Legal, Compliance & Transparency

Effective Nonprofits are created and maintained for the benefit of the public, and pursue that which is fair, equitable and just. An effective nonprofit not only meets the requirements of the law, but also follows ethical practices and is formed and maintained for the public benefit above all.

Professional Development and Learning:

Resource Topics On This Page:

1. Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Law (ORS65)
2. Starting A Nonprofit
3. Types of Nonprofits
4. State & Federal Resources
5. Bylaws
6. Conflict of Interest & Confidentiality
7. Document Retention
8. Ethics & Accountability
9. Fiscal Sponsorship
10. Mergers & Strategic Alliances
11. Nonprofit Insurance
12. Nonprofit Legal Service Providers + forms & sample docs

1. Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Law

Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Law - Oregon DOJ
ORS Chapter 65 Changes - What Oregon Public Benefit Nonprofits Need to Know - NAO & Partners (pdf)
NAO Handout - Changes to the Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Act - Center for Nonprofit Law (pdf)

2. Starting a Nonprofit

How to Start a Nonprofit in Oregon - NAO
SCORE - Free business startup mentoring
The Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Handbook - Cindy Cumfer & Kay Sohl
- Chapter Downloads
- 5th Edition Update - Changes to Oregon Nonprofit Law
Nonprofit Formation Documents - Nolo
Nonprofit Frequently Asked Questions - National Council of Nonprofits
How do I Start a Nonprofit - Am I Ready? - GrantSpace
- Nonprofit Startup Assessment
- Legal Essentials of Starting a Nonprofit
Nonprofit Startup Guide - Harbor Compliance
- Why a Nonprofit Corporation?
Choosing a Business Structure - Oregon.Gov
FAQ About Nonprofit Legal and Compliance Issues - BoardSource
Financial Projections for Startups: A How To Guide - CFO Selections
Who Really Owns A Nonprofit - Foundation Group

Registered Agent

Registered Agent for Oregon Nonprofit Corporations - Oregon Secretary of State
Nonprofit Registered Agent - Harbor Compliance
What Is A Registered Agent? What Address to Use? - Rational Unicorn Legal Services

3. Types of Nonprofits

Types of 501(c) Organizations - Harbor Compliance
Difference Between Nonprofit and Mutual Benefit Corporation - Legal Zoom
Difference Between Nonprofit and For Profit - UpCounsel
Difference Between Public Charity & Private Foundation - Cullinane Law Group

4. State & Federal Resources

Nonprofit Registration & Services - Oregon Secretary of State
Charitable Activities Section - Oregon Department of Justice
Starting a Charity in Oregon - Oregon Department of Justice
Statutes & Rules Governing Oregon Nonprofits - Oregon Department of Justice
IRS Charities & Nonprofits Section - Internal Revenue Service
IRS Compliance Guide for 501c3 Public Charities - Internal Revenue Service
NTEE Core Codes Overview - National Center for Charitable Statistics
Tax Resources for Charities & Nonprofits - BestAccountingSoftware

5. Bylaws

Nonprofit Bylaws - Nolo
Nonprofit Bylaws Template - Harbor Compliance
Nonprofit Bylaws and Samples - GrantSpace
Nonprofit Bylaws: The Do's and Don'ts - Foundation Group
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Nonprofit Bylaws - Neo Law Group
How to Amend Nonprofit Bylaws - Nolo

6. Conflict of Interest & Confidentiality

Avoiding Conflict of Interest on a Nonprofit Board of Directors - Foundation Group
Charity Conflicts of Interest: A Guide - Nonprofit Quarterly
Conflicts of Interest - National Council of Nonprofits
Conflict of Interest Policies: Disclosure, Monitoring & Enforcement - DC Bar Probono Center
Conflict of Interest Policies: Not Just More Nonprofit Documents - Nonprofit Quarterly
IRS Form 1023: Purpose of Conflict of Interest Policy - IRS
Sample Conflict of Interest Policy - BoardEffect
Sample Conflict of Interest Policy and Statement - Montana Nonprofits
What is a nonprofit conflict of interest? How can a policy help? - Cullinane Law Group

Confidentiality

Nonprofit Board Confidentiality Policy - BoardEffect
Sample Confidentiality Agreement - National Council of Nonprofits

7. Document Retention

Document Retention Policies for Nonprofits - National Council of Nonprofits
Document Retention for US Nonprofits - MissionBox

8. Ethics and Accountability

NAO Whistleblower Tip Sheet - NAO & Miller Nash Graham & Dunn
Whistleblower Protections for Nonprofits - National Council of Nonprofits
Ethics and Accountability for Nonprofits - National Council of Nonprofits
Preventing/Investigating Fraud, Embezzlement & Charitable Asset Diversion - Venable LLP
Public Disclosure Requirements for Nonprofits - National Council of Nonprofits
Public Disclosure Requirements for Tax-Exempt Organizations - Alliance for Justice
Public Disclosure Requirements for Tax-Exempt Organizations - IRS

9. Fiscal Sponsorship

NAO Quick Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship in Oregon - NAO
Fiscal Sponsorship Website - Greg Colvin
10 Questions Potential Projects Should Ask a Fiscal Sponsor - National Network of Fiscal Sponsors
Guidelines for Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship - National Network of Fiscal Sponsors
Fiscal Sponsorship: A Balanced Overview - Nonprofit Quarterly

10. Mergers & Strategic Alliances

5 Tips for Nonprofit Collaborations - National Council of Nonprofits
A Board Member's Guide To Mergers - Compass Point
Mergers As A Strategy For Success: Metropolitan Chicago Nonprofit Merger Research Project
Mergers, Collaborations, and Strategic Alliances - National Council of Nonprofits
Strategic Alliance and Restructuring Resource Library - The Power Of Possibility
Success Factors In Nonprofit Mergers - Propel Nonprofits
The Nonprofit Mergers Workbook - David La Piana

Public Interest Management Group

11. Nonprofit Insurance

NAO offers a member benefit with trusted insurance partner Bliss Sequoia Insurance & Risk Advisors.

Nonprofit Insurance Providers - NAO Business Affiliate Directory
Liability and the Board - Nonprofit Risk Management Center
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance: Why It's Worth the Cost - Nonprofit Quarterly
Nonprofits and Liability Insurance - BoardEffect
- The Importance of D&O Insurance for Nonprofit Boards
What Types of Insurance Should a Nonprofit Buy - Nolo

12. Nonprofit Legal Service Providers + forms and sample docs

Nonprofit Attorney/Legal Services - NAO Business Affiliate Directory
Helping Underrepresented Business Owners Program (HUB) - Tonkon Torp
- Application Form (discounted legal services for marginalized/underrepresented communities)
Nonprofit Corporation Forms & Sample Documents - Stanford University

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