Blog

Effective child safety screening may warrant additional risk assessment, such as for further questions for applicants and references, and other investigation.

How can nonbinding agreements help nonprofits in contract negotiations? Should nonprofits use letters of intent, term sheets, or memoranda of understanding?

Several new state data privacy laws impact nonprofits. How should leaders proactively address legal compliance? Learn more about key recommended measures.

When and why do 501(c)(3) nonprofits need to provide charitable receipts to donors? Learn about IRS requirements for cash and noncash contributions.

What should nonprofits know about HR compliance and employment law updates? W&O Partner Jillian Nelson speaks at The Church Network's South Carolina event.

How do nonprofits stay legally compliant while using artificial intelligence in operations? Attorney Paul Winters addresses data privacy at the BMWL Conference.

W&O partner attorney Sally Wagenmaker will present nonprofit ministry workshops at the 2025 Church Ministries Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Is your nonprofit legally compliant? A legal check-up can help through corporate governance, tax, risk management, and employment legal considerations.

This article addresses options for LLCs within the nonprofit context, as well as LLC distinctives, formational aspects, tax treatment, and management.

Must employers disclose compensation details during the hiring process? Effective January 2025, Illinois' Equal Pay Act amendments warrant certain disclosures.

What do nonprofits need to know about beneficial owner information reporting to FinCEN? Learn about critical updates regarding the Corporate Transparency Act.

The DOL salary threshold increase is invalidated nationwide thanks to a November 2024 Texas court ruling. Learn about FLSA white-collar exemption litigation.

When and how should nonprofit leaders provide personal security for employees? May personal security expenses qualify as a non-taxable fringe benefit treatment?

May nonprofits limit individual liability of their officers and directors? Learn about exculpation as a risk-mitigation tool and related legal developments.

How do Minnesota nonprofit employers register a paid leave only account and complete wage reporting with the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program?

What information must be disclosed when soliciting contributions? Learn how nonprofits can comply with state regulated mandatory fundraising disclosures.

What does it mean to be a religious organization under federal tax exemption law? Attorneys Jonathan Hwang and Meaghan Falkanger address the legal aspects.

Attorney Sally Wagenmaker recently contributed to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability's e-book on “Answering Your Overtime Questions."

How does Mayfield v. U.S. Department of Labor inform nonprofit employer best practices regarding the FLSA exempt salary threshold increases?

How can churches balance the desire to integrate sex offenders, within worship and other activities, considering legal and risk mitigation concerns?

To what extent may Section 501(c)(3) nonprofits engage in political advocacy? Which activities are viewed as legally prohibited or permissible by the IRS?

The State of Texas isn’t bound by the DOL’s exempt salary threshold increase, per a new court ruling. Is that a bellwether for other employers too?

Effective January 1, 2025, the newly amended Illinois Not-For-Profit Act requires new public DEI disclosures of officers and directors for certain nonprofits.

Should nonprofits offer pre-tax educational benefits to employees? What conditions apply the Internal Revenue Code, and what are the best options?

What is legally required for property tax exemption under Illinois law? Is 501(c)(3) status enough? Avoid common pitfalls and learn more through this webinar.

Effective July 1, 2024, the vast majority of employees working in Chicago will be covered under the new Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance.

Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention's webinar addresses mandatory reporting, clergy-penitent privilege, and communications related to child abuse issues.

How should a nonprofit employer properly classify a worker as an employee versus an independent contractor? What does the Department of Labor say?

How should nonprofit and religious leaders respond to security threats and disturbances? What is legally permissible, appropriate, and will mitigate liability?

To what extent are nonprofits able to legally record meetings and other activities while mitigating any associated risks in today's virtual world?

Buettner Ruling: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status does not constitute receipt of federal financial assistance for purposes of Title IX applicability.

How long should nonprofits retain security and other video recordings? Key considerations inform policy and exceptions, such as litigation holds.

Salary thresholds for the “white-collar” and the ‘highly compensated” employee exemption will soon increase, as a result of the U.S. Department of Labor ruling.

How and when should nonprofits pursue major corporate changes? Learn how to avoid litigation pitfalls in nonprofit mergers from a recent court case.

How should church leaders navigate worship facility safety and security? Our blog series is aimed a equipping religious organizations with safety resources.

The Fourth Circuit’s pending Buettner case addresses whether 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status alone equates to Title IX’s definition of financial assistance.

How can ministry leaders best promote safety and address security concerns in light of increased hostility and violence at religious gatherings?

The U.S. Corporate Transparency Act requires the provision of “beneficial owner” information to FinCEN. Surprisingly, it applies to certain nonprofits.

Should nonprofit employers include mandatory arbitration clauses in employee agreements or use ADR agreements more generally? Are they legally enforceable?

Faith’s Law squarely addresses educator sexual misconduct of K-12 students in school environments. How do Illinois schools comply with resulting obligations?

Donor-advised funds are one of the most popular philanthropic vehicles in the United States. How will IRS proposed regulations further shape their use?

We are thrilled that attorney Clyde Taylor, lead of our Dispute Resolution practice group, has become a W&O partner as of January 1st, 2024.

On Hold: Chicago's new Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave's effective date is delayed to July 1, 2024, pending an amended ordinance release.

Will the salary threshold for the white-collar exemption be increasing soon? The U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposed rule aimed at doing so.

Thus far, 2023 has proved a banner year for new employment-related legal developments. What do churches and other nonprofits now need to consider?

Legal developments strengthen employees’ religious and pregnancy-related rights and shape “undue hardship” considerations. How should employers respond?

Tragically, grooming of children happens. The nonprofit sector is not free from these harmful tactics, aimed at eventually causing sexual harm.

May nonprofits keep their records private from the general public? Yes and no. Disclosure of IRS Form 990s and Form 1023 is often required, though not always.

The National Labor Relations Board recently issued a far-reaching decision in Stericycle, Inc. which provides an updated legal standard for employees.

It is estimated that 7% of individuals in the U.S. are subject to a wage garnishment. What should nonprofit employers do upon receipt of such notice?

The Braidwood appellate ruling clarifies tensions between employment discrimination laws and religious freedom protections for private employers under RFRA.

Nonprofits are advised to be especially attentive to emerging data privacy requirements. Six states adopted comprehensive data privacy laws in 2023.

How "friendly" are U.S. jurisdictions to nonprofits? Napa Legal's Faith & Freedom Index scores states on religious freedom and regulatory freedom aspects.