Constitutional Safeguards: Non-Profits' Legal Protection

Non-profit organisations are governed by both state and federal law, and are required to have a constitution that outlines their principles, operational rules, and structural details. The constitution is a foundational legal document that provides clarity, legal protection, and a framework for governance. It explains the belief system of the organisation and outlines its guiding principles and moral direction. The constitution is particularly important for non-profits as it establishes the rules about who controls the organisation and how it is run.

Explore related products

The Constitution of the United States of America: The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights

$9.99 $9.99

We Are Indivisible: A Blueprint for Democracy After Trump

$19 $27

The Know Your Bill of Rights Book: Don't Lose Your Constitutional Rights--Learn Them!

$14.99 $14.95

Buried Secrets: Truth and Human Rights in Guatemala

$28.99 $79.99

Decolonizing Wealth, Second Edition: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance

$11.93 $23.95

On the Record: Papers, Immigration, and Legal Advocacy

$34.85 $34.95

Non-profits are governed by state and federal law

Non-profits should have a formal constitution, which provides clarity, legal protection and a framework for governance. The constitution will usually explain the belief system of the organisation, as well as its guiding principles and moral direction.

The constitution of a non-profit organisation should include the organisation's name, purpose, membership stipulations, board structure, meeting protocols and asset dissolution procedures. It should also be in compliance with state and federal laws.

The Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws form the "Constitution" of the organisation and establish the rules for governance. The Bylaws can be used to spell out specific provisions and are particularly important in establishing the rules about who controls the organisation.

A constitution provides legal protection and a framework for governance

The constitution, much like a set of bylaws, outlines the rules the board of directors must follow. It also details the duties and restrictions of the organisation's officers and board members. Unlike bylaws, the constitution will typically explain the belief system of the organisation, and it will outline the company's guiding principles along with its moral direction. Because of this aspect of constitutions, they are generally only seen among religious and charity-oriented non-profit entities.

The Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws essentially form the "Constitution" of the organisation and establish the rules for governance. Like all constitutions, they should be considered carefully. Non-profits must align their constitution with applicable laws, and legal assistance may be beneficial for this process.

A constitution outlines the rules the board of directors must follow

A constitution outlines the rules that the board of directors must follow. It is a foundational legal document that provides clarity, legal protection, and a framework for governance. It details the duties and restrictions of the organisation's officers and board members, and explains the belief system of the organisation. It also outlines the company's guiding principles and moral direction.

The constitution will include the organisation's name, purpose, membership stipulations, board structure, meeting protocols, and asset dissolution procedures. It must align with state and federal laws, and legal assistance may be beneficial for this process.

The Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws form the "Constitution" of the organisation and establish the rules for governance. The Bylaws can be used to spell out specific provisions and are particularly important in establishing the rules about who controls the organisation.

Explore related products

In Defence of Principles: NGOs and Human Rights in Canada (Law and Society)

$105

Internal Affairs: How the Structure of NGOs Transforms Human Rights

$34.95 $37.95

Benevolent Empire: U.S. Power, Humanitarianism, and the World's Dispossessed (Pennsylvania Studies in Human Rights)

$27.5 $74.95

Re:Imagining Change: How to Use Story-Based Strategy to Win Campaigns, Build Movements, and Change the World

$14.54 $21.95

Refugee Rights: Ethics, Advocacy, and Africa

$39.61 $36.95

The Solidarity Economy: Nonprofits and the Making of Neoliberalism after Empire

$20.71 $39.95

A constitution details the duties and restrictions of the organisation's officers and board members

A constitution is a foundational legal document that outlines a non-profit's principles, operational rules, and structural details. It provides clarity, legal protection, and a framework for governance.

The constitution details the duties and restrictions of the organisation's officers and board members. It also outlines the company's guiding principles and moral direction. This is why constitutions are generally only seen among religious and charity-oriented non-profit entities.

The constitution will include the organisation's name, purpose, membership stipulations, board structure, meeting protocols, and asset dissolution procedures. It must also comply with state and federal laws.

The Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws form the "Constitution" of the organisation and establish the rules for governance. The Bylaws can be used to spell out specific provisions and are particularly important in establishing the rules about who controls the organisation.

A constitution explains the belief system of the organisation

A constitution is a foundational legal document that outlines a non-profit's belief system, principles, operational rules, and structural details. It provides clarity, legal protection, and a framework for governance.

The constitution, much like a set of bylaws, outlines the rules the board of directors must follow. It also details the duties and restrictions of the organisation's officers and board members. Unlike bylaws, however, the constitution will typically explain the belief system of the organisation, and it will outline the company's guiding principles along with its moral direction.

The Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws essentially form the "Constitution" of the organisation and establish the rules for governance. The Articles of Incorporation must limit the non-profit's purposes to exempt purposes set forth in Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). These exempt purposes include "charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and preventing cruelty to children or animals."

In most states, the state non-profit corporation law provides minimum standards and default procedures if the Articles and Bylaws are silent on many issues. However, the Bylaws can be used to spell out specific provisions and are particularly important in establishing the rules about who controls the organisation.

Frequently asked questions