Queens Nonprofit Lawyer

Nonprofit Attorney Serving Queens, NY

Queens has one of the most diverse nonprofit communities in the country. Immigrant-serving organizations in Jackson Heights, Flushing, and Elmhurst provide legal assistance, language services, and workforce development to newly arrived residents. Community development organizations in Jamaica and Far Rockaway work on affordable housing and economic opportunity. Arts nonprofits in Astoria and Long Island City support cultural programming that reflects the borough's diversity. If you are starting a nonprofit to serve the Queens community, our firm can guide you through formation, tax-exempt status, and ongoing compliance.

We assist Queens nonprofit founders and boards with every step of the process: incorporating under New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, drafting bylaws and governance policies, applying to the IRS for 501(c)(3) status, registering with the Attorney General Charities Bureau, and advising on annual reporting and compliance requirements. We also assist existing organizations with governance reviews, bylaw amendments, and board restructuring.

Our Financial District office is accessible from Queens via the 7, E, F, M, N, or R trains. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your nonprofit legal needs.

Nonprofit Legal Services for Queens Organizations

Not-for-Profit Corporation Formation

Queens nonprofits serving the borough's diverse immigrant communities and cultural organizations 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

Queens organizations that depend on government grants and charitable donations need IRS recognition of tax-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

Queens nonprofits serving multilingual communities often need bylaws that address language access policies and diverse board representation. 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 Queens 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 Queens nonprofits on maintaining compliance year after year.

Nonprofit Governance Reviews and Amendments

Existing Queens 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 Queens Nonprofit Founders Should Know

Queens nonprofits frequently serve linguistically diverse communities, which affects how organizations structure their outreach, services, and governance. Organizations serving Mandarin-speaking communities in Flushing, South Asian communities in Jackson Heights, and Spanish-speaking communities in Corona and Elmhurst often need bylaws and board structures that reflect the communities they serve. Some Queens nonprofits also operate programs in multiple languages, which creates additional compliance considerations for grant reporting and program documentation.

New York requires that a nonprofit's Certificate of Incorporation be approved by the appropriate state oversight authority before filing with the Department of State. For nonprofits with an educational purpose, this means approval from the State Education Department. For health-related nonprofits, the Department of Health is the reviewing authority. This pre-filing review adds weeks or months to the process. Queens founders should plan their formation timeline accordingly and not assume they can begin operations immediately after deciding to form an organization.

Queens nonprofits that plan to apply for city or state government grants should also understand the compliance requirements that come with public funding, including fiscal reporting, audit requirements, and program outcome tracking. Our firm advises Queens nonprofits on structuring their governance and financial controls to meet both private donor expectations and public funder requirements.

Why Queens 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 Queens via 7, E, F, M, N, 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.