Planned Giving + Fundraising

We advise educational institution clients on their fundraising, charitable solicitation, and planned giving programs. We routinely counsel clients on state charitable solicitation laws, state registration and reporting requirements, and issues related to online fundraising. We help our clients navigate the legal and compliance aspects of raising funds through a variety of means, including capital campaigns, cause marketing, and corporate sponsorships. We work closely with boards and development offices to establish fundraising and gift acceptance policies and provide advice regarding the acceptance and use of cash and non-cash gifts, donor-restricted gifts, charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities, and bequests. Our attorneys also counsel educational institutions regarding the investment and administration of existing endowment and other donor-restricted funds under the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act. We routinely assist in the following areas: 

  • Compliance with state charitable solicitation registration, reporting, recordkeeping, and disclosure requirements 
  • Documentation and substantiation of charitable contributions
  • Planned giving vehicles such as charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, charitable gift annuities, and reserved life estates
  • Cy pres proceedings to release or modify restrictions on endowment or restricted-purpose funds