Launching a nonprofit is exciting, but the legal steps can feel overwhelming. As your attorney, we take the burden off your shoulders by handling the crucial details right here in Vermont. Our comprehensive Vermont Nonprofit Launch service is a complete roadmap that ensures your organization is set up right from the start, following all state and federal rules.

Our work focuses on building your internal governance structure: we draft your Comprehensive Bylaws and your essential policies, including the mandatory Conflict of Interest Policy and the Expense Reimbursement Policy.

For state and federal filings, we serve as your expert guide: we provide specific, step-by-step guides and thorough review of your client-prepared documents for key items like registration with the Vermont Secretary of State (which serves as your Articles of Incorporation), securing your IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN), and filing your federal tax-exempt application (IRS Form 1023-EZ).

We make sure the foundation is solid and compliant, enabling you to confidently focus your energy on your mission and serving your community.

Once your mission is underway, we're here to keep things running smoothly. As your organization grows, the need for clear policies and reliable contracts doesn't stop. We provide flexible, ongoing legal services designed to protect your hard work and keep you fully compliant. This includes drafting or reviewing all those essential documents, from Donor Agreements and Fundraising Disclosures to Data Privacy Policies and Record Retention Schedules. Need to sign a lease or a big vendor contract? Our expert Contract Review services ensure your interests are protected in every formal agreement. Think of us as your local, accessible resource for all the important legal check-ups your nonprofit needs.

Sometimes a mission is completed, or it's simply time to wind down operations. When a nonprofit must formally close, the process of dissolution has to be handled meticulously and by the book. We are here to guide you through this final, complex phase.

Our service includes drafting the required Articles of Dissolution to formally start the wind-down process. Crucially, we provide expert advisement on the entire process, including meeting all final state and federal reporting obligations and ensuring the proper, legal distribution of remaining assets in accordance with your bylaws and IRS rules. Furthermore, we can draft or review any necessary communications your organization needs to send to regulators or stakeholders during this transition.

We ensure the final step of your organization is handled with the utmost care, compliance, and respect for its legacy.