Brooklyn Nonprofit Lawyer

Nonprofit Attorney Serving Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn is home to a thriving nonprofit community that includes community development organizations, arts and cultural institutions, youth and education programs, social service agencies, religious organizations, and public health initiatives. Neighborhoods throughout Kings County, from Bed-Stuy and East New York to Park Slope and Williamsburg, benefit from the work of nonprofit organizations that address the needs of their communities. If you are starting a nonprofit in Brooklyn or need legal guidance for an existing organization, our firm provides experienced counsel on formation, tax-exempt status, governance, and compliance.

Our firm assists Brooklyn nonprofit founders and boards with every stage of the process: incorporating as a not-for-profit corporation under New York law, drafting bylaws and governance policies, applying to the IRS for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, registering with the New York Attorney General Charities Bureau, and advising on ongoing compliance with state and federal reporting requirements. We also help existing nonprofits with governance reviews, bylaw amendments, mergers, and dissolution.

Our Lower Manhattan office is accessible from Brooklyn via the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, F, or R trains. We represent nonprofit founders and organizations throughout Kings County. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your nonprofit legal needs.

Nonprofit Legal Services for Brooklyn Organizations

Not-for-Profit Corporation Formation

Brooklyn nonprofits focused on community development, arts programming, and neighborhood services all begin with the same legal foundation. The first step is incorporating as a not-for-profit corporation under New York law. This involves preparing and filing a Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Department of State that includes the organization's purpose, which must qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The certificate must also include specific dissolution language required by both New York law and the IRS. Our attorneys prepare incorporation documents that satisfy both state and federal requirements and position your organization for a smooth tax-exempt application.

IRS 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Application

Brooklyn nonprofits seeking grant funding and tax-deductible donor contributions need IRS recognition of exempt status. After incorporation, your organization must apply to the IRS for formal recognition. Most organizations use Form 1023, which requires a detailed description of your activities, financial projections, governance structure, and supporting documents. Smaller organizations may qualify for the streamlined Form 1023-EZ. The IRS review can take several months, and applications that are incomplete or poorly prepared face additional delays. Our firm prepares thorough applications that address the IRS's requirements and minimize the likelihood of follow-up requests for information.

Bylaws, Governance Policies, and Board Structure

Brooklyn nonprofits, particularly those with active community boards, need clear governance documents from the outset. Every nonprofit needs bylaws that define its governance structure: board composition, officer roles, meeting requirements, voting procedures, committee structure, and amendment processes. New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law imposes specific requirements on nonprofit boards, including rules about board size, quorum, and director independence. We also draft conflict of interest policies, whistleblower policies, and document retention policies that the IRS expects to see as part of good nonprofit governance.

New York Attorney General Registration

Any nonprofit that solicits charitable contributions in New York must register with the Attorney General's Charities Bureau before beginning fundraising activities. This includes online fundraising, direct mail campaigns, and special events. Registered organizations must file annual financial reports (CHAR500) and may need to include audited or reviewed financial statements depending on their revenue. Our firm handles the initial registration and advises on annual filing obligations for Brooklyn nonprofits.

Ongoing Compliance and Reporting

Nonprofits face ongoing compliance requirements at both the state and federal levels. These include annual IRS Form 990 filings, CHAR500 reports to the Attorney General, corporate biennial statements to the Department of State, and adherence to the governance requirements of the New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. Failure to meet these obligations can jeopardize your tax-exempt status or result in enforcement actions from the Attorney General. Our firm advises Brooklyn nonprofits on maintaining compliance year after year.

Nonprofit Governance Reviews and Amendments

Existing Brooklyn nonprofits may need to update their bylaws, restructure their board, address governance disputes, or respond to an Attorney General inquiry. We conduct governance reviews, draft bylaw amendments, advise boards on fiduciary duties and conflict of interest matters, and represent organizations in regulatory proceedings. Whether your nonprofit is well-established or newly formed, we provide the legal support your board needs to operate effectively.

What Brooklyn Nonprofit Founders Should Know

Brooklyn has a rich tradition of community-based nonprofit organizations. Community development corporations in Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, and East New York work on affordable housing and economic development. Arts organizations in DUMBO, Williamsburg, and Fort Greene support visual and performing arts. Youth-serving nonprofits in Brownsville, East Flatbush, and Canarsie address education, mentorship, and workforce development. The diversity of Brooklyn's neighborhoods creates both the demand for nonprofit services and a strong base of potential donors, volunteers, and community partners.

New York's nonprofit formation process is more complex than many states. The Certificate of Incorporation must be approved by the appropriate New York State oversight authority (typically the Attorney General or a state agency, depending on the nonprofit's purpose) before it can be filed with the Department of State. This adds time to the process that founders should plan for. Additionally, the requirement to register with the Charities Bureau before soliciting donations means your organization must have its registration in place before launching a public fundraising campaign.

Brooklyn nonprofit founders should also plan for the practical aspects of running an organization: setting up a board of directors that brings relevant expertise, establishing financial controls and accounting procedures, understanding the rules around executive compensation, and complying with employment laws if the organization hires staff. Our firm helps founders think through these operational issues alongside the legal formation requirements.

Why Brooklyn Clients Choose Agarunov Law Firm

Agarunov Law Firm represents nonprofit founders, boards, and organizations from our Lower Manhattan office. We provide practical legal guidance on formation, governance, and compliance.

• Not-for-profit corporation formation and IRS 501(c)(3) applications
• Bylaws, governance policies, conflict of interest policies, and board structuring
• Attorney General Charities Bureau registration and annual reporting
• Accessible from Brooklyn via 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, F, or R trains
• Licensed in both New York and New Jersey for organizations operating across state lines

How Our Nonprofit Formation Process Works

• Step 1: Consultation. We discuss your organization's mission, planned activities, governance structure, and fundraising plans. This consultation is free.
• Step 2: Incorporation. We prepare and file your Certificate of Incorporation as a New York not-for-profit corporation, including the required purpose and dissolution language.
• Step 3: Governance Documents. We draft your bylaws, conflict of interest policy, and other governance documents that comply with New York law and IRS expectations.
• Step 4: Tax-Exempt Application. We prepare and file your IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ for recognition of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
• Step 5: Registration and Compliance. We register your organization with the Attorney General's Charities Bureau and advise on ongoing compliance with state and federal reporting requirements.