Staten Island Nonprofit Lawyer

Nonprofit Attorney Serving Staten Island, NY

Staten Island's nonprofit community includes civic associations, youth sports organizations, environmental groups, religious organizations, and community service agencies that serve residents across the borough. Many of these organizations are founded by local residents and community leaders who want to formalize their volunteer efforts or charitable work into a structured nonprofit entity. Our firm guides Staten Island founders through the legal requirements of nonprofit formation, tax-exempt status, and ongoing governance.

We handle every stage of the nonprofit formation process for Staten Island clients: incorporating as a not-for-profit corporation under New York law, drafting bylaws and governance documents, applying to the IRS for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, registering with the New York Attorney General Charities Bureau, and advising on annual filing and compliance requirements. We also represent existing nonprofits that need governance reviews or bylaw amendments.

Our Financial District office is accessible from Staten Island via the Staten Island Ferry and the SIR to our Financial District office. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your nonprofit legal needs.

Nonprofit Legal Services for Staten Island Organizations

Not-for-Profit Corporation Formation

Staten Island nonprofits serving local civic, athletic, and community service missions all start with incorporation under New York law. 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

Staten Island organizations that depend on charitable contributions and community fundraising 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

Staten Island nonprofits with volunteer-heavy boards benefit from clear bylaws that define attendance, voting, and committee structures. 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 Staten Island 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 Staten Island nonprofits on maintaining compliance year after year.

Nonprofit Governance Reviews and Amendments

Existing Staten Island 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 Staten Island Nonprofit Founders Should Know

Staten Island's nonprofit community tends to be closely tied to local neighborhoods and civic organizations. Youth sports leagues, volunteer fire companies, civic associations, environmental groups focused on the Greenbelt and waterfront, and religious-affiliated charitable organizations make up a significant portion of the borough's nonprofit landscape. Many of these organizations are founded by groups of residents who have been operating informally and want to gain the benefits of formal nonprofit status, including tax-exempt donations, grant eligibility, and limited liability protection.

New York requires that your Certificate of Incorporation be approved by a state oversight authority before filing with the Department of State. The reviewing authority depends on your nonprofit's purpose. For general charitable organizations, the Attorney General reviews the certificate. For educational or health-related organizations, the relevant state department must approve it. Staten Island founders should plan for this pre-filing review, which can take several weeks.

Staten Island nonprofits that plan to solicit donations, whether through direct mail, online fundraising, or special events, must register with the Attorney General's Charities Bureau before beginning any solicitation. This is a requirement that many new nonprofits overlook. Our firm handles the Charities Bureau registration as part of the formation process so your organization can begin fundraising as soon as possible after receiving its tax-exempt determination.

Why Staten Island 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 Staten Island via Staten Island Ferry and the SIR to our Financial District office
• 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.