Publications and Frequently Asked Questions Click on a topic or scroll down to find articles and publications relating to: Background Checking Board Members Child Care Corporate Governance Employment Law Fiscal Sponsorship Frequently Asked Questions Fundraising & Registration Intellectual Property Issues Lobbying & Advocacy Privacy and Confidentiality Issues Real Estate Risk Management, Liability & Insurance   Child Care Child Abuse: Provider's Responsibilities and Rights (Connecticut) This article provides a summary of Connecticut and federal mandated reporting requirements for child care providers who have a belief or suspicion that a child has been abused or neglected. The Pro Bono Partnership wishes to thank Leonard D. Andrew Esq. for his help in updating this article, and Nichelle Brooks Esq. of Robinson & Cole LLP, for her help in editing this article. Corporate Governance The Independent Sector's Sample Code of Ethics Document Retention Policies –What Every Nonprofit Should Know This May 2008 article, reprinted with permission from the Community Economic Development Project of the DC Bar Pro Bono Program, provides a brief summary of document retention policies for nonprofits, and includes a sample document retention policy (as noted in the article, Organizations should consult with their legal counsel regarding local laws, and any necessary changes to their policy).   Employment Law Employment Law Guide for Non-Profit Organizations  Leonard D. Andrew, Esq., Richard S. Hobish, Esq., Editors This manual has been prepared for leaders of not-for-profit organizations and their advisors who are not expert in employment law. It should provide useful guidance in the preparation of human resource policies, and employee and supervisory manuals or handbooks. Call to Duty: An Employer's Obligation to Military Service Personnel Joseph Lynett, Esq. This article details an employer's responsibilities to its employees who are members of the Armed Forces under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). The Pro Bono Partnership wishes to thank Joseph Lynett, Esq. of Herrick, Feinstein LLP for providing this helpful article. Minimum Wage and Overtime Requirements for Employers of Home Care Companions Pro Bono Partnership This article explains that while home care companions are exempt from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of federal and Connecticut wage-hour laws, these workers are entitled to at least the minimum wage and overtime under the wage-hour laws in New Jersey and New York. Fiscal Sponsorship Fiscal Sponsorships: What You Need to Know about Using or Serving as a Fiscal Sponsor Pro Bono Partnership If you are considering serving as a fiscal sponsor, or would like to use a fiscal sponsor for fundraising, this is an important resource. Fundraising and Registration What Must a Tax-Exempt Group Do to Acknowledge Donations? Pro Bono Partnership An important feature of being a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code is the ability to accept tax deductible donations. There are numerous IRS rules that govern how to properly acknowledge such donations. This article outlines these important rules. Charitable Registration in New Jersey Pro Bono Partnership This article provides guidance to charities on the New Jersey state law that requires charities to register their fundraising activities with the State Attorney General. Background Checking Criminal Record Checking: Step-by-Step Guide for New Jersey Youth-Serving Organizations Pro Bono Partnership This article describes the procedures that youth-serving charities in New Jersey may follow to obtain criminal history background information on employees and volunteers. Criminal History Checks Nonprofit Risk Management Center A helpful article on criminal history background checking as one factor in the screening process. This article was prepared by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. Intellectual Property Issues Frequently Asked Questions About Trademarks and Service Marks for Not-for-Profit Organizations  Sue Nam, Esq., Vice President and Corporate Counsel, Prudential Financial This brief article addresses how trademarks and service marks can protect a nonprofit organization's right to use a particular name or logo, and reviews the process of applying for trademark registration. The Pro Bono Partnership wishes to thank Sue Nam, Esq., Vice President and Corporate Counsel, Prudential Financial, for providing this helpful article. Auditing the Non-Profit Website Copyright 2002 Geoffrey G. Gussis, Esq. Why do nonprofits need to have their website reviewed by a lawyer?  Geoffrey Gussis, Esq., of Riker Danzig LLP, provides answers to this question and important advice to any nonprofit that hosts a website. Lobbying & Advocacy Lobbying, Advocacy and the Law for Nonprofits: The tax law provides for considerable opportunities for a 501(c)(3) organization to lobby. Click here for a quick tutorial on the federal lobbying law. Election-related Activities for 501(c)(3) organizations: What activities may a 501(c)(3) engage in during an election? What’s prohibited? Click here for a quick tutorial on the dos and don'ts of election-related activities. Privacy and Confidentiality Rules Can I Disclose This Information? Complying with Confidentiality & Disclosure Requirements Reprinted with permission, CAPLAW June 2008 This article, by Anita Lichtblau, Esq., and reprinted with permission from Community Action Program Legal Services, Inc., summarizes basic legal issues faced by all nonprofits when confronting privacy and confidentiality issues. Board Members How Officers and Directors of Nonprofits Can Stay Out of Trouble Under The Excess Benefits Rules Copyright 2002 Lisa Nachmias Davis This article, originally published in the October, 2002 edition of Connecticut Lawyer, explains the IRS "Excess Benefit" Rules; describes how they affect nonprofit organizations, their directors and officers; and provides a useful checklist for board members and attorneys when dealing with conflicts of interest (While the article discusses the IRS Rules applicable to all charitable organizations, it especially focuses on Connecticut nonprofits).   The Pro Bono Partnership wishes to thank Lisa Nachmias Davis, Esq. for providing this helpful article. Real Estate Issues and Concerns for a Nonprofit Organization When Negotiating a Commercial Lease Stephen D. Millas, Esq. and Cristina Coronado, Esq. This article identifies and addresses the primary areas of concern for nonprofits when negotiating a commercial lease, either as a landlord or a tenant. The Pro Bono Partnership wishes to thank Stephen D. Millas, Esq. and Cristina Coronado, Esq. of Orrick Herrington and Sutcliffe, LLP for providing this helpful article. Risk Management, Liability & Insurance State Liability Laws for Charitable Organizations and Volunteers - 4th Edition Nonprofit Risk Management Center Good Samaritan Laws. Volunteer Protection. Volunteer Immunity. Liability Limitation. Shield Laws. Charitable Immunity. These terms, which have significant, as well as subtle distinctions, have been used to describe laws that protect people and organizations in the nonprofit sector from claims, lawsuits and allegations of wrongdoing.  Beginning with an overview of the liability environment, this fourth edition of State Liability Laws for Charitable Organizations and Volunteers provides a state-by-state review of the evolving landscape of charitable immunity and volunteer protection laws. The Pro Bono Partnership wishes to the Nonprofit Risk Management Center for their permission to post this publication. The Pro Bono Partnership Answers Frequently Asked Questions Read responses prepared by the Pro Bono Partnership’s staff attorneys to frequently asked questions.