Nonprofit Organizations

Our approach

Nonprofits are being forced to be entrepreneurial to meet the intricate legal challenges and opportunities presented today. To do more with less, while still meeting the growing reliance communities—both local and internationally—have on them.

We have partnered with more than 250 tax-exempt organizations—both in the U.S. and abroad—and provide pragmatic, creative solutions to help nonprofits achieve the strategic missions of the future.

From highly specialized issues to day-to-day concerns, we bring knowledge, understanding and sensitivity to all matters.

We understand the business needs of nonprofits today and the demands of the future.

We work with

Foundations—international, community and corporate giving programs

Charitable organizations—from small, neighborhood organizations to large, national organizations

Colleges and universities—from large public research universities to small private colleges

Hospitals and health care systems—from major university hospitals to large health care systems

Religious institutions—Catholic Dioceses, religious congregations, Jewish community centers, local synagogues and churches

Trade associations—from a major national association to a Washington-based association that has numerous local chapters

Museums and cultural organizations—from one of the most well-known museums in the country, to small cultural organizations within our communities

Professional schools—from large law schools and technical engineering schools to design and business schools

Get Connected

The Nonprofit Revitalization Act just became law in New York State. The Act affects nonprofit organizations incorporated or doing business in New York State, including both charitable and non-charitable entities. Leaders of these organizations have important decisions to make about the opportunities—and burdens—imposed by the new law. If you would like to contact a member of our Nonprofit Revitalization team, send us a note at: NPRevitalization@nixonpeabody.com. We are ready to share the steps needed to make sure your organization is compliant with the requirements of the Act.

Recent experience

• Aided an independent law school in its merger with a large university, which will serve as a national model for others to follow as this trend evolves.
• Assisted five universities in developing a collaborative super-computing center, using innovative financing through new markets tax credits.
• Successfully represented a large museum as counsel and advisors to the parties to craft the unprecedented agreement to showcase the renowned 1,100 piece collection of modern and contemporary artwork.
• Assisted a major national trade association in restructuring its vendor endorsements to maximize the tax-exempt corporate sponsorship revenue.
• Assisted a multinational charitable organization in resolving noncompliance issues with foreign-country payroll taxes.
• Assisted a national charitable organization in applying for and securing $1.7 million of cy pres damages from two different class actions
• Provide counsel to a foreign charity with fund-raising in the United States.
• Offer particular depth in matters involving charitable assets, their use and investment. Our attorneys are familiar with the nexus among the institutional advancement, investment and finance functions with charitable institutions, large and small, having represented institutions coast-to-coast on these matters.
• Act as counsel to numerous community foundations, with a focus on gifting of complex assets and grantmaking in the United States and abroad.
• Work with several major university endowments from coast-to-coast on the restructuring of their relationships since the market downturn, successfully combining our depth of experience in charitable fund management and investment counseling.