IRS reporting & regulation

Presenters: Sue Abbott, Goodwin; Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston

CORI: What Nonprofits Need to Know to Help Their Clients (Virtual)
2023-11-15 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-02-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-05-08 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
*Note: This training is not designed to help advise nonprofits on their hiring practices. It is solely focused on assisting clients with criminal records.*
Registration: Sign up here. You will receive a Zoom link upon registration.
This criminal records training is intended for nonprofits whose staff are involved with counseling or offering services in the community to individuals who may have criminal records. It will address the following:

What exactly is a criminal record in Massachusetts? Who has the data? Who gets access to the data?
How can a nonprofit help a client reduce the barriers posed by criminal records?
What is the process to seal a CORI? Can I refer my client to free legal resources for sealing?
What rights do individuals with a sealed CORI have when they are applying for a job? Housing?
What is the process to expunge a charge on a CORI? Are there free legal resources?
What are the concerns for an individual with a CORI who has an immigration issue?

Presenter: Crispin Birnbaum, Access to Justice Fellow

Nonprofit Wellness Check Consultation (Virtual)
2023-11-16 13:30 - 16:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
*Note: Consultations slots are limited to 501(c)3 organizations.*
*Note: You may apply to attend just the presentation, register for just the consultation, or both.*

Application/Registration: Click here. Someone will follow up with you soon about your status.

Good governance and compliance are the building blocks for a strong and effective organization! Join us at this Nonprofit Wellness Check to get one-on-one assistance assessing your operations and creating a roadmap for improvement.
The Nonprofit Wellness Check is a two-part program. You may apply to attend one or both parts:
1:30 PM-2:30 PM: One-hour presentation on good governance and legal compliance.
2:30 PM-4 PM: Private consultation with volunteer attorneys.
Presenter: Shifrah Halevi, Lawyers Clearinghouse
Volunteer Attorneys: Goodwin

Free CORI Sealing Clinic (Virtual)
2023-11-16 15:30 - 18:00, 2023-11-30 15:30 - 18:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Do you need your CORI (criminal record) sealed or expunged? You may be eligible for free assistance from a volunteer attorney, conducted via Zoom video conferencing. Please note, this service is intended for people with Massachusetts-based criminal records.
Sign up for the waitlist here and someone will follow up with you. Please note it may take some time to hear back, depending on the length of the waitlist.
Questions? Contact Sean by email or at 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
How it Works:

To get started, fill out the online sign up form. Lawyers Clearinghouse will email you to confirm your registration.
When you get to the top of the waitlist, Lawyers Clearinghouse will call you to schedule your clinic date and get your consent to pull a copy of your CORI. Note: It may take some time to receive a date depending on the length of the waitlist.
On your clinic date, you will meet with volunteer attorneys for 30-60 minutes over video conferencing or by phone. They will share your CORI with you and discuss the eligibility of your record for sealing and/or expungement.
If you are eligible, the attorneys will work with you on filing a petition to request sealing and/or expungement and discuss next steps. If you are not currently eligible, they will discuss your timeline for eligibility. Note: It will take a few months to receive a final sealing and/or expungement decision from Probation or the court.

Free Legal Clinic (Virtual)
2023-11-17 09:30 - 12:00, 2023-12-15 09:30 - 12:00, 2024-02-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-22 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Do you need assistance with a civil legal matter? Does your household make under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level? We may be able to connect you with free assistance from volunteer attorneys.

Common case types: Eviction, landlord-tenant issues, housing discrimination, Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) denials and appeals, credit and bankruptcy, and tax issues. We do not take family law or criminal cases.
To sign up, please contact our Clinic Manager, Sean Thekkeparayil, to discuss your legal concerns in more detail:
sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org or 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
View the full 2023-2024 Clinic Schedule

Free Legal Clinic (St. Francis House)
2023-12-01 09:30 - 12:00, 2024-03-08 09:30 - 12:00 | St. Francis House, 39 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02111, United States

Nonprofit Conflicts of Interest: How to Identify Conflicts and Protect Your Nonprofit
2023-12-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You may apply to attend both the training and consultation, or just register for the training only.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay the fee, you may register for the workshop without it.
Conflicts of interest, if not managed appropriately, could violate a nonprofit director’s or officer’s duty of loyalty, raise questions for donors, trigger IRS penalties against the nonprofit and individuals, or even cause an investigation by the MA Attorney General’s Office.
Join us for this helpful workshop, presented by Michael (Mike) McGrath, a partner at the law firm of Ropes & Gray, who represents nonprofit organizations on a variety of transactional, corporate governance, compliance and regulatory matters. Topics include:

What are conflicts of interest—for small nonprofits and larger ones?
Should your nonprofit have a formal conflict of interest policy in place?
How can you protect your nonprofit from conflicts of interest that could compromise its integrity and result in sanctions or an investigation?

