NEW YORK –A joint initiative to match volunteer attorneys with nonprofit organizations in need of legal counsel was announced Thursday by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and New York State Bar Association President Vincent E. Doyle III. The innovative partnership called “Charity Corps” will help improve governance and legal compliance by assisting nonprofits that cannot afford legal counsel.

Charity Corps attorneys will help ensure that nonprofits fulfill their responsibilities and continue to provide critical services through difficult economic times. The Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, led by Bureau Chief Jason R. Lilien, will support the initiative by providing training and guidance to volunteer attorneys and nonprofits. The Charities Bureau is responsible for supervising charitable organizations to protect donors, and ensure funds and other property devoted to charitable purposes are properly used. Charity Corps will be administered by the New York State Bar Association.

“Nonprofits are vital to our local communities and state, and we are committed to ensuring that they continue their important work – especially at a time when their services are most in need,” Attorney General Schneiderman said.

“The State Bar Association is pleased to partner with the Attorney General’s Office to promote voluntary legal services that help nonprofits better realize their missions,” President Doyle said. “New York’s attorneys stand ready to serve our important charitable sector – housing, shelter and youth programs, mental health and crisis intervention clinics, high school dropout prevention programs, relief and development assistance, civil rights organizations, veterans’ assistance groups and others – by helping them with their governance and legal compliance needs.”

Charity Corps will recruit and train volunteer attorneys to provide legal advice on issues like board governance, fiduciary responsibilities, and nonprofit law compliance. The new program will fill in gaps in coverage so that a broader array of organizations throughout the state are served. It will also work to maximize available resources by matching existing legal service providers with nonprofits in need of pro bono counsel. Organizations that serve the needs of indigent people will receive priority in the program.

Charity Corps will begin as a pilot program, serving up to 50 nonprofits in its first year.  For additional eligibility information, including applications and volunteer attorney forms, please visit www.nysba.org/CharityCorps.