Posted July 19, 2023
Super kudos to our 10 Super Lawyers and 9 Rising Stars for 2023: 2023 MN Super Lawyers (given to no more than 5% of state attorneys) Heidi Christianson Amanda Cialkowski Kathleen Curtis Doug Elsass Brian Johnson Judy Langevin Don Lewis …
Posted May 2, 2022 with Tags Nonprofits, Foundations, Private Foundations
On Friday, April 29, 2022, Ramsey County District Court Judge Awsumb issued a decision in the highly publicized case brought by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office seeking removal of the three Otto Bremer Trust Trustees. Here we outline the decisions of the case and provide key takeaways for foundatio
Posted April 1, 2022 with Tags Nonprofits
A bill making its way through the Minnesota Legislature would be terribly damaging to Minnesota nonprofits. And, unfortunately, it looks like it has legs.
Posted October 29, 2021 with Tags Nonprofits
For nonprofits and the lawyers who love them, 2020 and 2021 have been full of frustrating interactions with the IRS. Getting the IRS to acknowledge and respond to basic communications has seemed more difficult than in the past. That is …
Posted September 15, 2021 with Tags Nonprofits
A nonprofit recently settled with the Minnesota Attorney General due to conflicts of interest and allegations of self-dealing. While it may be easy to dismiss the settlement as an example of a sham nonprofit obviously intended to benefit the for-profit …
Posted September 2, 2021 with Tags Nonprofits
A recent study found that nonprofit boards are 78.6 percent white. That means nonprofit boards do not reflect the make-up of the American population or the constituents these nonprofits and foundations serve. The National Council of Nonprofits has acknowledged the critical importance of diversity in nonprofit governance, saying: With a diversity of experience, expertise, and perspectives, a nonprofit is in a stronger position to plan for the future, manage risk, make prudent decisions, and take full advantage of opportunities. A diverse board that is also sensitive to cultural differences is usually one that has a stronger capacity to attract and retain talented board members - as well as to be in touch with community needs. Though diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) discourse has recently been present in programming, foundation gifting, and other industry lenses, community foundations are looking for new ways to take active steps towards deepening their DEI commitment, including an examination of board memberships.
Posted August 4, 2020 with Tags Nonprofits, Minnesota Nonprofits
The Minnesota Supreme Court concluded that an unpaid student intern working at a local nonprofit was entitled to the same protection against discrimination found in the Minnesota Human Rights Act as paid employees.
Posted August 3, 2020 with Tags Health Care
The Minnesota Supreme Court issued an opinion* that reverses the long-held common-law understanding in Minnesota that hospitals are not liable for the actions of their physician independent contractors.
Posted July 31, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, Youth Sports, LLCs
Youth sports organizations are often run by people who are volunteers. Sometimes one volunteer within the group opens a bank account in the name of the sports organization, so fees can be deposited and expenses paid. Many times, a member of the group will suggest that the organization should formalize itself and set up a 501(c)(3) or an LLC to run the programs. What do these terms mean and when would it benefit a youth sports organization to formally organize as a 501(c)(3) or an LLC? Heidi Christianson explains.
Posted May 6, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Nonprofits, Antitrust Laws
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that associations and its members are engaging. With the stay at home orders in place across the country, in-person meetings have been replaced with video or teleconferences, and a lot more communication is being done in writing.
Posted May 1, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Nonprofits
The Federal Reserve Board clarified nonprofits are ineligible for the Main Street Lending Program, but also noted they are evaluating a separate approach specific to nonprofits.
Posted April 10, 2020 with Tags Nonprofits, COVID-19, COVID-19 for Nonprofits
During the COVID-19 pandemic, here's how nonprofits should be approaching board and member meetings.
Posted April 9, 2020 with Tags Workers' Compensation, COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a workers’ compensation bill on April 7, 2020, to help first responders, healthcare workers and daycare workers who contract COVID-19 in the workplace. Here's what employers need to know about handling these claims.
Posted March 25, 2020 with Tags Nonprofits, COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact all corners of life both locally and nationally, we have received questions from our nonprofit clients regarding the use of their endowment funds to help support their targeted communities. In addition to a quick review of Minnesota’s endowment fund law, we provide some action items to consider when faced with these spending decisions.
Posted December 23, 2019
On Friday, December 20, 2019, President Trump signed a $1.4 trillion spending package that included simplification of the taxes paid by private foundations.
Posted December 23, 2019
It is a December miracle: late on Friday, December 20, 2019, President Trump signed a $1.4 trillion spending package that included the repeal of the nonprofit parking tax!
Posted October 29, 2019
A recent Minnesota Court of Appeals decision affirmed that funds like endowment funds, held by charitable organizations, will generally be considered gifts and not contracts.
Posted September 30, 2019
Nonprofit Board Chair job descriptions usually include phrases like “facilitate consensus” and “ensure all voices are heard.” I agree with those job descriptions. In my experience, Board Chairs generally understand that part of the job. However, there is sometimes a disconnect between the Board Chair’s job description and the expectations of the nonprofit’s CEO/ED.
Posted May 20, 2019
Nilan Johnson Lewis President Heidi Christianson is being honored at the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Reception, alongside other Twin Cities new executives. The reception takes place on May 23, 2019.
Posted March 27, 2019
Nonprofit association attorneys Heidi Christianson and Zach Crain have compiled a list of the top 10 questions their association clients have been asking about in 2019.
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