When I retired from the full-time practice of law in late 2019, I wanted to start a “second chapter” helping nonprofits. I had served on many nonprofit boards during my career, and as board chair for five of those. Before my retirement and after, I had the privilege of helping nonprofits solve issues such as succession planning, merging with another nonprofit, hiring a new executive director, creating a strategic plan, fundraising and even deciding how to continue performing during the Covid “shutdown” of 2020 and 2021.

Starting in 2020, I also started working with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona’s Center for Healthy Nonprofits, presenting Tips for Serving as an Effective Board Chair and the Legal Obligations of Nonprofit Board Members. I also helped facilitate discussions on how to start a nonprofit, Robert’s Rules of Order, and many other issues facing nonprofits.

Southern Arizona has more than 4500 nonprofit organizations employing 39,158 people. These organizations do inspiring work, serving countless individuals in Tucson and nearby communities. Understandably, nonprofit leaders want to use resources to accomplish their mission rather than to pay professionals to provide advice. I started Arizona Nonprofit Counsel PLLC to provide legal and advisory services to nonprofits (or those who want to start nonprofits or donate to them) on a reasonable flat-fee or low-cost hourly basis.

Nancy J. March