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Partnerships to achieve the Goals

Please Treat the Information in the Digest as Confidential. Do Not Circulate Outside of the Lex Mundi Network.

If you are interested in a matter, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing Isis Bous and Allison Laubach through the “Ask About This Matter” button on the details page or directly (ibous@lexmundiprobono.org; alaubach@lexmundiprobono.org) and let us know which project(s) interests you. We will place matches with Lex Mundi member firms on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can view all matter summaries on the “Digest” page(s). To view matters by legal need, select the category of interest. See details of individual matters via the “Read More” link in a matter. To view all details of all available matters, choose “View All”.

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Advocacy/Legislation (4) Consultation (9) Contracts (5) Corporate Governance (3) Data Privacy (1) Employment/Labor (4) Finance/Fundraising (4) Intellectual Property (1) Nonprofit Governance (1) Regulatory (5) Research (3) Risk Management (4) Tax Exempt/Nonprofit (11) Visa/Immigration (1) Webinars/Trainings (1)

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8B Education Investments

CRA Credit Strategy Memo

Summary:

Draft a legal memo for a fintech serving globally mobile African students analyzing the viability of using CRA credits to support college towns through student lending programs.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: 8B is a social impact fintech enabling African brilliance to have a global impact. ​​They are the first company focused exclusively on providing end-to-end value to global Africans and envision a world where the frictions restricting African talent are eliminated and the continent’s immense well of imagination goes global.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

8B Education Investments, a social impact fintech focused on serving globally mobile African students, is seeking assistance exploring how Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credits can be utilized by financial institutions to support local college towns facing economic decline due to decreased student enrollment. The focus would be on enabling local lending to foreign students, with the proceeds going directly to colleges and universities with an aim to clarify that CRA credit should be based on the use of funds—supporting local institutions and economies—rather than the nationality of the borrower. They would greatly appreciate a memo that provides legal analysis, policy background, and strategic guidance that can be shared with CRA officers at banks to encourage adoption of this approach.

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Peer Defense Project

c3 Risk Mitigation Consultation

Summary:

Advise a youth-led nonprofit on mitigating risk to their 501(c)(3) status due to shifting legislative landscapes and explore alternative entity structure options if necessary.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Peer Defense Project is a youth-led, worker self-directed nonprofit which builds legal education, tools, and networks. Their website offers access to the Freedom Law School, the Help Desk, and the Power Legal Course.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):
Peer Defense Project, a youth-led, worker self-directed nonprofit that builds legal education, tools, and networks is seeking a consultation with a tax-exempt attorney in light of recent legislative threats—specifically targeting organizations that support student protesters, migrant workers, and wage theft issues. The organization is concerned about the potential risks to their 501(c)(3) status and is seeking guidance on how to mitigate risk and ensure compliance and sustainability of their work. They would also like to explore whether forming an alternate entity structure (such as a B Corp) would be a viable strategy and, if so, would appreciate advice on incorporation options and best practices for structuring their organization to continue their mission-driven activities.
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Buy-In Community Planning

ED Compensation During Budget Shortfall

Summary:

Provide legal advice to a California-based nonprofit on obligations and options related to temporarily reduced compensation for their Executive Director amid financial hardship.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: California, U.S.
About the Organization: The mission of Buy-In Community Planning is to support the well-being of people whose homes and communities are threatened by natural hazards by assisting them in planning for and relocating to safer areas. Using the power of geospatial data and participatory planning, they help communities design voluntary relocation assistance programs that are transparent, equitable, and environmentally restorative to ensure that no household is left in harm’s way.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Climate Action, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

Buy-In Community Planning, a nonprofit organization that supports communities facing climate-driven relocation is seeking advice from an employment/labor lawyer regarding their obligations to fulfill a previously approved salary for their Executive Director (ED). Due to cash flow issues, the ED—who is based in California—is currently receiving only half of their salary. The Board seeks legal counsel on their obligations under California labor law and potential strategies for managing or remedying this shortfall in a way that complies with employment regulations and nonprofit governance best practices.

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Fresh Approach

H-1B Visa Application Support for DACA Recipient Employee

Summary:

Assist a California-based nonprofit with the H-1B visa application process for a DACA recipient employee.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Fresh Approach is a nonprofit organization that connects California communities and farmers through locally-grown food, nutrition education, and climate-resilient urban agriculture.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

Fresh Approach is seeking legal support for filing an H-1B visa application on behalf of a DACA recipient employee. The organization entered the H-1B lottery and was selected to move forward in the process this year. They are required to complete the application process by the end of June 2025 and want assistance ensuring that all filings are accurate and submitted on time.

