Texas C-BAR has provided Grace Place with the expertise to allow us to become incorporated, begin new services

and continue old services to our clients in Montague County, Texas.

James A. Weaver Nocona Grace Place, Inc.

How Can An Organization Apply for Assistance?

Applications for assistance can be obtained in three ways: Visit our web site at www.texascbar.org; E-mail us at info@texascbar.org; or Call us at (512) 374-2710.

Texas Community Building with Attorney Resources

About Texas C-BAR

Texas C-BAR is sponsored by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and collaborates with the states legal aid and pro bono programs. We receive financial support from a wide range of supporters including: Amegy Bank of Texas, Bank of America, Comerica Bank, Compass Bank, ConocoPhillips, F.B. Heron Foundation, Frost National Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Kayser Foundation, Rockwell Fund, Reliant Energy, Wachovia, Washington Mutual, Wells Fargo, and numerous law firms, corporations, and bar sections. Texas C-BAR receives support from both the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the following state bar sections: Business Law; Corporate Counsel; Labor and Employment Law; Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law; and Tax.

Providing Free Legal Assistance to Texas Nonprofits

Texas Community Building with Attorney Resources

4920 N IH 35 Austin, Texas 78751 phone: (512) 374-2710 fax: (512) 447-3940 email: info@texascbar.org web: www.texascbar.org
Photo on left: Fifth Ward Enrichment Program, a Texas C-BAR client, provides leadership activities for boys of the Fifth Ward, one of Houston's most economically distressed neighborhoods. Front Cover Photo: Builders of Hope CDC, a Texas C-BAR client, teaches employment skills while building houses for low-income families.
Alan Pogue
3/07

Alan Pogue

Free Attorney Resources for Nonprofits Serving Low-Income Communities

Types of Legal Assistance Available
Texas C-BAR provides assistance with almost any legal matter that does not involve litigation, including: Government regulations Corporate governance Trademark and copyright issues Filing an application for tax-exempt status Tax issues Drafting and negotiating contracts Drafting articles and bylaws Establishing joint ventures Preparing real estate documents Reviewing construction documents Reviewing loan documents Texas C-BAR is an invaluable resource to nonprofits who often would not have the funds to hire such gifted and talented lawyers to help with their charitable missions.
Michelle Farrell Childrens Advocacy Center of Central Texas

Alan Pogue

Children of low-income families learn cooperative skills as they play at Escuela Montessori de Montopolis, a Texas C-BAR client.

Eligibility
Organizations eligible for assistance meet three criteria. They are: nonprofit organizations or associations**; serving low-income persons or communities; and unable to afford regular legal services. We encourage nonprofits engaged in any community development initiative, especially those involving housing, job training and workforce development programs, or services for low-income women and children, to apply. **Start-up organizations are also eligible for legal assistance with the nonprofit incorporation process.

Free Legal Assistance for Nonprofits

Texas Community Building with Attorney Resources (Texas C-BAR) provides free legal assistance to nonprofits serving low-income persons and communities. We have recruited some of the most skilled attorneys in Texas with experience in real estate, corporate, employment, tax, and business law who volunteer to help organizations with important legal matters.

Why Link Lawyers to Nonprofits?

Access to quality and affordable legal services can be critical to the success of nonprofits. Many nonprofits that lack resources to obtain legal advice end up being unable to pursue complex transactions or exposing themselves to unnecessary liability, crippling the nonprofits in their ability to fulfill their missions. The consequences can be severe, including devastating lawsuits and revocation of the organizations tax-exempt status. The assistance of a transactional attorney now can prevent the need for a litigation attorney later. Texas C-BAR is dedicated to addressing these legal needs by connecting nonprofits with volunteer attorneys.

On-Line Resource Center and Workshops for Nonprofits www.texascbar.org

Texas C-BAR maintains an extensive and free on-line legal resource library. This resource contains legal tool kits, legal guides, information on a variety of important legal issues, and a host of template documents. It is under constant expansion as more and new nonprofit needs arise and the laws applicable to nonprofits change. Also online is a list of upcoming workshops and seminars around the state that Texas C-BAR presents over the course of the year.

Nonprofit organizations do not usually have budget line items for legal assistance. Having access to an attorney is invaluable in the provision of providing housing and services.
Karen Langley Family Eldercare

Texas Community Building with Attorney Resources www.texascbar.org