Stop in the Name of the Law- Legal Issues for Building & Maintaining a Non-Profit

Duration: 1 day

Trainers: Jeff Stowell, Consultant, Community Systems Group & Co-Founder, Stowell & Mulligan Law Firm and Lou Mulligan, Co-Founder, Stowell & Mulligan Law Firm.

What is a “non-profit organization” anyway? The phrase means different things to board members, donors, grantors and to coalitions. “Non-Profit Organization” also means something very specific to lawyers and to the Internal Revenue Service. How a coalition navigates the minefield of laws and regulations pertaining to non-profits is one of the most important factors insuring success. Additionally, all the work you do as an organization from strategic planning and board development to marketing and fundraising plays a role in your organization's status.

This workshop will focus on four areas of law enabling you to build a better strong non-profit organization while using the existing products of your work: 1) Understanding how and when to move your coalition toward non-profit status, 2) Creating your organization under state and federal laws, 3) Applying for non-profit status with your state and the Internal Revenue Service and 4) Maintaining your non-profits status. Additionally, this workshop will provide strategies to help you use your organization's existing resources to fulfill legal requirements. Finally, we will discuss tips for choosing attorneys and accountants who can help you along the way.

Jeff Stowell Bio

Jeff Stowell is a consultant with Community Systems Group in Lawrence, Kansas and a co-founder of the law firm of Stowell & Mulligan which specializes in providing legal services to non-profit organizations. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas and the University of Kansas School of Law.  For the past 8 years, Jeff has worked with communities all across the United States striving to improve health and wellness. Specifically, Jeff has worked with communities to plan, implement and evaluate efforts to reduce substance abuse, improve physical activity and nutritional habits, reduce teen pregnancy and improve literacy. He has also helped communities use technology as a tool in their efforts to improve health and wellness.

Lou Mulligan

Lou Mulligan teaches law at the University of Kansas School of Law and co-founder of the law firm of Stowell & Mulligan, specializing in providing legal services to non-profit organizations. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas, a masters degree from the University of Colorado, and a law degree from the University of Michigan. In the past ten years, Lou has served as an undergraduate and law school instructor, as an associate at a mid-western law firm, and as an attorney for the federal court of appeals. Among other things, Lou teaches contract law and has represented several non-profit entities.