For information on the new Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act please click here.  See our COVID-19 Support Page for more info and resources.

Training Videos

Communities Rise offers nonprofit and small business legal training videos on a variety of topics. All training videos come with electronic copies of handouts upon request.

We currently offer the following types of videos:

  • Free Training Videos
    • These videos are free and available for anyone to access at any time.
  • On-Demand CLE Training Videos
    • Each video is priced individually and lists the associated CLE credits.
    • We offer a discounted rate for Communities Rise volunteers, nonprofit staff and board members, small business owners, and community members.
Videos by Topic

Free Training Videos

Trademark Basics for Small Businesses

The Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act and Membership (2022)

  • Changes to the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act include a more comprehensive set of rules for membership corporations, comparable to other states. These provisions apply to organizations that provide in their bylaws for voting members who elect the board of directors or vote on one or more fundamental transactions of the organization. Join this webinar to learn about the detailed guidance outlined by the updated act.

The Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act and Youth on Boards (2022)

  • The Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act includes proactive language allowing for individuals under the age of 18 to serve on the Board of Directors for a Nonprofit. Washington Nonprofits hosted a webinar about these provisions and what nonprofit leaders need to know. Featuring Maha Jafarey and Jacob Ferrari from Apex Law Group.

What’s new with the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act? (2021)

  • Check out this webinar about the changes to the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act, featuring Maha Jafarey and Tara Vitale of Apex Law Group. It includes a breakdown of the new law and answers to questions from nonprofit leaders across Washington.

Nonprofit Fiscal Sponsorship (2020)

  • This webinar was hosted in November 2020 and explains what a fiscal sponsorship relationship is and what a fiscal sponsorship agreement should include. It includes a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of a fiscal sponsorship structure. We explain when and why a nonprofit organization would enter into a fiscal sponsorship relationship, the key components of that relationship, drafting a fiscal sponsorship agreement, common pitfalls and misunderstandings of fiscal sponsorship agreements. Speakers share both legal requirements and practical tips on making a successful fiscal sponsorship relationship. Speaker: Madhu Singh of Foundry Law Group

Covid-19 Support (2020)

The New Overtime Rules: A New Perspective (2020)

  • 2020 is ushering in new rules on the federal and state levels covering employees who are exempt from minimum wage and overtime pay. Generally, employees must be paid minimum wage and receive overtime pay, but certain “white collar” employees (bona fide executive, administrative, professional, or outside sales employees) are exempt from those rules if they meet a minimum salary level and certain job duties tests. Both the federal and state labor agencies have made changes to the exempt employee rules that will be effective in 2020. Nonprofit and small business employers may be impacted by the new rules.

Social Media Best Practices for Nonprofits (2019)

  • Using social media is now almost a necessity in running a nonprofit. Everyone uses it and social media can be powerful tool in getting news about your organization out to your constituents. Social media is also used to promote events, post job postings, and advocacy. However, social media also brings risks that can compromise your organization. Because social media is powerful, mistakes can have significant consequences. Join us for this webinar to learn about the legal considerations and risks that every nonprofit using social media should be aware of. Learn also about best practices to make the most out of social media and avoid the potential hazards of using social media. Specifically, we will talk about potential for causing harm to others, misusing of intellectual property and policies around employees use of social media.

Essential Privacy for Nonprofits (2019)

  • Privacy, data protection, and data breaches are in the headlines almost daily. But what do you as a nonprofit need to understand about privacy, the legal and non-legal risks to your operations, and what you should be doing now about it? This webinar is focused on the importance of understanding what nonprofits need to know about privacy and what they should do regarding handling of personal data.

Bylaws Webinar Workshop (2018)

  • All nonprofits need bylaws. Bylaws is the governing document for the nonprofit and its board of directors. But what does that mean? What is the real purpose of the bylaws and what provisions should be in bylaws?
  • This workshop is essential for all nonprofits. We will go over the Communities Rise Nonprofit Self-Assessment Legal Checklist, which includes state and Federal legal compliance requirements for nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations as well as best-practices for nonprofit governance.

Nuts and Bolts of Nonprofit Law Part 1 (2017)

  • Communities Rise’s signature nonprofit legal training is everything you need to know to create a new Washington nonprofit and obtain 501c3 tax-exemption. In the 2017 Edition, we focus on using the IRS Form 1023EZ, which is the application for tax-exemption for nonprofits with smaller budgets. Attorneys Judy Andrews, Apex Law Group and Tony McCormick, Perkins Coie, bring years of experience practicing nonprofit law here in Washington. Judy will talk about creating a nonprofit under Washington State Law and Tony will walk you through applying for 501c3 tax-exemption using the Form 1023EZ and discuss key requirements of 501c3 tax-exempt organizations, under Federal tax law.