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Advance Native Political Leadership

Nonprofit Spinoff Consultation

Summary:

Provide a consultation on creating an independent entity for a nonprofit under fiscal sponsorship designed to support newly elected Native officials.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Advance Native Political Leadership (Advance) is the first and only national Native-led organization working to build a complete ecosystem of political power building in Native communities – leadership recruitment and support, civic engagement, research and data, leadership endorsements, and national and state coordination. Through their Native Leadership Institute, strategic partnerships, and research and data initiatives, they are building a powerful movement of Indigenous leadership to meet these challenges head-on.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

Advance Native Political Leadership is currently under fiscal sponsorship. They have both a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4) project. They are now seeking a consultation with a tax-exempt attorney to discuss the possibility of spinning out and becoming an independent non-profit. The team would like to better understand what this process would entail, and whether it makes sense to move forward at this time.

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Advance Native Political Leadership

Ethics Matrix for Politician Participation

Summary:

Assist a nonprofit designed to support newly elected Native officials by creating an ethics matrix to help them assess eligibility for participation.

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: AZ, NM, MN, MT, WA, AK
About the Organization: Advance Native Political Leadership (Advance) is the first and only national Native-led organization working to build a complete ecosystem of political power building in Native communities – leadership recruitment and support, civic engagement, research and data, leadership endorsements, and national and state coordination. Through their Native Leadership Institute, strategic partnerships, and research and data initiatives, they are building a powerful movement of Indigenous leadership to meet these challenges head-on.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The Advance Native Political Leadership team is seeking assistance developing an ethics matrix to help them assess elected officials’ eligibility for participation in their Native Elected Leaders Network. This matrix should provide a top-level ethics review of elected officials based on state and office, ensuring alignment with ethics standards for public service. This matrix will help the Advance Native Political Leadership team identify which leaders they might be able to invite to upcoming trainings, convenings or gatherings, to ensure they can cover travel, accommodation, and meals for participants and, in some instances, provide small honorariums. They are seeking assistance in the following priority states: AZ, NM, MN, MT, WA, AK.

If an attorney cannot assist with every state, the Advance Native Political Leadership team would appreciate assistance with as many states as the attorney is comfortable handling.

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Maria’s Literary Foundation

Review Employee and Volunteer Handbooks

Summary:

Assist an organization expanding access to books and literary programming by reviewing their Employee and Volunteer handbooks

Referred by:

  • Anonymous Collaborator
Jurisdictions: CO
About the Organization: Maria’s Literary Foundation’s mission is to build community by expanding access to books and literary programming in the Four Corners Region. They achieve this by hosting literary events that are accessible to a broad range of community interests and donating books to schools, families, educators, and community service organizations.
Legal Entity Type: Nonprofit/Charity
SDG(s):Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities
Legal Issue(s):

The team at Maria’s Literary Foundation is seeking assistance reviewing their Employee Handbook (17 pages) and Volunteer Handbook (12 pages). They would like to ensure they comply with both federal and Colorado law.

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Consultation Corral

Draft Template MOU for Volunteers

Summary:

Assist a team that has developed an online platform where tribal leaders and Native advocates can access Tribal Consultation opportunity information in real time by drafting a template MOU for use with volunteers.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: Corral is an online platform where tribal leaders and Native advocates can access Tribal Consultation opportunity information in real time. Their process automates the work of tribal governments and Native-led advocacy organizations to pull together Tribal Consultation opportunities. Corral is an open-government project geared at making Tribal Consultation communication and existing data work for tribal communities. Corral is available to staff and elected officials of Tribal Nations at no cost.
Legal Entity Type: Unregistered
SDG(s):Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, End Poverty, Gender Equality, Good Health and Well Being, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Life Below Water (conservation and sustainability), Life on Land (sustainability of ecosystems), Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Legal Issue(s):

The Consultation Corral team works with volunteers and advisors to develop the Corral platform. They are seeking assistance drafting a template MOU to use with future volunteers that set forth the terms of the relationship. Importantly, they’d like the agreement to address IP/data ownership and privacy concerns (e.g., certain information the volunteers access is confidential).

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SXD Inc.

Consultation on Fundraising Round

Summary:

Assist a social impact organization reducing waste in the fashion industry by providing a consultation on their next fundraising round.

Referred by:

Jurisdictions: U.S.
About the Organization: SXD is a New York design-tech startup charting a radical new standard: eliminate material waste with great design and bleeding-edge technology. The fashion and apparel industry wastes 92 million tons of fabric material every year. SXD’s mission is to bring such material waste down to zero while reducing CO2 emissions, preserving water, reducing material consumption, and empowering workers.
Legal Entity Type: For-profit
SDG(s):Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well Being, Partnerships to achieve the Goals, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Legal Issue(s):

The SXD team plans to engage in a fundraising round for the first time since 2022. They are seeking a comprehensive consultation with an attorney to discuss what steps they need to take/what documentation they need to have in place before engaging in this fundraising round.

They still have the contracts/documentation from the last fundraising round (including the SAFE agreement) and plan to pull the information together themselves. Afterwards, they would greatly appreciate assistance reviewing the contracts/documentation to ensure that it complies with applicable law and covers their needs. However, this is a secondary request.

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