1. How can organizations get assistance from CORP?
Organizations must meet the following requirements:
- Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or seek to incorporate and acquire nonprofit status
- Be located in Northern California
- Provide direct service* to low-income or underrepresented individuals
- Be unable to afford legal services
Click here to learn more about what counts as direct service
Organizations can meet the requirement by demonstrating that they provide direct service to the intended population with hands-on work. For example, organizations that provide basic necessities (food, clothing, or shelter), social services (recovery programs or mental health services), childcare, job training, and education training meet the requirement. In contrast, organizations that only provide indirect services such as seeking change through advocacy or public education for affected populations, do not meet the requirement.
If the organization meets our eligibility requirements, they should submit an inquiry form for assistance. CORP will review and make a decision on the inquiry form within 1 to 2 business days. If approved we will send you a full application to complete. Click here to access the inquiry form.
During the application process, CORP considers the organization’s beneficiaries, financial profile, the nature of the legal request, and the likelihood we can identify an attorney to assist, as well as the organization’s ability to be responsive to and work with our volunteer attorneys.
2. Can organizations get assistance with acquiring 501(c)(3) status?
Yes, CORP can assist organizations with incorporation and obtaining tax-exempt status.
3. What happens after the application is approved?
Following the approval process, organizations can expect the following:
- We will write a short description that describes the assistance needed and provide it to our volunteer attorneys
- We will notify the organization by email when an attorney volunteers to assist with your legal matter(s) and coordinate a Zoom meeting with you, CORP, and the volunteer attorney(s). During the meeting, we will confirm the organization’s legal needs, answer questions and highlight expectations
- After the meeting, the organization will communicate directly with the volunteer attorney(s) rather than CORP. During initial communications, the attorney(s) will explain a document called a limited-scope retainer agreement or engagement letter and ask that you review and sign it to start the attorney-client relationship. The document is confidential and should not be provided to CORP.
- While we have been very successful at finding volunteers, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a volunteer to assist with your legal matter(s).
4. What is the cost to organizations?
The services provided by CORP and the volunteer attorney(s) are free of charge. Please note that there may be some nominal costs or fees depending on the circumstances of your legal matter(s).
5. What are the organization’s obligations as a client of CORP?
CORP volunteer attorneys give their time and talent to assist organizations with their legal needs. Their services to paying clients are at rates of several hundred dollars per hour. Accordingly, we ask that organizations be respectful of their attorney’s time and respond promptly to requests for information or documents.