Does your nonprofit organization need help spotting potential legal compliance issues?  If so, you could be a great candidate for the new Nonprofit General Counsel Program offered through the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Clearinghouse.

The Greater Richmond Bar Foundation has been connecting nonprofit organizations with pro bono legal resources in the greater Richmond area through the Pro Bono Clearinghouse since 2001.   This new Program will involve matching one or more volunteer attorneys with the nonprofit organization for one year (beginning January 2018).  During that year, the volunteers will serve as mentors, sounding boards and legal issue spotters for the organization.

To participate in the inaugural 2018 client group of the Nonprofit General Counsel Program, the preliminary interest form must be completed and submitted no later than September 8, 2017.  To see if your organization meets the eligibility criteria and to request the application, please review our informational page on the GRBF website or contact our Director of Administration, Alison Roussy (aroussy@grbf.org).  Final applications (if found eligible to apply) will be due by October 6, 2017 for participation in the program.

Nonprofit Eligibility Criteria

 It is required that each organization applying for the GRBF General Counsel Program:

• is a 501(c)3 charitable organization or the equivalent
• is located in or provides significant services in the Greater Richmond area (Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Goochland, Powhatan, Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell);
• is in good standing with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, if applicable; and
• has a current GiveRichmond profile

Priority* will be given to applicants that:

• were incorporated in Virginia, if applicable;
• have an annual budget of at least $100,000 but less than $2 million;
• have been operating programs/providing services for at least two years;
• have a duly elected governing board that is in good standing;
• has operated with an Executive Director/CEO (or its equivalent) for at least one year; and
• assist low income individuals or low-income communities.

*Organizations that do not satisfy one or more of these criteria are encouraged to apply and explain why they should be considerate for participation in the program.

Want more information about local Pro Bono Resources – check out ConnectVA’s Pro Bono Listing Page!