LEGAL ASSISTANCE for NONPROFITS and SMALL BUSINESSES
If you’re seeking free legal assistance related to federal funding, executive orders, or other federal administration actions, visit the Nonprofit Resilience Hub page here.
Examples:
Contracts, including those with independent contractors, clients/customers, volunteers, vendors, and business partners, etc.
Starting, merging, or dissolving a nonprofit or small business
Nonprofit bylaws and governance policies
Employment matters such as contracts, employee manual review, and classifying workers
Review of real estate lease or purchase agreements
Protecting intellectual property, such as trademarks, copyright registration, and trade secrets
If you are a nonprofit leader or small business owner seeking general free legal assistance (see below examples) - you are in the right place.
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We only support nonprofits that meet all the following criteria:
Have (or plan to apply for) 501c3, 501c4, or 501c6 status.
Advance race equity or serve a low-income or otherwise underserved population in Illinois.
Are unable to pay legal fees out of unrestricted, general operating funds.
Startup nonprofits (not yet incorporated or not yet providing services) must also provide:
A business plan
A proposed budget
A list of individuals committed to serving on the Board of Directors and an explanation of their qualifications for that position.
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Here are our eligibility guidelines. We take many factors into consideration when determining eligibility. If you are not sure if you qualify, please fill out the inquiry form and we will review your information.
We provide free legal services to small businesses that meet the following criteria:
Have business revenue less than $500,000 per year.
Are owned by individuals in households making less than 500% of (i.e., 5 times) the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Example: Persons in Family
1: $75,300.00
2: $102,200.00
3: $129,100.00
4: $156,000.00
Are referred by one of our business support organization partners (required)
Have a business plan if have been in business less than 2 years (required)
Have a transactional legal need (we cannot help with disputes or litigation)
Other criteria we take into consideration:
Does the business create jobs or provide job training for residents of low income or traditionally underserved communities?
Does the business provide a unique service to the community?
Does the business attract investors to a distressed area?
Does the business attract consumers to a distressed area?
Here’s how to apply:
Review the eligibility criteria
Fill out our Legal Request Inquiry Form
If you’re not eligible, we may be able to connect you to other resources. Please email: probonoworks@clccrul.org
Together, we can close the racial wealth gap.
We provide free legal assistance to nonprofits and small businesses in historically disinvested communities because we know how critical this type of assistance is to their success and to addressing wealth inequality.
Hear directly from one of our community partners, Entrepreneurs Academy, and a small business client, Zemi Coffee Cart, in this video.
ABOUT OUR ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAM
Our Economic Justice program aims to address the systemic inequalities in income, wealth, and access to economic opportunities by providing critical support that helps spur economic development in historically disinvested communities.
Racial inequities in wealth and opportunity are the result of centuries of systemic discrimination. Illinois was ranked the worst state in the nation for racial economic inequality, with stark disparities in income, employment, housing, and representation in business leadership.
Our Economic Justice Program works to close the racial wealth gap by providing the following to historically disinvested communities:
Offering free legal support to nonprofits to help them maximize their potential.
Strengthening community organizations so they can expand services.
Providing education and legal support to small businesses to build wealth and create jobs.
Advocating for equitable access to capital and economic development.
Library of Resources
Our information library can help address many of the most common legal questions for your organization.
NONPROFIT
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2018 Nonprofit Board of Directors Training Series
Nonprofit Board Responsibilities
Nonprofit Board Fiduciary Duties
Nonprofit Director and Officer Responsibilities
Nonprofit Board Conflicts of Interest
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Advocacy By The Book Training Series
Legal and Compliance Issues for Grassroots Advocacy Organizations
Financial Management Basics for Grassroots Advocacy Nonprofits
A Guide to Being a Fiscal Sponsor: Is it a Good Fit for Your Organization?
How to Get Pro Bono Legal Services for Your New Nonprofit
Dissolution of Illinois Not for Profit Corporations: A Guide
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Alliance for Justice has information on lobbying activities and 501(c)(3) organizations.
Arts & Business Council aids the Chicago nonprofit arts and culture community by enlisting business sector volunteers to provide arts organizations with assessment, training, consulting and board services that strengthen their management and marketing capacity.
BoardSource works to build effective boards of directors.
Charity Channel hosts online discussion groups and articles.
Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) provides video training, equipment, facilities and channel time for Chicago residents and nonprofit groups.
Chicago Community Loan Fund provides low-cost, flexible financing and hands-on technical assistance to community development organizations for affordable housing, economic/commercial development, and community facility space.
Forefront gives workshops and resources for grants and grantwriting.
Executive Service Corps provides volunteer consultants to advise and strengthen nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the greater Chicago area in areas of governance, management and operations, leadership development, and organizational transformation.
Idealist – articles, workshops and other resources for nonprofits.
Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services – Online filing center for nonprofits and small businesses, and search to see whether an organization is in good standing (up to date on all filings and fees, etc.).
Internal Revenue Service – Tax information for Charities gives info about the “life-cycle” of a nonprofit organization, as well as IRS guidance and updates.
Illinois Attorney General, Building Better Charities maintains a database of all registered charities in Illinois – can search to see your organization’s registration status, and provides links to Filing Requirements, Registration and Annual Report Forms, Forming a Charitable Organization, etc.
SCORE Chicago serves nonprofits by providing free business/operations counseling, management consulting, and low-cost workshops.
Social Enterprise Alliance spreads knowledge and builds capacity regarding social enterprise, builds social enterprise communities and networks, gathers and disseminates information regarding the impact of social enterprise, and advocates and promotes supportive public policy for social enterprise.
SMALL BUSINESS
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Allies for Community Business (A4CB) provides the capital, coaching, and collaboration entrepreneurs need to grow great businesses in their communities.
ChiBizHub connects a large network of primarily nonprofit service providers offering a wide variety of business-building services for small businesses.
City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection provides resources and information for businesses operating in the city.
SCORE Chicago serves small businesses by providing free business counseling, management consulting, and low cost workshops.
West Side Forward operates a number of business start-up, entrepreneurial training and business support services at no charge to individuals who live in and start their businesses in designated communities primarily on the West Side of the city of Chicago.
Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) delivers business services and financial assistance to empower women towards entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency.
