Practice areas

We can help you identify the proper entity form for your nonprofit.

CNLC can help you create your 501(c)(3) or other faith-based nonprofit, achieve its tax-exempt status and comply with the enumerable layers of laws and regulations governing your unique organization. CNLC will give you more than standardized form documents that fail to meet your nonprofit’s unique needs. We want to equip you with specially tailored governing documents to empower you to serve your people safely and effectively.

We can also handle ongoing corporate maintenance to ensure you are complying with annual corporate responsibilities.

CNLC will give you more than standardized form documents that fail to meet your nonprofit’s unique needs. We will equip you with specially tailored governing documents to empower you to serve your people safely and effectively.

- Articles of Incorporation

- Statement of Faith

- Constitution

- Bylaws

- Policy and Procedure Manuals

- Proper form and recordation of corporate minutes

Will provide formal tax opinions, and we represent and defend our clients before the IRS, FTB, and other tax agencies.

Many religious nonprofits realize that certain income-earning activities can jeopardize their nonprofit status. Are you clear about how to differentiate those threatening your status and those allowed?

Many churches fail to realize that while certain income-earning activities may not violate UBIT restrictions, they may jeopardize their county property tax exemption.

Has a serious allegation been leveled against you or a team member? Sexual abuse, employee abuse, hostile workplace? These and other serious allegations should always be investigated by professionals who can claim complete independence. Your church may have several brilliant professionals, but will your congregation or organization view insiders as “independent?” We are called to be “above reproach” and to “avoid even the appearance of evil.” The report or recommendations of outside independent professionals will eliminate the possibility of accusations of bias. Your congregation, donors or membership may struggle to embrace a painful decision, but it will have much greater credibility when it comes from outside independent professionals.  

Including, but not limited to:

- Real estate purchases, leases, sales

- Service Contracts

- Employment Contracts

- Construction Contracts

Youth Protection Policies:

Lawsuits over the abuse of minors are still one of the top suits against churches. Do you understand the latest rules related to mandated reporters? Few California churches and religious nonprofits are up to date on the latest laws. In other words, many violate new mandated reporter laws. Let us help you establish the policies and the proper procedures for oversight of your Youth Protection Policy.

Waiver and Release Agreements:

These are now widely used by churches and nonprofits. Waiver and Release Agreements are among the most accessible standardized forms one can find free on the web. This is unfortunate because standardized W/R agreements are often useless! To be effective, a W/R agreement must be very carefully and specifically tailored to the unique hazards posed by each special event.

Facilities Use Policy

We are periodically asked to provide a Facilities Use Application. Our first question is, “do you have a Facilities Use Policy (FUP)?” That is the appropriate starting point, and your FUP should correspond to and further the interests expressed in your bylaws, constitution and statement of faith or statement of mission. This again highlights why each document should be specifically tailored to your unique needs.

Churches and religious nonprofits can benefit significantly from bequests (gifts from donors who pass away). There can be many complications related to the form of the bequests. Fees and costs of probate can unnecessarily diminish gifts to your church or religious nonprofit. We can help your members or donors wisely plan for the most tax-effective way to distribute their assets to family members and donations to the nonprofits they support.

We can also provide your family, church or nonprofit organization with faith-based guidance and administration of your estate after your death.