What is the Nonprofit Business Assistance Program?
Small and emerging nonprofit organizations throughout Wisconsin can receive up to two hours of counselling from a business lawyer at no cost. This service is provided by members of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin. Your lawyer can help to identify problems affecting your organization and develop a plan for solving those problems.
This program is provided as a public service by the Business Law Section. Participation in the Nonprofit Business Assistance Program does not imply further obligation.
What is a business lawyer?
TV shows and news reports depict lawyers as trial advocates at the center of controversial matters. While these attorneys play an important role in the legal process, there is another group of attorneys whose role is not as clearly understood - business lawyers.
Business lawyers help businesses and nonprofit organizations of all sizes plan for the future, avoid unnecessary or undesirable risks and solve a variety of complex business problems. Because business lawyers are familiar with the operation of many types of organizations, they are in a unique position to provide invaluable insight. In addition, business lawyers are needed to prepare or review important documents, implement and maintain the legal form of your organization, and structure and negotiate vital transactions.
Business lawyers can help small and emerging businesses and nonprofit organizations make the right moves to survive and grow in an ever-changing legal and economic climate. Above all, a business lawyer is your advocate and represents your point of view. Your participation in this free counselling program will show you the practical advantages your nonprofit organization can gain through the efficient use of a business lawyer.
Take advantage of these services for your nonprofit organization
Here are just a few ways that business lawyers can assist small & emerging nonprofits: Organizing Your Nonprofit - Corporate status
- Pros and cons of corporate status
- Application for tax exempt status
- Liability of officers, directors & members
- Drafting documents
- Bylaws
- Articles of incorporation
- Other organizational documents
- Labor matters
- Employment agreements
- Covenants not to compete
- Employee benefits
- Union relations
- Policy manuals
- Incentive compensation
- Protecting your ideas
- Patents
- Trademarks
- Copyrights
- Tradenames
- Licenses
| Operating Your Nonprofit (cont.) - Business planning
- Tax planning
- Budgeting
- Refinancing
- Analysis of new ventures
- Insurance analysis
- Networking
- Fundraising
- Rules
- Registration with the Dept. of Regulation & Licensing
- Real estate matters
- Environmental matters
- Securities law compliance
Dispute Resolution - Arbitration
- Negotiation
- Settlement & release
- Mediation
- Litigation
- Risk analysis
- Product liability
- Debt collection
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How to sign up
To sign up, please complete the Nonprofit Business Assistance Program Application online. Once your application has been processed, you will be notified of the business lawyer who was selected to address your problem. It will be your responsibility to contact the lawyer to schedule a mutually convenient time for a meeting. And prior to your meeting, please forward any additional information that might be helpful to your attorney. If you have any questions regarding the Nonprofit Business Assistance Program, please contact the Nonprofit Business Assistance Program Coordinator at (608) 250-6006. | 
