Resources for Clients

• Nonprofit Resources
  • Apply for legal assistance
  • Upcoming free webinars and workshops
  • Nonprofit Legal Guides
  • Useful links for organizations looking for 501(c)(3) status
  • Useful links for 501(c)(3) organizations looking to stay exempt

• Small Business Resources
  • Apply for legal assistance
  • Upcoming free webinars and workshops
  • Useful links for small business resources

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Attention Nonprofits: Don't lose your 501(c)(3) status for not filing your Form 990!

Most tax-exempt organizations, other than churches, must file a yearly return or notice with the IRS.  If an organization does not file as required for three consecutive years, federal law requires that the organization automatically lose its tax-exempt status.  Loss of exempt status means an organization must file income tax returns and pay income tax, and its contributors will not be able to deduct their donations.

All charities with questions should contact mgorini@phillyvip.org or click here.

Nonprofit Resources

Philadelphia LawWorks provides resources to organizations looking to start-up as well as established 501(c)(3)s. Please click on the links below to learn more.  If your organization is ready to speak with an attorney, you may submit an application by clicking on Apply for Assistance.
 

Upcoming Webinars and Workshops

• The ABCs of the Law: What Are the Legal Issues Your Nonprofit Needs to Know?

  Learn the basics of running an organization "by the books," what's in a contract and employment law. 

  June  6, 10:30 - 3:30
  *Preregistration required

  Sponsors: Philadelphia VIP, DLA Piper, Pfizer
   

• What Your Organization Needs to Know About Risk Management

  Feb 20, Part 1: Understanding Insurance
  Mar 20, Part 2: Buying Insurance
  Apr 22, Part 3: Filing an Insurance Claim
  May 22, Part 4: Loss Prevention and Mitigation
  All 12:00pm-1:00pm
  *Pre-registration required
  Sponsors: Philadelphia VIP, Kilpatrick Townsend, DC Bar Pro Bono

IRS Resources & Updates

• Required Filings for Exempt Organizations
• Electronic filing requirement for small tax-exempt organizations
• Form 990 Q&A [PDF]
• IRS Webinars Archive for Nonprofits
   

Legal Guides

• Model Board of Directors Orientation Manual (courtesy of DC Bar Pro Bono Program)
• A Nonprofit's Guide to Risk Management and Insurance (courtesy for DC Bar Pro Bono Program)

Resources for starting-up a nonprofit

If you are not sure if you are ready to start your own nonprofit organization, or are not familiar with the process of starting a 501(c)(3) organization, click the links below to learn about some basics like start-up costs, timing, and necessary steps.

• Starting a Nonprofit: Upsides, Downsides and Alternatives (NOTE: All applicants for VIP pro bono assistance must certify that they have watched this guide.)
• How much does it cost to start a nonprofit? (Hurwit and Associates' Nonprofit Law Resource Library)
• How long does it take to get federal tax-exemption? (IRS.gov)
• Steps in starting a nonprofit (Hurwit and Associates' Nonprofit Law Resource Library)
• Federal Grant Information (Grants.gov)
• Obtaining 501(c)(3) status vs. fiscal sponsorship
• The Philadelphia Nonprofit Capacity-Building Collaborative Resource Guide for Nonprofit Organizations

Resources for staying exempt

• LawWorks' 7 Tips for Staying Exempt, presented by LaSalle Nonprofit Center
• Stay Exempt - Tax Basics for 501(c)(3)s: An Online Workshop
• Pennsylvania Assocation of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) Educational Resources - a guide for filing the annual Form 990
• Public Charity Compliance Guide
• Guidestar.org
• Pennsylvania Attorney General Guidance for Nonprofits
• Audit Committee Toolkit for Nonprofit Organizations (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)
   

Links for Philadelphia Nonprofits and Community Groups

• Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia
• Community Accountants (Pro Bono accounting services)
• Mayor's Office of Community Services (City of Philadelphia)
• New Beginnings (nonprofit incubator)
• Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University
• Npower (technical assistance for nonprofits)
• Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
• Regional Foundation Center (Free Library of Philadelphia)
• RSVP of Montgomery County
• Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC)
• Volunteer Accountants for Nonprofits (Pro Bono accounting services)

Small Business Resources

Philadelphia LawWorks provides resources to small businesses. Please click on the links below to learn more.  If you are ready to speak with an attorney about your business, you may submit an application by clicking on Apply for Assistance

Upcoming Webinars and Workshops

• Small Business Legal Roundtable, hosted by the Enterprise Center
  Speak with knowledeable attorneys in the areas of choosing a legal entity, how and why to start a nonprofit, employment law, how to buy and sell your business and protecting your intellectual property. 

  Wed, May 22, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
  *Preregistration required

• Small Business Legal Clinic, hosted by Blank Rome
  Meet one-on-one with a business law attorney - for free! 
  Wed, May 22, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
  *Preregistration required

   

Resources for Philadelphia Small Businesses

• Department of Licenses and Inspections
  City of Philadelphia's L&I Department website.
• Empowerment Group
  Assists local entrepreneurs in North Philadelphia.
• The Enterprise Center
  Assists local entrepreneurs in West Philadelphia.
• Entrepreneur's Guide: Starting and Growing a Business in Pennsylvania. [PDF]
  Commonwealth of PA.
• Entrepreneur Works
  Provides entrepreneurs with access to capital, one-on-one technical assistance, business training & networking opportunities
• FINANTA
  A community lender including peer-to-peer loans and small business counseling.
• IRS Video Portal
  Archive of IRS webinars for small buiness owners.
• Mayor's Business Action Team
  City of Philadelphia small business program.
• The Merchants Fund
  Provides charitable gifts to business persons facing financial hardship.

• NewPA.com
  PA Department of Community and Economic Development.
• PA Open for Business
  Commonwealth of PA information and resources.
• Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers
  Provides a list of Small Business Development Centers.
• Prosper
  Peer-to-peer lending site for small businesses.
• SBA
  The U.S. Small Business Administration.
• SCORE Philadelphia
  Provides free and confidential business advice and counseling.

• Small Business Clinic
  University of Pennsylvania Law School program that offers no-cost assistance to small businesses.

• Women's Business Development Center
  Provides resources to entrepreneurs and business owners looking to expand.
• Women's Opportunities Resource Center
  Provides training, individual business assistance, job placement, and access to business and financial resources.