Not-for-profit

At Cooper Grace Ward, giving back and exercising corporate social responsibility are part of our company culture. We are fortunate to have a team that has worked with numerous not-for-profit organisations across a range of industries.

As a leading Brisbane law firm, Cooper Grace Ward is proud to provide a full range of legal services to support the diversity of the not-for-profit sector.

Our lawyers are passionate about the work we do with charities, trusts and community organisations. With more than a decade of experience working with this sector, we understand the issues that impact those involved. We have a long history of acting for not-for-profit clients based in Brisbane and throughout Queensland and Australia.

Considerations such as how to keep overheads down, complex tax arrangements and the most effective ways to work to budgets are taken into account.

When we assist not-for-profits through advice and advocacy, they are able to more fully devote their resources to accomplishing what they set out to do – whether that’s furthering medical research, supporting the ill or lobbying for animal rights.

Our work in this area encompasses more than 15 years’ advice to not-for-profit organisations. The types of organisations we advise include:

• public benevolent institutions
• health promotion charities
• harm prevention charities
• public museums
• clubs established for the encouragement of sport and racing
• art galleries
• school building funds
• private ancillary funds
• income tax exempt funds
• clubs operating under the principle of mutuality.

We can assist not-for-profit organisations with:

• advising on appropriate legal structure and preparing governing documents
• meeting requirements of legislation and procedure for applying for and obtaining various endorsements (including the ATO, ACNC and AusAID)
• maintaining endorsements and registrations
• involvement in commercial activities
• tax treatment of income and gifts received
• GST compliance and availability of duty exemptions
• registration requirements to undertake fundraising and requirements for holding such events
• workplace relations law, salary packaging and matters relating to volunteers
• corporate governance, compliance with directors’ duties and the Corporations Act 2001
• tendering for government funding
• establishment of charitable trusts and bequest clauses in Wills
• property and leasing advice
• intellectual property advice and protection strategies
• litigation and dispute resolution.

To speak with a lawyer about a not-for-profit matter, call Cooper Grace Ward on (07) 3231 2444.