Nuts and Bolts of Nonprofit Law Part 2 (2015)

  • Nonprofit organizations do great work in our communities. Nonprofit founders and board members work hard to make their vision a reality and then volunteers and staff focus on the day-to-day programs of fulfilling their mission. There’s often very little time to think about the on-going details that keep your organization is in compliance with state and federal tax laws.
  • This is Communities Rise signature nonprofit seminar will review the state and federal tax compliance requirements and issues Washington nonprofits and 501c3 tax-exempt organizations face on an ongoing basis, that are often overlooked. Topics will include: fiduciary duties of directors and officers, Charitable Solicitation Act, governance policies, Form 990 reporting, private inurement and private benefit (executive compensation), lobbying and political activities, charitable contribution issues, unrelated business income and other issues.
  • This seminar is ideal for attorneys and nonprofit staff who have already taken Communities Rise’s Nuts and Bolts of Nonprofit Law, Part 1 seminar or have some experience working with nonprofits.

Serving Nonprofits from the Inside Out (2016)

  • This series of videos was recorded at the first annual Nonprofit Law Institute on October 28, 2016 at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington. The Nonprofit Law Institute is a collaborative project of the WSBA Corporate Counsel Section and Communities Rise (formerly Wayfind).

Private Foundations (2015)

  • There are many private foundations in Washington State and we have had several requests for a legal training on this topic. This training will cover the following questions: What is a private foundation and how is it different from a charitable nonprofit? What are the special tax rules that govern private foundations? Join us and learn about the legal ins and outs of private foundations in Washington State.

The New Form 1023EZ (2015)

  • In this 2 hour recorded training, you will learn about the new IRS Form 1023EZ, which is the shorter online application for 501c3 tax-exempt status. Speakers David Lawson, Davis Wright Tremaine and Nathaniel Taylor, Ellis, Li & McKinstry discuss considerations on whether you are ready to apply for 501c3 tax-exemption, eligibility to use the Form 1023EZ, and how to apply using the Form 1023EZ.

Microenterprise 101 (2014)

  • Communities Rise’s signature microenterprise legal training is designed for attorneys who want to volunteer at Communities Rise’s Microenterprise Legal Clinics. In this 4 hour recorded training, speakers Rodger Kohn, Toulsey, Brain, Stephens, Jennifer Jolley, Perkins Coie, and Kyle Flindt, Aeon Law discuss the common legal issues that micro-enterpreneurs face and that arise at the legal clinics: choice of entity, contracts, intellectual property, patents, general advising at the microenterprise legal clinic.

On-Demand CLE Accredited Videos

How to Rent Training Videos

If you are a member of the community and are not seeking CLE credits as an attorney, you may gain access to these videos at a discounted rate. Just emailcontact@communities-rise.org for the access code.

Rented training videos are available to watch for 3 days. The fee depends on the length of the training recording. Preview “trailers” are available for each video before purchase.

Communities Rise volunteer attorneys are given free access under the following conditions:

  • Have signed up for 3 of our legal clinics (access to 1 free video).
  • Have signed up for one of our legal matters (access to 1 free video).

Once you have determined the video(s) you want to rent:

  1. Contact us to
    1. Request the handouts for the training.
    2. Determine if you qualify for as a volunteer for one of our discounted rates.
  2. We will send you the handouts, training survey link, and discount code (if applicable).
  3. Visit our Video on Demand page and select the video you wish to rent or scroll down to view the list below.

Washington’s New Nonprofit Corporation Act

$63 Attorneys with 1.25 CLE credits Law and Legal

This session will give a general overview of the new Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act. Speakers will give a deeper dive into relevant topics such as compliance, fiduciary duties, charitable assets, and enforcement from the Attorney General’s Office.

Speakers: David Lawson, Davis Wright Tremaine; Judy Andrews, Apex Law Group

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2021 on November 10, 2021 in Seattle, Washington.

Membership Ins and Outs

$25 Attorneys with .5 CLE credit Law and Legal

This second session on the new Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act will discuss relevant topics as they apply to membership-based nonprofit organizations. This will include new information on articles of incorporation and bylaws, updates around member admission and termination, meetings and voting rights, and more.

Speakers: Nat Taylor, ELM Law; Andrea Templeton, K&L Gates

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2021 on November 10, 2021 in Seattle, Washington.

Power, Privilege, and Service

$50 Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Ethics

Attorneys hold various types of power and privilege that can impact their work when serving communities of color and other under-represented groups. Our keynote presentation aims to discuss those power and privilege dynamics, focusing on how we can overcome systemic barriers to better serve and collaborate with clients from all walks of life. We will review some of the historic moments within the United States that are still impacting the legal system today, and the role and responsibilities attorneys have within these contexts to ensure that the law does not continue to unfairly impact disenfranchised communities.

