Nonprofits that need help navigating complex laws governing charity groups will have more legal resources thanks to the expansion of Charity Corps, an initiative that pairs nonprofits with volunteer lawyers. The joint initiative of the Attorney General’s Office and New York State Bar Association provided volunteer lawyers to 56 nonprofit organizations in a pilot program this year. Next year, it will serve up to 100 more groups. Volunteer attorneys assist the groups on matters involving corporate law, governance and compliance with fundraising requirements.
Of 80,000 charities in New York, only about a quarter have access to legal counsel, according to Charity Corps’ chair Lesley Rosenthal, who is also general counsel of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
