Financial & Legal Services

Incorporation Services

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CCSA offers incorporation services at pro bono and reduced rates to qualifying members. Incorporation services include:

  • Securing nonprofit corporate status for your charter school
  • Drafting related corporate documents such as bylaws and board resolutions
  • Preparing federal and state income tax exemption applications to obtain exempt 501(c)(3) status.

Services are limited, and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

CCSA offers other legal resources as well, including the Legal Defense Fund.

Eligibility Requirements:
Pro bono services eligibility

  • CCSA Members opening schools in LA County *
  • Free and Reduced Price lunch:  at least 50% of targeted students are eligible
  • Demonstrated lack of resources to retain a private attorney
  • CCSA staff will help you determine eligibility.
    * subject to certain geographical restrictions
 Reduced rate services eligibility
  • CCSA Members opening schools in California
  • Free and Reduced Price lunch: at least 30% of targeted students are eligible
  • CCSA staff will help you determine eligibility.
Service Providers:
Pro bono services will be provided by
  • Staff attorneys at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)
  • Volunteer attorneys supervised by staff attorneys at Public Counsel.
  • LAFLA and Public Counsel are public interest law firms which serve a diverse range of low-income communities in southern California
 Reduced rate services will be provided by
  • The private law firm of Middleton, Young, and Minney, LLP (MYM)
  • MYM has been representing charter schools throughout California in all aspects of charter school creation and operation since 1992.
Costs of Service:
Pro Bono Service Fees
  • Filing associated with the incorporation and tax exemption process (total ~ $800)
  • No fee for legal services
 Reduced Rate Services Fees
  • Filing associated with the incorporation and tax exemption process (total ~ $800)
  • Legal services: flat fee of ~ $1,500. This is a discount of upwards of $3,000. 

To ensure prompt filing, charter school developers must provide detailed information within the timeframe specified by CCSA and the assigned attorneys. This information includes:

  • Budget and financial projections
  • Board member and senior staff bios
  • Description of school's educational program and governance structure

Want additional information? Contact the Incorporation Services team.