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August 17 is National Nonprofit Day, a day “to take some time to learn more about nonprofits” as it “recognizes the goals and positive impacts nonprofits have on communities and the world.” According to Investopedia, “[a] nonprofit organization is a business that has been granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) because it furthers a social cause and provides a public benefit.”
The Legal Information Institute has some great background information on nonprofits. Also, if you are interested in learning more about starting, managing, or dissolving a nonprofit, Nolo has many resources online:
Nonprofits: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/nonprofits
Starting a Nonprofit Corporation: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/nonprofit-corporation
For Texas-specific information about setting up a nonprofit organization in the Lone Star State, visit the Texas Secretary of State website. There, you will find links to resources regarding tax issues as well as a Nonprofit Organizations FAQ page. You will also be directed to Texas Community Building with Attorney Resources (CBAR) website which provides a Legal Toolkit for Texas Nonprofits.
Finally, we would like to highlight some local and state legal nonprofit organizations:
TexasLawHelp.org – Free legal information and sample forms for a variety of legal issues, including divorce, child custody & support, occupational driver licenses, name change, and more.
Lone Star Legal Aid - Legal services for low-income residents of Southeastern Texas in civil, non-criminal matters. Visit the LSLA website for eligibility requirements and to apply for services.
Texas Access - Free information and sample forms for non-custodial parents concerning access, visitation, custody, paternity, child support, modifications, and enforcements.
Beacon Law - Aid for homeless Houstonians with housing and economic legal matters.
Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence (AVDA) - Services include victim advocacy, victim safety, legal advocacy, counseling services, battering intervention, and more.
Texas Appleseed - Texas Appleseed's mission is to promote social, economic, and racial justice for all Texans by leveraging the skills and resources of volunteer lawyers, other professionals, and community partners to identify practical solutions to difficult, systemic problems.
Texas Crime Victim Legal Assistance Network – A network of victim service providers working collaboratively to help ensure survivors of crime access the free civil legal help they need to recover from victimization.