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The Wrath-Bearing Tree

Literary publication seeks nonprofit incorporation as 501(c)3

WBT connects military veterans with civilians and publishes fiction, poetry, and essays. It needs to transition from a for-profit to a 501(c)3 model.

Posted May 6, 2020

Background & Context

When WBT originally incorporated as an LLC in CT in 2015, it was for a number of reasons, but ultimately because there wasn't the institutional bandwidth or personnel to staff it out as a non-profit, and I knew from experience with the Yale Veterans Association and the Yale Record Corporation that running a non-profit properly is a big investment of time and energy. WBT has reached a point in terms of size and influence that in order to continue growing, we can't simply rely on $1000 in donations and subscriptions per year; we need to compensate contributors and volunteers for labor, and would like, ultimately, to take on bigger projects such as publishing books, poetry collections, and helping produce online content. Transitioning to a non-profit model will mean recruiting more people to participate in The Wrath-Bearing Tree, will open us to contributions and different types of volunteering, and will make us competitive for grants.

Immediate Problem

The immediate problem is to incorporate as a non-profit under the 501(c)3 model, and to think through what our board would look like, as well as what bylaws we ought to have. We need one additional lawyer with expertise in 501(c)3 law to advise and assist the volunteer currently working to shepherd us through the process.

Work & Deliverables

1) Guide us through advice and/or preparation of paperwork where needed from for-profit LLC to non-profit 501(c)3 2) Give the board an opportunity to learn its legal responsibilities under the 501(c)3 code through a briefing 3) Ensure that WBT has received 501(c)3 status
Project Plan

Preparation Phase

  • Introductory call with WBT leadership team

Collaboration Phase

  • Review and dialogue about existing LLC
  • Prepare and submit 501(c)3 paperwork

Wrap Up

  • Receive and review confirmation of WBT non-profit status; brief WBT leadership on legal obligations

This project is complete!

This project has been completed thanks to the efforts of our volunteers.

Visit the Project Directory to check out other projects that still need your help!

Additional Information

  • Time Commitment: 11-20 hours
  • Training Provided: No
  • Site-Preference: Remote
  • Open to Law Students: No
  • Additional Location Details: Video conferencing is preferred, but not necessary; telephone and email are sufficient to carry out these responsibilities.
  • Bar License(s) required: Colorado, Connecticut, New York, Texas
  • Required Languages: None
  • Signup Deadline: August 30, 2020
  • Deliverables Due: October 15, 2020
  • Mentoring Provided: Yes
  • Supervision Provided: Yes
The Wrath-Bearing Tree

Established in 2013 by combat veterans and maintained by a diverse board of veterans, military spouses, and writers, The Wrath-Bearing Tree publishes essays, reviews, fiction, and poetry that confronts the continua between social, state, and economic violence. We encourage writing from both veterans and civilians and are committed to exploring how all humans overcome traumatic experience. Our mission is to promote art that confronts the continua of social, state, and economic violence.

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