What kinds of community organizations does CDLC serve?
CDLC provides legal and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations whose missions include serving low-income individuals and neighborhoods. These organizations include:
- Community development corporations and other nonprofit housing developers
- Organizations that serve homeless and near homeless individuals and families
- Domestic violence service providers
- Faith-based organizations serving low-income persons
- Neighborhood associations in low-income areas
- Public housing resident councils and resident management corporations
- Other nonprofit organizations offering programs for low-income persons, such as job training, home ownership counseling, tutoring, childcare, substance abuse counseling, and elderly care
What types of legal service does CDLC provide?
CDLC handles cases in house and also acts as a referral service, matching volunteer attorneys with eligible nonprofit organizations. CDLC and/or the volunteer attorneys typically provide assistance to organizations in one or more of the following areas:
- Organizational formation
- Drafting incorporation documents
- Securing tax-exempt status
- Board development and education
- Directing strategic planning
- Ongoing operations
- Addressing tax matters
- Contract drafting and review
- Internal documents review and counsel
- Employment law matters
- Election oversight
- Revitalization activities:
- Corporate structure
- Financing
- Quiet title actions
- Community development initiatives
- Real estate closings
- Crime prevention initiatives
How do I determine if I qualify?
Thoroughly complete an Intake Questionnaire and mail it to CDLC. You will then be contacted to discuss your form.
What is the process for getting legal assistance?
Once your intake questionnaire has been completed and submitted to CDLC, you will be contacted. Your organization will receive one of the following responses:
- CDLC can assist your organization with its legal matter and CDLC staff will perform the service
- CDLC will connect your organization with a volunteer attorney who will provide legal service
- CDLC is unable to assist you at this time
- Your organization does not qualify for legal assistance from CDLC
How much do legal services cost?
CDLC is a nonprofit organization that depends on the generosity of members of the community and federal, state, and local grants for its vitality. Wherefore, CDLC gratefully accepts any donations given so we may continue to provide our legal services for free to qualified clients.
Where can I find other resources to help me?
Please see our Resource page for other information your organization may need.
How do I start a nonprofit organization?
According to the Survey of Indiana Nonprofits, completed in 2002, a joint effort by the Center on Philanthropy and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, it was concluded that there are more than 60,000 nonprofit organizations in the state of Indiana and over 9,000 in Indianapolis alone.
Saying this, your contemplation of starting a nonprofit/social benefit organization is commendable. Creating, maintaining, and growing a nonprofit is not easy. It requires time, energy, start up money, and fortitude.
Please consider the following questions:
- Have you researched all other nonprofits in your service area that are doing the same or similar activities?
- Have you considered partnering, collaborating, or volunteering with one of them to achieve your same goal?
- Is your contemplated nonprofit substantially different than other existing organizations in order to be distinguishable?
- Do you understand that you will eventually be “competing” with these same organizations for the same grant dollars?
- Do you have at least 3-5 people representing a myriad of skills, resources, and financial contacts who are committed to leading the nonprofit you want to create?
- Have you considered the idea that once you start a nonprofit, you will always be dependent upon revenue streams through donor solicitations, grants, etc. and, therefore, should have good fundraising skills?
- Do you understand that once you incorporate, your proposed nonprofit becomes its own entity and you no longer maintain exclusive control over it?
- Are you aware of the tax implications contingent with nonprofit status?
Click here for more information on becoming a nonprofit organization.
If you are still interested in starting a new nonprofit, please complete an Intake Questionnaire and submit it to CDLC.
How do I know if I should be a for-profit or a nonprofit/social benefit organization?
Deciding whether to be a for-profit or nonprofit organization is a big decision requiring careful examination. You should seek professional assistance but some points to consider include:
- Is your overall goal to make money?
- Why are you doing this: to help others or to market a service or product?
- Do you want to maintain total control over your idea/program/project or are you comfortable with decision making to be in other’s control?
Please see www.businessownership.org for more information on becoming a business.
Legal Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general guidance on matters of interest only. The application and impact of laws can vary widely based on the specific facts involved. Given the changing nature of laws, rules, and regulations, and the inherent hazards of electronic communication, there may be delays, omissions, or inaccuracies in information contained in this site. Accordingly, the information on this site is provided with the understanding that the authors and publishers are not herein engaged in rendering legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice and services nor has an attorney-client relationship been formed between the recipient and Community Development Law Center. As such, this information should not be used as a substitute for seeking consultation with a professional accounting, tax, legal or other competent advisor.