Nonprofit

Guiding clients through all phases of founding and development

The Burns White Nonprofit Practice Group regularly counsels nonprofit organizations and provides them with timely and cost-effective legal solutions. We represent organizations from a variety of industries, including healthcare, social service providers, churches and religious organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit trusts, endowments, and public charities.

The team serves as board members and officers for a large and diverse group of nonprofit organizations. A few examples include: University of Pittsburgh, Dollar Energy Fund, Yale Club of Pittsburgh, Vincentian Collaborative System, Pittsburgh Hires Veterans, the John G. Rangos Charitable Foundation, Weirton Baseball Association and Ohio Valley Youth Baseball League.

Entity Formation and Dissolution

• Develop articles of formation, bylaws, and structure the board of directors
• Provide guidance through the application process for federal, state and local tax-exempt status including 501(c)(3) qualification for public charities, private foundations and private operating foundations
• Dissolution, merger, reorganization, division, and repurposing of nonprofits to adapt to changing circumstances and goals

Labor and Employment

• Counsel clients on issues related to employment agreements, employee or contractor compensation, employee discipline and termination, discrimination, harassment, pay equity, disability accommodation, workplace privacy issues, and employee benefit programs

Tax and Business Management

• Prepare and review federal and state tax returns
• Assist with tax reporting issues

Charitable Giving

• Structure trusts and restricted gifts

Real Estate

• Purchase and sale of real estate
• Secure and defend property tax exemptions
• Negotiate construction and architectural contracts, finance documents, and advise on commercial leases and licenses
• Charitable donations of property and real estate management
• Lease assignments
• Private operating foundation land management
• Exit strategies and risk management for organizations
• Risk evaluation of real estate gifts

Mergers

• Assist with mergers and acquisitions, affiliation transactions, institutional reorganizations, liquidations, joint ventures and expansions