Episode 10 – Avoiding Legal Pitfalls for California Nonprofits

Host: May Harris, Esq.

Guest: Gene Takagi

“Some pro bono lawyers or lawyers on the board that practice in other areas of the law think if you comply with 501c3, that's the end of the game. You don't need to worry about state law because state law will mirror the federal tax law. And that's not true at all, right? No, it's not at all.”

- Gene Takagi

In This Episode

Practical insights to help California nonprofits lead with confidence and stay legally sound.

Running a nonprofit in California comes with unique challenges—and critical legal responsibilities. In this episode, May sits down with nonprofit attorney Gene Takagi of NEO Law Group to unpack the key differences between state and federal compliance, why oversight is often lacking, and how leaders can avoid common missteps that jeopardize their mission. Whether you’re launching a new organization or strengthening an existing one, you’ll walk away with two must-know tips to build a strong, legally sound nonprofit.

Key Takeaways

Insightful moments and lessons from the conversation.

  • The crucial differences between state and federal nonprofit compliance requirements.

  • Why strong governing documents are the foundation of every compliant nonprofit.

  • How the Attorney General’s office uncovers issues with nonprofits—and how to stay off their radar.

  • Why your mission statement and board selection process matter more than you think.

  • Two practical tips for building a compliant, sustainable organization.

Guest Bio: Gene Takagi

Gene Takagi is the principal of NEO Law Group in San Francisco and contributing publisher of the widely read Nonprofit Law Blog. A part-time lecturer at Columbia University, Gene has been featured in The New York Times, The Nonprofit Quarterly, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. With a career spanning corporate law, nonprofit leadership, and management consulting, Gene was honored as the 2016 Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer by the American Bar Association.

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