Doerner provides legal services to not-for-profit organizations, including 501(c)(3) organizations, public charities, private foundations, and religious and public service organizations throughout Oklahoma. Our nonprofit and charitable clients have included churches, schools, hospitals, social clubs, trade associations, children’s homes, arts organizations, and numerous other types of organizations usually organized as nonprofit organizations. Because our lawyers have served as directors and officers for a number of not-for-profits, we have hands-on experience and perspective on the issues that our clients face.

We are well-versed on the requirements for the successful formation and qualification of a tax-exempt entity. Our lawyers skillfully guide non-profit clients through the necessary steps to define their charitable purpose and their current and future activities. We take special care to help clients avoid the restrictions on their activities which, if violated, can lead to significant tax consequences or the revocation of tax-exempt status.

In the day-to-day operation of non-profit organizations, Doerner advises on all the important governance issues focused on mandatory public disclosure, best practice standards and codes of ethics. We advise non-profit boards on director fiduciary duty and liability (including conflicts of interest), and when necessary can help resolve conflicts among directors. Given our extensive experience with board concerns, we offer insightful advice on preparing proper minutes and filings and documenting management roles and responsibilities. We ensure that non-profits follow best practices in compensation planning, political advocacy, and fundraising, and provide full representation before administrative agencies that review non-profit compliance.

  • Advice regarding structural and operational issues facing not-for-profit organizations
  • Educating clients on various aspects of not-for-profit law and permitted activities of tax-exempt organizations
  • Structuring of tax-exempt organizations
  • Application for recognition of federal and state tax-exempt status
  • Advising on maintaining entity tax-exempt and legal status
  • Tax planning
  • Public-Private partnerships and other collaborative relationships
  • Strategic planning issues
  • Joint ventures with for-profit entities
  • Governance and compliance
  • Financing and donor relations
  • Grantmaking
  • Deferred giving programs
  • Regulatory representation
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