Overview
Here to Protect and Advance Your Mission
Your mission drives you to make a difference. Receive legal counsel that understands your focus on what matters most, serving your community. Our dedicated nonprofit team works with organizations of all sizes, from local foundations and global nonprofits to trade associations, professional organizations, colleges and universities, and institutions across charitable, educational, scientific, human services, healthcare, and cultural sectors.
Our Approach: Proactive Guidance and Personal Support
We are closely attuned to the complexities of the Internal Revenue Code regarding exempt organizations and to additional regulations by most states. We provide proactive planning advice to help you protect your tax-exempt status and focus on your mission with confidence.
Focus Areas
Legal Counsel that Answers All Your Questions
Receive counsel on structuring holding companies, for-profit subsidiaries, tax-exempt foundations, public/private partnerships, and other types of collaborative relationships.
Ensure your articles of incorporation and bylaws, corporate recordkeeping, principal roles, and conflicts of interest are current and compliant.
Faith‑based organizations navigate distinct governance needs, shifting regulations, and mission‑sensitive risk areas. With Michael Best, you have guidance to address legal issues and strengthen risk management.
Understand your best options for fundraising with regard to fund solicitation, charitable registration under state laws, endowments, bonding, deferred giving, and estate planning.
Navigate executive compensation, tax, and ERISA issues; staff and employee contracts; workplace safety and accommodation requirements under OSHA and ADA; and employment issues such as harassment, discrimination, discipline, and termination.
Our tax advisors regularly advise in the following areas:
- Applying for and obtaining tax-exempt determination letters from the IRS
- Unrelated business income tax (UBIT)
- Taxation of lobbying and campaign activity
- Compensation of directors and officers
- Taxation of joint ventures with for-profit organizations
- Intermediate sanctions
- Tax matters related to private foundation classification, as well as the private foundation excise taxes
- Applicable operating requirements
- Disclosure of tax and information returns
Approach real estate-related questions with ease. We provide guidance on site selection, acquisition, zoning, development, environmental and tax assessment, construction, financing, leasing, and sale of commercial properties.
Gain insight regarding including concerted action, standard setting and certification, and other competitive activities.
Attain clarity regarding participation in lobbying and rulemaking and interfacing with regulatory agencies in connection with compliance, grants, and funding.
Safeguard your assets. We can help you protect your patents, trademarks, trade names, and copyrights.
