Governance of the Social Enterprise: Structural and Operational Considerations

State Bar of Texas, Governance of Nonprofit Organizations Course, Austin, Texas

119804067(1) - Copy

Social enterprises use business methods to do good.  Whether certified as a B Corp., operating as an L3C, or taking another form, these organizations give entrepreneurial voice to mission activities.

Written to serve as an introduction to this developing sector, this paper systematically examines half-a-dozen structural options for Social Enterprises, including nonprofit, for-profit, and dual purpose models.  The bulk of the paper examines the responsibilities of managers/owners and tax issues unique to each model’s governance structure and purpose before delving into government regulations specific to this new sector.  A variety of real-world examples and a flowchart overview for selecting the best structure for your purposes are included, and helpful resources are cited throughout.

Fiduciary Requirements for Members of Nonprofit Boards

160895396Fort Worth Chapter TSCPA Free CPE Day 2016, Fort Worth, Texas

This paper and PowerPoint expand on my presentation from last month, with an added look at excess benefit transactions as related to public charities.

Trustee Liability & Whistleblowing

144283240(1)2016 Salk Institute Breakthrough Biomedical Philanthropy Seminar, La Jolla, California

It is always exciting to take part in the Salk Institute’s annual two-day summit, which couples the worlds of philanthropy and science through featured presentations and panel discussions.  The topic I presented was Trustee Liability and Whistleblowing, specifically focusing on state and federal standards of conduct applicable to directors and trustees of private foundations.  This paper further underscores best practices for these decision makers, highlighting tools to limit liability and emphasizing the importance of diligence in carrying out duties and responsibilities.