Nonprofit organizations are mission driven. They focus on the delivery of services to those in need, enrich our culture, educate students and promote the business interests of members. In many instances, nonprofit organizations accomplish these laudable objectives with limited resources, tireless, multi-tasking staff members and volunteer leadership.

The missions of nonprofit organizations and how they staff and finance their programs distinguish them from for-profit entities. Yet, just like a for-profit business, mission accomplishment and efficient use of limited resources require training of board leaders, implementation of best practices for governance, careful attention to tax, legal and regulatory issues, and efficient use of professional advisors who are deeply aware and committed the organization’s objectives and goals.

Tucker Ellis has made an organizational commitment to provide service to nonprofit organizations. We manifest that commitment through the volunteer service of members of our firm to many civic, social, cultural, educational and religious organizations in our communities. Our professionals and staff serve as board members, advisors, fund-raisers, volunteers and coaches in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. We are aware of the vital role these organizations play in our communities and actively seek to promote their success.

Tucker Ellis also serves as professional advisors to a broad array of exempt organizations. These include tax-exempt healthcare providers, educational institutions, charitable organizations, private foundations, religious organizations and trade associations. We bring to our role as a professional advisor the same institutional commitment and dedication to nonprofits which characterizes our firm as a whole. We are cognizant of the limited resources of nonprofit organizations and their need for efficient, effective and economical professional services.

Our lawyers who work with nonprofit organizations are not only knowledgeable about relevant legal, tax, and regulatory issues, but are also experienced business counselors who assist nonprofit organizations in effectively managing the myriad of business issues they face despite the lack of a profit motive. Our attorneys routinely assist nonprofit organizations in these areas:

• Qualification for and maintenance of tax-exempt status
• Business counseling
• Compensation and benefits
• Planned giving programs
• Governance, Board education and training
• Representation before the Internal Revenue Service
• Preparation and updating of governing instruments
• Tax and reporting issues
• Family philanthropy issues

In performing these services, our attorneys focus on the need for nonprofit organizations to manifest wise stewardship of limited resources. We are aware that assets devoted to professional advisors must be spent wisely and result in significant benefits to the organization. Our attorneys strive to become partners with nonprofit organizations – partners in helping them accomplish their mission and achieve their goals. We do this by providing efficient, economical value-added services. Our aim is to enable exempt organizations to deal effectively and efficiently with significant legal and regulatory issues while preserving limited resources to the greatest extent possible for mission accomplishment.