Legal Issues
Because of the complex nature of foundation law, many families choose to hire a professional counsel to help them with the process of setting up the foundation and creating its governance structure. In some cases, your own lawyer or accountant will have experience in foundation governance and will be an important resource. In other cases, he or she can refer you to a colleague who has experience in these issues.
Here you will find additional perspectives and tips on legal issues in family philanthropy. For a wide variety of additional resources on this topic, search NCFP’s Family Philanthropy Online Knowledge Center.
WATCH: Learn Foundation Law: Working with Government Officials
This online course provides an overview of both the tax and ethics rules involved to help family foundation leaders to stay in compliance with the law.
READ: The Rules of The Game: A Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3) Organizations
This guide is a tool to enable 501(c)(3) public charities to participate as fully in the electoral process as the law permits.
READ: Recusals: When should board members excuse themselves?
If the majority of your board serves on another board of a non-profit, how do you make grants to that non-profit without a majority vote? What are common practices with regard to recusals?
READ: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest and Self-dealing for Family Foundation Boards
This issue brief features a collection of short vignettes on common questions related to self-dealing and a one-page referral checklist for board members and staff.
WATCH: Toeing the Line: Addressing Common Legal Pitfalls in Family Foundation Governance (webinar)
Featuring a case study format, this special webinar focuses on many of the most common legal pitfalls in family foundation governance. Friends and subscribers only.
Featuring a case study format, this special webinar focuses on many of the most common legal pitfalls in family foundation grantmaking. Friends and subscribers only.