In the second episode of Give Smart, we’re joined by Nathan Thomas, Partner at Copilevitz, Lam & Raney, to dig into the legal requirements that apply when companies or platforms fundraise on behalf of nonprofits. With decades of experience advising both charities and for-profit brands, Nathan breaks down the nuances between professional fundraisers and commercial co-ventures, and explains how state laws – particularly in California – are reshaping how companies can give back.
One major theme of the episode is California AB 488, a relatively new law that has introduced broad requirements for charitable fundraising platforms. Nathan shares how the law is impacting national charities, especially when it comes to maintaining “good standing” and navigating long processing delays that can temporarily cut off critical fundraising access. He also talks about round-up campaigns and the growing challenges companies face when trying to build simple, legally compliant donation flows at checkout.
For companies planning their first cause marketing campaign – or nonprofits wondering how to stay compliant across multiple states – this episode offers practical insights from one of the country’s top compliance attorneys.
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