At your last fundraiser brainstorming session, that purse bingo idea was stellar. You advertised and generated a lot of interest — including government interest. Now the county treasurer is requesting to see your small games of chance license. Oops. Pennsylvania considers raffles, bingo, 50/50 tickets, auctions, and other common fundraisers to be gambling. Yes, gambling....
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Christine Kuntz in Nonprofit Organizations, Small Business, Uncategorized
Tune-Up Your Business Today!
September 25th is National Tune-Up Day. Just as you tune-up your heating system before winter arrives, you also need to periodically tune-up your business to keep it operating efficiently and effectively. How Do I Tune-Up My Business? Business Basics. Start with the basics. Your entity formation and governing documents. Re-read your LLC Operating Agreement or...
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8 Elements of a Great Employee Handbook
Do you wonder whether you need an employee handbook? Are you struggling to figure out what to write in your handbook? In this post , we discuss when you need an employee handbook and the 8 elements of a great employee handbook. Why have an employee handbook? An employee handbook sets expectations for the employer...
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What is the difference between “Nonprofit” and “Tax-exempt”?
Is there a difference between a “nonprofit” and a “tax-exempt” entity? Yes. While the terms are related, not all nonprofits are tax-exempt. Knowing the difference is important to directors, managers, and even donors. What is a Nonprofit? “Nonprofit” refers to a type of entity. Though each state has its unique requirements, “nonprofit” means the organization...
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How To Give Your Nonprofit A Legal Check-up
Legal check-ups are great tool for nonprofits to measure their compliance and avoid complicated and expensive legal problems. Many organizations understand the value of a legal check-up but aren’t certain how to do it and what it involves. Read this post to learn how to give your nonprofit a legal check-up. What is a legal...
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What are Employer Obligations under the ADA
Thirty years have passed since the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law. This law was the most significant piece of civil rights legislation for those with disabilities. The ADA offers individuals with disabilities important protections from discrimination in the workplace so they can pursue meaningful employment. Nearly all employers agree that individuals with...
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How to Create Enforceable Online Terms of Use
Many online businesses want to limit their legal risk. They publish Terms of Use on their website to limit warranties, control how and where claims can be made, and identify when they can revoke users’ use of the site. Are these agreements enforceable? Read these tips to learn how to create enforceable online Terms of...
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How to Legally Use Copyrighted Material in Advertising
Do you use photos, videos, music, or infographic in your advertising, social media, or website? Unless you are an intellectual property law geek like I am, there’s a good chance you may be unintentionally violating copyright law. That’s not good for business. So, let’s finds out how to legally use copyrighted material in advertising. Copyright...
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The Difference Between Bylaws and Policies
Is your board of directors arguing about bylaws and policies? Is there are difference between bylaws and policies? Yes, there is a difference. Determining which it should be is not that difficult. The answer is usually apparent if you consider the different purposes of bylaws and policies. Bylaws Bylaws are the primary governance document of...
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How to Dissolve a Nonprofit in Pennsylvania
Has your nonprofit reached the end of its lifespan? It happens. Funding dries up, the mission is accomplished, or more nimble nonprofits overtake the space. Whatever the reason, when a nonprofit no longer wants to operate, it cannot simply close its doors. Instead, there is a legal process to dissolve a nonprofit in Pennsylvania....
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Quick Guide to using a DBA name in Pennsylvania
Clients often ask about “doing business as” names, commonly known as DBA names. Given the confusion, I have put together a quick guide to using a DBA name in Pennsylvania that applies to both for-profit and nonprofit businesses. What is a DBA name? A DBA name is another name for a fictitious name. It is...
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Does My Website Need A Privacy Policy?
Clients often ask whether their website needs a privacy policy. If your website collects personal information from its users, then yes, you need a privacy policy. (This applies also to apps, so pay attention!) What Laws Regulate Online Privacy? The US regulates children’s online data privacy through the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Unlike Europe...
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Can I Trademark the Name of an Event?
Clients often ask if they can trademark the name of an event, such as an annual fundraiser, art festival, hackathon, or conference. Yes, you can trademark the name of an event if you meet the general requirements for a trademark. How To Trademark An Event Name While you cannot trademark the activities that occur or...
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How to Check if a Business Name is Available in Pennsylvania?
Clients often ask me how to check if a business name is available in Pennsylvania. Rightfully so. In order to register your corporation, nonprofit, partnership, or LLC in Pennsylvania, you must have a name that is distinguishable from the other registered businesses. On a more practical level, you want to check name availability before you...
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Pennsylvania Makes It Harder To Classify Workers As Independent Contractors
On April 22, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court made it harder for employers to classify workers as Independent Contractors. In the closely watched case, A Special Touch v. UC Tax Services, the employer (a salon) argued several workers were independent contractors. This situation was discovered during an audit by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor. However, these...
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