Resources for Clients
Philadelphia LawWorks provides resources for nonprofit organizations and small businesses. Please click on the links below for assistance.
Attention Nonprofits- Don't lose your tax exempt status for not filing your Form 990!
Most tax-exempt organizations, other than churches, must file a yearly return or notice with the IRS. If an organization does not file as required for three consecutive years, federal law requires that the organization automatically lose its tax-exempt status. Loss of exempt status means an organization must file income tax returns and pay income tax, and its contributors will not be able to deduct their donations.
Athough the May 17, 2010 deadline for organizations that use the calendar year as their fiscal year has passed, the IRS is urging the many small tax-exempt organizations that have yet to file their required information return to do so. The IRS will do what it can to help these organizations avoid losing their exempt status.
This only applies to organizations with $25,000 in gross receipts or less. These organizations only have to file an e-Postcard/Form 990-N with 8 items of basic information; the Form 990-N/e-Postcard can be filed online. See http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=169250,00.html.
Organizations with more than $25,000 in gross receipts who have missed the May 17 deadline should contact Philadelphia VIP for assistance. All charities with questions should contact jvolunteer@phillyvip.org.
The above information applies to charities. For information on private foundation filing requirements, go to: http://www.irs.gov/charities/foundations/article/0,,id=141361,00.html
- Nonprofit Resources
- Nonprofit Legal Guides
- Useful links for organizations looking for 501(c)(3) status
- Useful links for 501(c)(3) organizations looking to stay exempt
- Small Businesses
- Small Business Legal Guides
- Useful links for small business resources
Nonprofit Resources
Philadelphia LawWorks provides resources to organizations looking to start-up as well as established 501(c)(3)s. Please click on the links below to learn more. If your organization is ready to speak with an attorney, you may submit an application by clicking on Apply for Assistance.
IRS Updates
Client Guides created by LawWorks Volunteers
- Lobbying & Political Activities
- Employment Law
- Zoning in Philadelphia
- Criminal Background Checks
- Insurance Law
- Nonprofit Dissolution Guide
Other Useful Guides
Resources for starting-up a nonprofit
If you are not sure if you are ready to start your own nonprofit organization, or are not familiar with the process of starting a 501(c)(3) organization, click the links below to learn about some basics like start-up costs, timing, and necessary steps.
- How much does it cost to start a nonprofit? (Hurwit ans Associates' Nonprofit Law Resource Library)
- How long does it take to get federal tax-exemption? (IRS.gov)
- Steps in starting a nonprofit (Hurwit and Associates' Nonprofit Law Resource Library)
- Federal Grant Information (Grants.gov)
Resources for staying exempt
- Stay Exempt - Tax Basics for 501(c)(3)s: An On-Line Workshop
- Public Charity Compliance Guide
- Guidestar.org
- Pennsylvania Attorney General Guidance for Nonprofits
Links for Philadelphia Nonprofits and Community Groups
- Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University
- Center for Community and Non-Profit Organizations (Temple University School of Law)
- Regional Foundation Center (Free Library of Philadelphia)
- Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC)
- Npower
- Community Legal Services, Child Care Law Project
- Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
- Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia
- Community Impact Training Institute (United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania)
- Mayor's Office of Community Services (City of Philadelphia)
- Homeless Advocacy Project
- Find a local United Way
- Volunteer Executive Consultants (VEC)
Small Business Resources
Philadelphia LawWorks provides resources to small businesses. Please click on the links below to learn more. If you are ready to speak with an attorney about your business, you may submit an application by clicking on
Client Guides created by LawWorks Volunteers
- Choice of Entity
- Tax Considerations: Choice of Entity Supplement
- Zoning in Philadelphia
- Criminal Background Checks
- Insurance Law
Resources for Philadelphia Small Businesses
- The Merchants Fund
Provides charitable gifts to business persons facing financial hardship. - SCORE Philadelphia
Provides free and confidential business advice and counseling. - SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration. - Empowerment Group
Assists local entrepreneurs in North Philadelphia. - The Enterprise Center
Assists local entrepreneurs in West Philadelphia. - Women's Business Development Center
Website under construction. - Women's Opportunities Resource Center
Provides training, individual business assistance, job placement, and access to business and financial resources. - Small Business Clinic
University of Pennsylvania Law School program that offers no-cost assistance to small businesses. - Prosper
Peer-to-peer lending site for small businesses. - Mayor's Business Action Team
City of Philadelphia small business program. - Department of Licenses and Inspections
City of Philadelphia's L&I Department website. - Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers
Provides a list of Small Business Development Centers. - NewPA.com
PA Department of Community and Economic Development. - PA Open for Business
Commonwealth of PA information and resources. - Entrepreneur's Guide: Starting and Growing a Business in Pennsylvania. [PDF]
Commonwealth of PA.
- Entrepreneur Works
Provides entrepreneurs with access to capital, one-on-one technical assistance, business training & networking opportunities
