LEGAL ASSISTANCE for NONPROFITS and SMALL BUSINESSES

Nonprofit and Small Business Legal Support

Are you a nonprofit leader or small business owner seeking free legal assistance?

Examples:

  • Real estate purchase or leases

  • Protecting intellectual property, such as trademark and copyright registration

  • 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.

  • 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? 

If yes, 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

APPLY HERE FOR LEGAL HELP

Nonprofit Resilience Hub

This may include:

  • Risks related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and policies;

  • Allegations of discrimination;

  • or changes to federal grant-making requirements.

If yes, 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

Are you a nonprofit leader whose federal funding or tax-exempt status is at risk due to executive orders or other administrative actions?

  • Through this project we offer legal assistance to Illinois nonprofits that:

    (a) have 501(c)(3) status from the IRS, and
    (b) have operating budgets under $10 million.

    Please review the different options below to submit your request based on your organization’s needs.

    1. Please use this application if you would like to schedule a consultation with a lawyer. Once you submit the application, a staff member will contact you to schedule a consultation. Following the initial consultation, we will recommend next steps, which could include follow-up on recommendations, as well as more extensive services.

    2. If your organization primarily works on climate-related issues and receives federal funding from the EPA, USDA, or NOAA, you can opt to complete the intake form requesting services from Lawyers for Good Government at: https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/fund-protection-legal-guidance-request

    3. Please use this form if you need assistance with transactional legal services, such as nonprofit startup, dissolution or merger; fiscal sponsorship; contract drafting or review; lease or real estate purchase agreements, employment matters; or intellectual property.

APPLY HERE FOR LEGAL HELP
LEARN MORE - NONPROFIT RESILIENCE HUB

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

SMALL BUSINESS

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights offers a program that helps you understand all the legal and financial considerations in becoming a nonprofit organization.

We offer the Emerging Nonprofit Certificate of Training to program participants who attend our virtual bootcamp.

STARTUP NONPROFITS:

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Creating a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Tax Exempt Organization

  • NONPROFIT BASICS - Legal requirements and filings for nonprofits; alternatives to becoming standalone nonprofit.

  • THE BOARD - Roles, responsibilities, and fiduciary duties of the founders, directors, and officers.

  • PLANNING - Understanding the components of a business plan.

  • FUNDING - Funding sources and grant opportunities for new nonprofits.

  • BUDGETS - Reliable estimates of revenue, expenses, and employee costs.

For information on upcoming BOOTCAMP sessions, place your name on our waitlist:

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