Colorado Nonprofit Corporation Attorneys
At TNS Associates P.C., our attorneys provide comprehensive legal services to nonprofit corporations across Colorado, from initial formation through ongoing operations and compliance. Nonprofit corporations play an important role in Colorado’s communities by serving as vehicles for charitable, educational, religious, and social welfare activities. These organizations operate under different rules than for-profit corporations and must comply with the Colorado Nonprofit Corporation Act, federal tax requirements, and a range of governance obligations that are unique to the nonprofit sector.
Whether you are forming a new nonprofit, seeking tax-exempt status, addressing governance concerns, or navigating a complex transaction, TNS Associates provides the legal guidance your organization needs to fulfill its mission and operate within the law. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Key Nonprofit Corporation Legal Services
Entity Formation and Incorporation
Forming a nonprofit corporation in Colorado requires filing articles of incorporation, drafting bylaws, and appointing an initial board of directors. Our attorneys guide organizations through each step of this process, ensuring all state and federal requirements are met from the outset and that the foundational documents accurately reflect the organization’s purpose and governance structure.
Tax-Exempt Status
Obtaining 501(c)(3) or other tax-exempt status from the IRS is a critical step for most nonprofit organizations. Our attorneys assist with the preparation and filing of exemption applications, help organizations understand the ongoing compliance requirements associated with tax-exempt status, and advise on issues that could put that status at risk.
Governance and Compliance
Nonprofit corporations in Colorado are subject to specific governance requirements, including restrictions on profit distribution, board member compensation, and conflicts of interest. Our attorneys advise boards and leadership teams on best practices for governance, help draft and update policies, and ensure annual reporting obligations with the Colorado Secretary of State are met.
Ongoing Legal Counsel
Nonprofits face many of the same legal challenges as for-profit companies, including contract matters, employment issues, real estate transactions, and potential litigation, often without a dedicated in-house legal team. TNS Associates serves as outside counsel to nonprofit organizations, providing practical, responsive guidance as issues arise throughout the organization’s lifecycle.
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dissolutions
When a nonprofit organization needs to merge with another entity, acquire assets, or wind down operations, the legal process requires careful attention to state law, IRS requirements, and the interests of the organization’s constituents. Our attorneys provide strategic counsel through every stage of these significant transactions.
Religious and Educational Institutions
Churches, religious organizations, private schools, and educational institutions have unique legal needs that go beyond standard nonprofit law. Our attorneys understand the constitutional and regulatory considerations specific to these organizations and provide counsel that respects both their mission and their legal obligations.
Why Nonprofits Need Dedicated Legal Counsel
Nonprofit organizations are often staffed by passionate individuals focused on mission delivery, not legal compliance. Yet the legal obligations facing nonprofits are substantial and consequential. Governance failures, compliance gaps, or improperly structured transactions can jeopardize tax-exempt status, expose board members to liability, or undermine the organization’s ability to serve its community. TNS Associates has provided legal counsel to nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado since 1984, offering the personalized attention and substantive expertise that mission-driven organizations deserve.
Protecting Tax-Exempt Status
Tax-exempt status is one of a nonprofit’s most valuable assets. An attorney helps ensure that organizational activities, compensation structures, and transactions do not inadvertently put that status at risk.
Limiting Board Member Liability
Nonprofit board members can face personal liability for governance failures or fiduciary breaches. Proper legal structure, sound policies, and informed decision-making processes help protect those who volunteer their time to lead these organizations.
Customized, Mission-Aligned Guidance
Every nonprofit has a unique mission, structure, and set of stakeholders. TNS Associates takes a customized approach to each organization we serve, ensuring that legal advice aligns with the values and objectives that drive the work.
Sustainable Operations from Day One
Getting the legal foundation right at formation prevents costly corrections down the road. Our attorneys help new nonprofits build governance structures, policies, and compliance frameworks that support sustainable, effective operations from the start.
A Trusted Partner for the Long Term
TNS Associates has operated from the same location, with the same phone number, serving repeat clients since 1984. Nonprofit organizations that partner with our firm gain a legal team that learns their mission, knows their history, and grows with them over time.
Ready to build a stronger legal foundation for your nonprofit?
Our experienced Colorado nonprofit attorneys are here to help your organization fulfill its mission while staying compliant, protected, and positioned for long-term success.
Thomas N. Scheffel
Founder and President of the Firm, Attorney at Law
Thomas N. Scheffel is the founder and president of Thomas N. Scheffel & Associates, P.C., advising individuals and organizations on estate planning, trust and estate administration, taxation, and business matters. He has taught business law and related subjects at Colorado Christian University since 1994, bringing decades of practical legal perspective into the classroom. Scheffel is admitted to practice in Colorado and Wisconsin, as well as the U.S. Tax Court and Federal District Court, and maintains long standing involvement with civic, faith based, and service organizations.
Peter B. Cassel
Attorney at Law
Peter B. Cassel is an attorney in the Estate and Business Planning Groups at Thomas N. Scheffel & Associates, P.C., advising individuals, families, and business owners on integrated planning strategies. His work focuses on estate planning, trust administration, and asset protection planning, with additional experience in corporate, real estate, and nonprofit matters. Cassel is admitted to practice in Colorado and brings a practical approach to aligning client goals with tax efficient structures and long term protection.
Mikayle M. Scheffel
Attorney at Law
Mikayle M. Scheffel is a Colorado attorney whose practice spans litigation, family law, and nonprofit law, representing clients in matters ranging from divorce and child custody disputes to guardianships and conservatorships. She is known for thorough preparation and strategic negotiation designed to resolve conflict efficiently while remaining courtroom ready when litigation becomes necessary. Scheffel earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and holds a B.A. in History from Colorado Christian University, and she is admitted to practice in Colorado.