Speaker: Andrea Caupain, CEO of Byrd Barr Place

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2021 on November 10, 2021 in Seattle, Washington.

The Ethics of Representing Community-Based Nonprofits

$50 Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Ethics

How can attorneys ethically serve communities from diverse backgrounds? In this interactive session, panelists will discuss relevant RPCs as they apply to working with community-based nonprofits and underserved groups. The audience will be put into breakout rooms to work through a series of hypotheticals, followed by a large-group discussion of their findings.

Speakers: Kyle Richard, Foster Garvey; Andrea Caupain, Byrd Barr Place; Aneelah Afzali, Executive Director of the American Muslim Empowerment Network at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS-AMEN)

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2021 on November 10, 2021 in Seattle, Washington.

Deep Dive Into the Form 1023

$75 Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Attorney Lorri Dunsmore, Perkins Coie, walks through the IRS Form 1023 application for 501c3 tax-exemption. Ms. Dunsmore explains the application process, what the IRS is looking for, and on-going compliance issues that are raised in the Form 1023.

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2017 on November 2, 2017 at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington.

Fiscal Sponsorship: Compliance and Best Practices

$100 Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Attorney Madhu Singh, The Foundry Law Group, explains what is the nature of a fiscal sponsorship relationship, what should be addressed in a fiscal sponsorship agreement, what the IRS looks for when assessing a fiscal sponsorship relationship, and best practices for a successful fiscal sponsorship relationship.

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2017 on November 2, 2017 at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington.

State and Local Law Tax Rules for Nonprofits

$50 Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Tax Accountant/Attorney Bob Heller, Clark Nuber explains the local and state tax rules that apply to nonprofits.

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2017 on November 2, 2017 at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington.

Speed-Reading Form 990 for Non-Accountants

$50 Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

In “Speed-Reading Form 990 for Non-Accountants”, Tax Accountant Howard Donkin of Jacobson Jarvis, explains the purpose of the Form 990 and how to read and understand it and spot red flags.

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2017 on November 2, 2017 at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington.

Private Foundations Deeper Dive

$50 Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Nonprofit Attorney David Lawson, Davis Wright Tremaine, explains how a “private foundation” is different from other charities under the section 501c3 of the tax-code and what the specific compliance requirements are for private foundations.

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2017 on November 2, 2017 at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington.

Proposed Revisions to the Washington State Nonprofit Statute

$50 Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Attorneys Judy Andrews and Jessica Breitbarth give you preview of the proposed new Washington State Nonprofit Statute. Both Judy and Jessica are members of the WSBA Business Law Section Nonprofit Committee who are helping to draft the new statute. The statute is expected to become law in 2019.

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2017 on November 2, 2017 at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington.

Internal Controls for Nonprofits

$60 for Attorneys with 2.0 CLE credits Law and Legal

This is a recording of the Internal Controls for Nonprofits presented in Seattle in September of 2018. The presenters are attorney Peter Smith, Apex Law Group and CPA Candi Avery, Clark Nuber. They discuss how to prevent financial mismanagement and fraud and what to do after financial mismanagement and fraud are discovered.

Advocacy and Lobbying for Nonprofits

$55 for Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Elaine Rose, David Lawson, and David Streeter discuss the do’s and dont’s around advocacy and lobbying for nonprofit organizations in Washington State.

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2018 on November 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

Preventing #Metoo: What Nonprofits Need to Know

$55 for Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Presented by Kerry Robinson, Foster Pepper, Bob Howie, Fox Rothschild

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2018 on November 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

Current Developments in the Law for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations

$50 for Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Presented by Bruce Hopkins

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2018 on November 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

Exciting Updates in Accounting and Tax for Nonprofits

$50 for Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Presented by Jennifer Becker Harris and Deby Macleod, Clark Nuber

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2018 on November 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

Data Security for Nonprofits

$50 for Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Presented by Jacob Young, Microsoft

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2018 on November 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

$75 for Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Facilitated by Ken Miller, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Maja Larson, Allen Institute, Rather Atherton, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2018 on November 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

Protecting the Public: How the State Regulates Nonprofits

$50 for Attorneys with 1 CLE credit Law and Legal

Presented by Scott Douglas, Office of the Secretary of State, Corporate and Charities Division, and Dave Horn, Office of the Attorney General

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2018 on November 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

Ethics of Board Service & Representing Nonprofits

$80 Attorneys with 1.75 CLE credits Ethics

Presented by Jeanne Marie Clavere, WSBA; Judy Andrews, Apex Law Group; Lorri Dunsmore, Perkins Coie; facilitated by David Lawson, Davis Wright Tremaine.

This is a video recording of a session held at the Nonprofit Law Institute 2018 on November 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

If you have any questions about our training videos, please contact us.