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The Bar Association of San Francisco

The VLSP Story

Related Information

Interested in Starting a Nonprofit Organization? Start Here.

If you are already a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, visit the CORP Eligibility Web page.

CORP assists eligible groups with obtaining 501(c)(3) status. Groups may qualify for assistance if they serve low-income individuals or communities in Northern California. Evaluate this 501(c)3 eligibility checklist to see if CORP volunteer attorneys can help you.

1. Will the organization specifically serve low-income people within Northern California?

2. Have you prepared a three-year budget? (IRS requires a detailed budget in its application - click here for resources)

3. Has a board of directors been selected?

4. Does the organization have a name?

5. Has fiscal sponsorship already been considered and determined unbeneficial to the organization?

6. Have you prepared a three-year fundraising plan?

If you answered yes to all of the above questions, your organization may be eligible for free legal assistance from one of our volunteer attorneys.  To continue with the intake process, please e-mail us at corp@sfbar.org with details for both the above questions and the following questions.
a. Name of the organization
b. Name, title, address and contact information
c. Mission statement
d. Description of how the organization directly serves the low-income community
e. Annual operating budget
f.  Legal need(s) - Describe in detail
g. Your organization’s Web site address, if available

Check-out CORP's nonprofit incorporation resources.

Questions?

For more information, or to sign up for CORP quarterly e-newsletter, send an email to corp@sfbar.org.

Volunteer Legal Services Program's volunteers and staff serve over 7,500 low-income clients per year - a value of approximately $11,000,000. Our award-winning program changes lives by using a holistic approach that offers social services as well as legal assistance.

3 Things You Can Do to Help CORP Advance Its Work:

1. Donate to VLSP: For every dollar VLSP spends, seven dollars worth of services are donated.

2. Volunteer: Join over 1,100 attorneys that work to enhance the lives of low-income individuals and the organizations that serve them.

3. Spread the Word: Tell your friends that work for nonprofits about CORP -- a project that provides free legal services to organizations in Northern California. Email corp@sfbar.org for more information.