Resource Library
To access our full library of resources, please log in or create a free account. Access is free and available to all organizations working to protect animals or promote plant-based diet change.
Our Resource Library offers practical legal guidance for animal protection and plant-based advocacy nonprofits at every stage of their journey.
Whether you're forming a new organization, refining your governance practices, or navigating compliance and fundraising rules, you'll find helpful tools to support your work.
Explore our collection of succinct handouts, short videos, and recorded webinars—all designed to make complex legal topics more accessible and actionable.
Resources are organized by topic to help you quickly find what you need:
Getting Started
Guidance on forming a nonprofit, choosing the right structure, and taking the first legal steps toward launching your organization.
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Basic Budget Template
This basic budget template helps nonprofits plan and track their income and expenses, ensuring financial transparency and effective resource management.
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Starting a U. S. Nonprofit? Part I: What is a Nonprofit?
In Part I of our Starting a U.S. Nonprofit? series, we provide an overview of 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including their types, characteristics, and the process of obtaining tax-exempt status. We also outline the benefits, drawbacks, and costs involved in starting a nonprofit organization in the U.S.
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Starting a U.S. Nonprofit? Part II: Alternatives to Starting a Nonprofit
In Part II of our Starting a U.S. Nonprofit? series, we examine alternatives to starting a nonprofit, offering insights into each option to help individuals choose the best path for pursuing their mission without the administrative responsibilities of running a nonprofit.
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Starting a U.S. Nonprofit? Part III: The Planning Stage
In Part III of our Starting a U.S. Nonprofit? series, we cover important planning steps for starting a nonprofit, including defining its mission, organizing key roles, and making foundational decisions about structure and location.
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Starting a U.S. Nonprofit? Part IV: Preparing a Simple Nonprofit Business Plan
In Part IV of our Starting a U.S. Nonprofit? series, we provide a framework for preparing a simple nonprofit business plan, including guiding questions to help clarify goals and organize financial planning.
Board Governance
Resources on board roles, fiduciary duties, bylaws, and policies to help your board govern responsibly and effectively.
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Understanding Director Independence on Your Nonprofit Board
This guide explains the importance of director independence on nonprofit boards, outlining federal tax law requirements, best practices for maintaining independence, and how to evaluate and strengthen board governance to maintain compliance.
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Aligning Purposes and Mission Messaging in 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
This resource is an actionable guide for nonprofit boards to align their organization’s mission messaging with its legal purposes, helping ensure compliance, reduce audit risks, and maintain public and regulatory trust.
Operations
Legal insights for day-to-day operations, including contracts, employment practices, insurance considerations, and internal systems that support effective nonprofit management.
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Liability Insurance for Nonprofits
This 75-min workshop covers how nonprofits utilize insurance as a risk mitigator. We will discuss the various insurance policies available (DOL/DOL w/ EPLI, CGL, GL, K&R, HLL), and how to curate an insurance policy portfolio that fits your nonprofit's specific needs.
Fundraising
Tools to help you fundraise legally and confidently—from charitable solicitation rules to donor acknowledgments and gift acceptance.
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Coming Soon
Nonprofit Compliance
Practical guidance on staying in good standing—covering reporting requirements, public support tests, and state registrations.
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Form 990 Legal Basics
This webinar will highlight important legal considerations in preparing and filing the Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. We will focus on reporting obligations of public charities, but much of the material is relevant to operating and non-operating foundations.
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Form 990 Legal Basics
This guide explains the essentials of IRS Form 990, helping nonprofits navigate filing requirements, avoid penalties, and meet transparency and compliance standards.
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Preparing for Public Disclosure Requests for 501(c)(3) Exemption Applications
This article provides nonprofits with guidance for complying with public disclosure requirements for their 501(c) exemption applications, helping organizations respond to requests efficiently while minimizing noncompliance risks.
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Nonprofit Executive Compensation
This article provides nonprofit boards with an overview of the legal requirements and best practices for setting executive compensation, focusing on IRS regulations, performance evaluations, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring transparency and fairness in pay decisions.
Intellectual Property
Support for protecting your organization’s ideas, branding, and content while avoiding unintended infringement risks.
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Royalty Free and Public Domain - What's the Difference?
This resource clarifies the differences between royalty-free and public domain works, explaining their legal meanings, usage rights, and key characteristics to help users choose and use creative content appropriately and legally.
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Have You Received a Notice of Copyright Infringement?
The article offers practical advice for organizations on how to navigate and respond to copyright infringement notices responsibly and strategically.
Data Privacy
Legal guidance to help animal protection nonprofits understand their obligations around data collection, storage, and security. Includes resources on donor privacy, website policies, and best practices for handling personal information.
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What is Cyber-Hygiene & Why is It Relevant to Nonprofits?
This resource explains the importance of cyber-hygiene for nonprofits, offering guidance on protecting sensitive data and complying with cybersecurity and privacy laws.