A reframing of the legal profession for nonlawyers aiming to lead nonprofits more effectively
Although the United States has the most robust nonprofit sector in the world, the rules governing it are convoluted and often paralyze those who are trying to change the status quo. Nonprofit leaders deserve rules that are clearly laid out, explaining what they can and should do to achieve their missions—rather than emphasizing only what is forbidden.
Rules of the Road for Nonprofit Leaders offers a translation of the nonprofit legal framework into terms that can be more easily understood by nonlawyers. Schmidt provides a different lens through which nonprofit leaders can see more clearly how these laws can be more responsive to the changing needs of the nonprofit sector and of society.
This book shows nonprofit leaders, board members, and volunteers how nonprofit law relates to all aspects of nonprofit management.
Reviews
"Schmidt's lively volume provides a very important service to nonprofit organizations, leaders, and staff—the best accessible introduction we have to doing good legally. All nonprofit leaders and staff should have this very useful guide to positive, legal action on their shelves."—Mark Sidel, Doyle-Bascom Professor of Law and Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin–Madison
"Schmidt distills the complex legal landscape of the charitable sector into eight actionable precepts, empowering changemakers to pursue their missions with confidence and integrity."—Robert Katz, professor of law, Indiana University McKinney School of Law
About the Author
Elizabeth M. Schmidt is a professor of practice at the School of Public Policy in the University of Massachusetts Amherst who specializes in nonprofits, social enterprises, and policy analysis. She is coauthor of Nonprofit Law: The Life Cycle of a Charitable Organization, 3rd Edition (2021).