This workshop will begin with a 1-hour presentation on conflicts of interest from 12-1 PM, followed by an optional Q&A from 1-1:30 PM.
Presenter: Michael (Mike) McGrath, Ropes & Gray

Free CORI Sealing Clinic (Virtual)
2023-12-14 15:30 - 18:00, 2024-02-08 15:30 - 18:00, 2024-02-15 15:30 - 18:00, 2024-03-07 15:30 - 18:00, 2024-03-21 15:30 - 18:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Do you need your CORI (criminal record) sealed or expunged? You may be eligible for free assistance from a volunteer attorney, conducted via Zoom video conferencing. Please note, this service is intended for people with Massachusetts-based criminal records.
Sign up for the waitlist here and someone will follow up with you. Please note it may take some time to hear back, depending on the length of the waitlist.
View the full 2023-2024 Clinic Schedule
Questions? Contact Sean by email or at 617-544-3434 ext. 110.
How it Works:

To get started, fill out the online sign up form. Lawyers Clearinghouse will email you to confirm your registration.
When you get to the top of the waitlist, Lawyers Clearinghouse will call you to schedule your clinic date and get your consent to pull a copy of your CORI. Note: It may take some time to receive a date depending on the length of the waitlist.
On your clinic date, you will meet with volunteer attorneys for 30-60 minutes over video conferencing or by phone. They will share your CORI with you and discuss the eligibility of your record for sealing and/or expungement.
If you are eligible, the attorneys will work with you on filing a petition to request sealing and/or expungement and discuss next steps. If you are not currently eligible, they will discuss your timeline for eligibility. Note: It will take a few months to receive a final sealing and/or expungement decision from Probation or the court.

Nonprofit Bylaws Consultation (Virtual)
2024-01-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Apply or register here and someone will follow up with you. You may apply to attend both parts, or register for just the presentation. This consultation is open to both 501(c)3 organizations and prospective nonprofits.
Payment: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it is difficult to pay, you may forego paying it.
Bylaws are the core of nonprofit good governance, providing a roadmap for the organization and its board of directors. Join Lawyers Clearinghouse, attorney Brittany Besler, and attorneys from the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges for a presentation and consultation on nonprofit bylaws.
After an overview of bylaws basics, lawyers from Weil will review your organization’s current bylaws and discuss possible revisions. This consultation is intended for any nonprofit looking to review, update or create bylaws, from established nonprofits to those who have just incorporated.

1-2 PM: One-hour presentation on bylaws basics.
2-3 PM: Private consultation with volunteer attorneys.

Nonprofit Presenter: Shifrah Halevi, Lawyers Clearinghouse
Attorney Presenter: Brittany Besler, Besler Law LLC
Volunteer Attorneys: Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Nonprofit Business Planning: A Roadmap for Your Organization (Virtual)
2024-01-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay the fee, you may register for the workshop without it.
Do you have a vision for your nonprofit, but aren’t sure how to make it happen? Is your organization ready to grow or change, with a clear, actionable plan? Does your nonprofit want a dynamic way to present its programs and finances to potential funders?
Join us for this exciting workshop on Nonprofit Business Planning with Lu Valena, an artist and business person who founded a coffeehouse and gallery in Cambridge, co-founded a tech start-up, and recently founded a nonprofit art publication.
As a coach and consultant, Lu helps people write clear and compelling business plans—for profit and nonprofit—and put them into action. This Nonprofit Business Planning Workshop will include a presentation with plenty of time for Q&A.
Presenter: Lu Valena, Invisible Ink Coaching

Nonprofit Governance Check-In
2024-02-08 13:30 - 16:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Apply or register here. You may apply to attend both parts, or register for just the presentation. Consultations slots are limited to 501(c)3 organizations, but the presentation is open to everyone.
Fee: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it is difficult to pay, you may forego paying it.
Good governance and compliance are the building blocks for a strong and effective organization! Join us at this Nonprofit Governance Check-In to get one-on-one assistance assessing your operations and creating a roadmap for improvement.

Accepted organizations will be paired with volunteer attorneys who can provide legal information and issue-spotting related to:

Maintaining MA nonprofit status & IRS tax-exempt status;
Boards & governance;
IRS operational & fundraising-related requirements.

