We’re ready to help the helpers

17 Mar 2020

Updated: 27 May 2020

The impacts of COVID-19 on the community sector are as unprecedented as the virus itself.

We’ve seen organisations cancel key events, restrict travel, and struggle to balance staff and volunteer safety with their commitment to delivering public services and support for the community.

Our Not-for-profit Law team is ready to help. We’re Australia’s only specialist legal service for community organisations and not-for-profits. With over 10 years’ experience, we know the issues that organisations face are different to those of business.

We have ramped up our support for organisations affected by COVID-19. By working remotely and leveraging our network of 10,000 lawyers, we are “helping the helpers” across Australia get urgent legal advice and practical information to deal with this global emergency.

We’ve got the right help, right now 

We work with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and social enterprises as well as charities and other not-for-profits.

We know the questions community organisations face are unique.

  • Do you treat volunteers and employees differently when it comes to working remotely?
  • Do you need to cancel your AGM or can you do it online or via teleconference?
  • Will insurance cover you?
  • What happens if you can’t meet your targets under our funding agreeements?

We work remotely online and on the phone, so we can continue to provide services if there is a shut down.

Our free legal resources can help you 24/7 with a range of guides, factsheets, checklists, web apps. Since March, we have created new FAQs covering COVID-19 related issues from contracts and insurance to privacy, holding meetings remotely, and your responsibilities to volunteers and employees.

Our webinars will keep you updated with the latest advice. We have a catalogue of free on-demand webinars responding to the most pressing issues that have arisen from this crisis. Over 1,600 people have already accessed our webinars. They’re a great way to upskill when working from home.

We have a dedicated team of lawyers who can help you with timely advice over the phone. Since March 28% of our legal enquiries have been from organisations dealing with COVID-19 related legal issues.

Using our award winning technology, we can harness the support of 10,000 lawyers in our 60+ Justice Connect member firms. They can advise your organisation for free on a wide range of specialist legal issues via email, over the phone or by video link.

For one-to-one advice from our lawyers or member firms, we prioritise small-medium organisations who support people experiencing disadvantage or marginalisation, or with public interest objectives. We consider matters on a case by case basis, guided by these criteria.

Read more about our Not-for-profit Law team’s COVID-19 response.

Stay up to date

  • Sign up for free email updates

  • Check out our NFP Law website – this is where you will find our COVID-19 resources and access our webinars

  • If you have a legal concern now, make an enquiry using our online enquiry form and we will get back to you with specialist advice as soon as possible.

The Australian not-for-profit sector always stands up in a crisis and we are standing up too. We’re here to help the helpers.