Legal Assistance

In partnership with the Young Lawyers Section of the Multnomah Bar Association, we connect 501(c)(3) organizations to pro bono legal advice on a variety of issues related to nonprofit governance and management. The Legal Assistance Project supports charitable organizations that address issues of concern to the entire community such as social service, environmental, health, mental health, arts and culture, civil rights, and educational groups. Due to limited resources, the project is not able to provide assistance to organizations that have a narrow focus such as sports teams, clubs, pet groups that support a specific breed, churches, etc. The project serves organizations whose budgets do not exceed $300,000 per year.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Legal Assistance Project, organizations must:

• Be located and registered in Oregon
• Have a budget of under $300,000
• Be a community-based nonprofit serving a broad public interest
• Have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

The Legal Assistance Project can help with:

• Employment issues (personnel policies, human resources, contracts)
• Real estate (leases, property taxes)
• Business contracts and transactions
• Organization structures (partners, mergers)
• Intellectual property (trademark, copyright, technology licenses)
• Review of bylaws and articles
• Taxation (advice regarding state and local taxes and exemption status)
• Advice regarding potential fraud or extortion
• Insurance and risk management
• Board liability issues

The Legal Assistance Project does not help groups prepare or file tax-exempt status documents. For more information about becoming a nonprofit, including guidelines and steps, visit our Helpline Online and read the frequently asked questions on tax-exempt status.

Download Your Application

Legal Assistance Project Application 2010-11 (PDF)
Legal Assistance Project Application 2010-11 (MS Word)