This is a two-part program. You may register for just the presentation if you prefer:
1:30 PM-2:30 PM: One-hour presentation on good governance and legal compliance.
2:30 PM-4 PM: Private consultation with volunteer attorneys.
Presenter: Shifrah Halevi, Lawyers Clearinghouse
Volunteer Attorneys: Goodwin

Free Legal Clinic (Cambridge Women's Center)
2024-02-09 09:30 - 12:00 | Cambridge Women’s Center, 46 Pleasant St., Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2024-03-07 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-05-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay the fee, you may register for the workshop without it.
An essential overview of how to establish a nonprofit in Massachusetts and obtain a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, with key points for maintaining tax-exempt status. Strongly recommended for anyone starting a nonprofit. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the presentation slides and additional reference materials. Topics include:

For-profit or nonprofit?
What is a nonprofit?
Incorporating & structuring a nonprofit
Fiscal sponsorship
State reporting & regulation
Federal tax exemption
Ongoing IRS reporting & regulation

Presenters: Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston; Alyssa Fitzgerald, Goodwin

Clinic in a Box®: Nonprofit Employment Policies
2024-03-22 10:00 - 12:30 | Mintz, One Financial Center, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
Application: Apply here and someone will follow up with you soon.
Apply to join us for this year’s in-person Clinic in a Box®: Nonprofit Employment Policies.
If your organization is selected for participation, volunteer attorneys will meet with you to review some key employment policies for nonprofits (such as anti-harassment policies) and then create policies for your organization.
Please note: Your executive director, board chair, or other senior staff or board member responsible for governing or managing your organization must be able to attend. If you are selected to attend, you may also be asked to provide copies of your current employment policies.
This event is co-sponsored by Corporate Pro Bono, Northeast ACC Chapter, Lawyers Clearinghouse, and Mintz.

A Friendly Walk Through IRS Form 990 and Form 990-EZ (VIRTUAL)
2024-04-17 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Registration: Click here. You will receive a Zoom link upon sign up.
Payment: Click here. The event fee is $25 per organization. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it’s difficult to pay the fee, you may register for the workshop without it.
Most Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits must file an annual information return (Form 990 or Form 990-EZ) or notice (Form 990-N) with the IRS*.
In this overview, attorney and CPA Brittany Besler will take participants on a user-friendly walk through the basic structure of Form 990 and 990-EZ, and explain which small nonprofits are eligible to file the 990-N. This overview isn’t a substitute for working with an accounting professional on your organization’s Form 990 or 990-EZ. However, it will help you better understand what the IRS asks for, and why.
* For organizations using a calendar year as their tax year, the filing deadline for all three forms is coming up on May 15. Failure to file for 3 consecutive years results in automatic revocation of the organization’s tax-exempt status. It can be reinstated by meeting certain requirements, but it’s better not to have it revoked.
Presenter: Brittany Besler, Besler Law LLC
About Brittany: Brittany Besler, JD, CPA, has been in the tax industry for over 12 years, and is a member of the Boston Bar Associations Tax Exempt Organizations Committee. Brittany works to find solutions to a client’s tax-related problem, with advice and opportunities to better manage their taxes or reporting requirements.

WISP Consultation (Virtual)
2024-04-18 12:30 - 15:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Application: Apply here and someone will follow up with you soon.
Fee: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it is difficult to pay, you may forego paying it.
Massachusetts law requires any corporate entity operating in MA which handles personal information (PI) to develop and enforce a Written Information Security Program (WISP). Apply to join us for a two-part WISP training and consultation program, where you will receive assistance updating or creating a WISP tailored to your organization.
This consultation will start with a one-hour training covering how to implement and maintain a WISP at the operational level, followed by one-on-one breakout sessions staffed by volunteer attorneys who will review your current WISP and make recommendations as necessary, or discuss how to develop a new WISP for your nonprofit if needed.
Presenter: Ann Westerheim, Founder and President, Ekaru
Volunteer Attorneys: Morgan Lewis and Bank of America

Consultation: Choosing a Legal Entity for Your Social Impact Project
2024-05-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Video Conferencing
Application: Apply here and someone will follow up with you soon.
Fee: $25 per organization upon acceptance. This fee supports Lawyers Clearinghouse, however if it is difficult to pay, you may forego paying it.
If you have a vision for helping people and making a difference, it is important to consider the different kinds of legal entities that might enable you to turn your idea into a reality.
Join the Tax-Exempt Organizations Section of the Boston Bar Association and Lawyers Clearinghouse for a two-part workshop and consultation on choosing a legal entity for social impact projects.
This event will start with a one-hour presentation reviewing the pros and cons of:

Working on social impact projects as an individual, or with a group of people;
Volunteering with a mission-aligned nonprofit;
Fiscal sponsorship;
Unincorporated associations;
For-profit entities (LLC, corporation, benefit corporation); and
Nonprofit corporations.

Attendees will then pair up with volunteer attorneys for one-hour private consultations to further explore the possibilities for their respective project ideas.
This event is great for anyone thinking about forming a nonprofit or other type of mission-oriented entity. Space is limited; sign up soon!
