This session discusses a wide range of legal risks that nonprofits are facing when pursuing racial justice missions or carrying out race-informed programs. The anti-DEI movement has pursued many different types of legal strategies in their efforts to stop nonprofits from helping people of color. Some of these legal risks come from private actors who file lawsuits against nonprofits while others come from people in government positions of power. We will discuss ways to navigate these risks without compromising on the nonprofit's charitable mission.

‍Presenters

David Lawson is a partner at the law firm Perkins Coie, where he advises 501(c)(3) nonprofits. David is a longtime board member of Communities Rise, and he has over a decade of experience advising charitable organizations and foundations. He especially has a lot of experience helping organizations navigate interactions with federal and state regulators.

‍Livio De La Cruz is the Interim Co-Executive Director of Communities Rise, where he leads the legal services team. Livio has experience both founding, leading, and providing legal advice to nonprofits that pursue racial justice missions. He routinely trains nonprofit leaders on tax-exempt compliance issues and other legal risks that are unique to the nonprofit sector.