Where can I find "pro bono" tax or legal assistance for my nonprofit?
If you have a legal or tax-related question, the Candid Support Team might be able to point you to resources for informational purposes only, but we cannot give specific legal or tax advice. For definitive answers, you should consult an attorney or accountant.
At the end of this article are lists of pro bono legal service providers compiled by other organizations. If you cannot find legal services with these lists, here are some ways to find free or low-cost legal services for nonprofits in your area:
- Local bar associations may have pro bono programs and/or referral services.
- Your state's nonprofit association might have referral services to attorneys, accountants, and other nonprofit consultants.
- Lawyers.com or LegalMatch lets you search by state, province, or city for attorneys specializing in your legal issue. You will need to ask individual lawyers about their pro bono services.
Powered by Pro Bono: The Nonprofits Step-by-Step Guide to Scoping, Securing, Managing, and Scaling Pro Bono Resources is Taproot Foundation's how-to guide for bringing capacity building resources into your nonprofit.
Beyond Cash Guide for Nonprofit Boards is a guide on how nonprofit boards can tap pro bono and in-kind resources, co-written by Taproot Foundation and BoardSource.
Please note that some providers may charge nominal fees to defray costs, or limit their services to nonprofits in specific fields, like arts or human services. Contact providers directly or visit their web sites to learn about their requirements.
If you are paying someone to prepare your IRS forms (e.g., Form 990 or Form 1023), s/he must have a current Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Providers who prepare these forms without compensation are not required to have a PTIN. Learn more about PTIN requirements.
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MovingWorlds.org
Low-to-No Cost Solutions for Nonprofits
Nonprofit organizations can register on the MovingWorlds.org site to post projects and find professional experts willing to volunteer and support your cause.
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Pro Bono Partnership
Pro Bono Partnership provides free business and transactional legal services to nonprofit organizations serving the disadvantaged or enhancing the quality of life in neighborhoods in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
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The Nonprofit CPAs
Find an Advisor
Ask questions re: accounting, tax, regulatory issue, or other nonprofit organizational issues via email or phone. Get answers from NPAC members for free, unless extensive analysis or research is required.
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LegalMatch
Free matching service to find lawyers in your city or county based on the specifics of your case and the lawyer's location and area of legal practice. Consumers are under no obligation to hire an attorney and choose from lawyers who are pre-screened to guarantee they are licensed and in good standing with their state bar association.
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Corporate Pro Bono
Corporate Pro Bono (CPBO), a national pro bono partnership project of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) and the Pro Bono Institute, is a resource for legal departments and in-house attorneys interested in doing legal pro bono work.
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FindLaw Lawyer Directory
This will sometimes include descriptions or citations of cases handled by an individual lawyer in its lawyer directory.
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Nonprofit Law Blog
Contributors are law professors from U.S. law schools.
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Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Services for Artists
Many states have groups of volunteer lawyers that provide free legal services to artists and nonprofit art organizations. Check here to see if your state is listed.
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Taproot Foundation
The Taproot Foundation is a leading nonprofit marketing and technology consulting firm. The foundation's work is offered pro bono in a competitive grantmaking process.
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Green Pro Bono
Green Pro Bono acts as a clearinghouse to connect nonprofits and social entrepreneurs who are working to address climate change with legal professionals to help them accomplish their mission.
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Staff pick
Lawyers Alliance for New York
Pro Bono Providers Nationwide
Lists providers of pro bono legal services to nonprofits in these states: CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, PA, TX, VA, WA.