As your state nonprofit association, we are here to provide resources to strengthen your organization.
As your state nonprofit association, we are here to provide resources to strengthen your organization.
The resource below is a checklist of the necessary documents and actions to ensure that the organization you represent is properly protected from potential legal consequences. Like any document created to apply generally to a group, your organization may have other specific needs and issues that must be addressed. This list is provided as an outline for discussion by staff and board members charged with ensuring the continued legal compliance of the organization.
It is always prudent to periodically implement a “legal audit” to make sure that the individual needs of your organization are properly considered in your actions. Providing protection from the legal ramifications or every activity and action of the organization, its boards, officers, employees, and volunteers is an impossible task. However, this checklist is intended to provide at least the minimum consideration that will cover most circumstances you may confront. It should be reviewed annually.
Please keep in mind that:
1. The checklist is developed for publicly supported charitable organizations and not private foundations.
2. Supporting organizations are required to comply with other rules developed and administered by the IRS that cause significant additional compliance responsibilities.
3. Specially created trust instruments require specific legal expertise in interpretation – periodic consultation with legal counsel is recommended.
4. Laws change frequently and this listing is best used in Alaska by an experienced legal advisor because its publication is geographically and time sensitive.