Supported, in part, by The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation, VLA offers a variety of services to non-profits of all sizes, from small, start-up dance troupes to established institutions like the Brooklyn Arts Council and New York Foundation for the Arts.

If you are considering forming a non-profit, or if your existing non-profit is seeking legal advice or representation, VLA can help. We offer legal services during the start-up phase, helping establish non-profit corporations and applying for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.

This service consists of the following:

1. It is mandatory for you to take our Forming a Non-profit Workshop before you come in for your consultation and placement on our caselist.* For class dates and times, please view our calendar.
2. An initial consultation with a staff attorney or volunteer attorney at VLA.
3. Placement with a pro bono attorney who will guide you through the incorporation and tax-exemption process.
4. A one-year organizational membership with VLA, which includes free access to a legal clinic, discounts for your staff on VLA classes, and discounted rates for classes held at your place of business.

*If you do not initiate your non-profit incorporation process through VLA within one year of taking the workshop, you must re-take the workshop before consultation and placement with a pro bono attorney can be arranged.

Costs of the service

For organizations with a projected or actual operating budget of $25,000 or less, costs for VLA’s comprehensive start-up package is $785.00 (please note that the initial class fee is deducted from this charge should you take the class and then decide on purchasing the package).

For organizations with a budget exceeding the $25,000 mark, we will assess your fee once you have your first-year operating budget in place. Please note that operating budget is discussed in this class.

For more information on this program, or to register for the forming a non-profit workshop, please contact VLA at vlany@vlany.org or at 212.319.2787 ext. 1.