Social Enterprise Lawyers for NFPs & Charities
- Expert legal advice for structuring your social enterprise.
- Guidance on for-profit, not-for-profit, and hybrid models.
- Support with governance, compliance, and financing.
- Protecting your mission while achieving commercial success.
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Our Services
Our Social Enterprise Law & Structuring Services
LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants offers a complete suite of legal services to help your NFP or startup launch and operate a successful social enterprise. Our experienced social enterprise lawyers provide practical advice to help you choose the right structure and navigate complex legal requirements.
1
Social Enterprise Structuring and Establishment
We provide expert legal advice on choosing the best legal structure for your social enterprise. We guide you through the benefits and downsides of for-profit, not-for-profit, and hybrid models to ensure your structure aligns with your mission and funding goals.
2
Governance and ACNC Charity Registration
Our lawyers assist in establishing a strong governance framework for your social enterprise. For NFP models, we advise on whether to register as a charity with the ACNC, helping you weigh the benefits of tax concessions against the regulatory obligations.
3
Financing Strategies and Funding Agreements
We advise on the legal implications of different financing options, from donations and grants for NFP structures to equity and impact investment for for-profit models. Our team can also draft and review your funding and commercial agreements.
4
Compliance and Intellectual Property Protection
We provide ongoing legal support to ensure your social enterprise complies with all relevant laws, including employment, privacy, and advertising. Our services also include protecting your brand and intellectual property through trademark and copyright advice.
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Our Tailored Approach to Social Enterprise Law
Our approach is centred on delivering practical legal solutions that empower your social enterprise to balance purpose with profit, navigate complex structuring decisions, and build a sustainable model for long-term impact.
Understanding Your Mission and Impact Model
We begin by gaining a thorough understanding of your social enterprise’s core mission, your “why,” and your intended impact model. This foundational step allows us to provide tailored legal advice on a structure that aligns precisely with your social, cultural, or environmental objectives.
Developing a Strategic Legal Structure
Our approach focuses on creating a clear, strategic pathway for establishing your legal structure. We consider the benefits and downsides of for-profit, not-for-profit, and hybrid models, helping you choose a framework that supports your funding needs, governance, and long-term sustainability.
Implementation and Compliance Support
We assist with the hands-on implementation of your chosen structure, from incorporation to drafting foundational documents. Our support ensures your social enterprise is set up to comply with all relevant regulations, protecting your mission as you grow.
Why Choose LawBridge as Your Social Enterprise Lawyer
Choosing the right legal partner is essential for structuring a social enterprise that successfully balances purpose and profit. LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants provides expert, tailored support to help you navigate the unique legal complexities of this innovative sector.
Experienced Social Enterprise Lawyers
Our team brings extensive legal expertise to the structuring of social enterprises. We provide strategic advice on choosing between for-profit, not-for-profit, and hybrid models to best suit your mission, funding, and operational needs.
Deep Understanding of the NFP and For-Profit Worlds
LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants offers deep insight into both the charitable and commercial sectors. This enables us to provide practical legal advice that helps you access diverse funding sources, from grants and donations to equity and impact investment.
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Consult with Our Specialist NFP Startup Legal Team
Team
Meet Our Dedicated NFP & Charity Law Team
The LawBridge team includes dedicated not-for-profit lawyers focused on providing exceptional legal support to charities and not-for-profit organisations. We understand the unique operational environment and legal complexities faced by the NFP sector.
Adam Jacobs
Partner & Co-Founder
Ramia Abdo Sultan
Partner & Co-Founder
Mohamad Kammoun
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
Comprehensive Not-for-Profit & Charity Law Services
LawBridge offers a comprehensive suite of legal services tailored to the specific needs of the not-for-profit (NFP) and charity sector.
NFP Governance & ACNC Compliance
Strengthen governance and meet ACNC requirements with legal advice on board duties, reporting, and regulatory obligations.
NFP Employment & Workplace
Navigate employment law confidently with guidance on hiring, contracts, workplace policies, disputes, and regulatory compliance.
Government Funding Agreements for NFPs
Understand and manage government funding contracts with legal support for obligations, compliance, and risk mitigation.
NFP Tax Concessions & DGR
Clear guidance on securing tax concessions and DGR status, with support for eligibility, applications, and compliance.
Charity Fundraising, Donations & Sponsors
Ensure your fundraising activities meet legal standards with advice on compliance, donor agreements, and fundraising regulations.
NFP & Charity Set-Up
Start strong with legal guidance on structure, registration, charitable status, and long-term compliance planning.
Charity Disputes & ACNC Investigations
Resolve internal and external disputes and respond to investigations with expert legal support tailored to charitable organisations.
NFP Mergers, Corporate Restructuring & Collaborations
Strategic legal advice for mergers, restructures, and partnerships that align with your mission and regulatory obligations.
NFP Intellectual Property
Protect your brand, content, and innovations with legal advice on trademarks, copyright, licensing, and IP strategy.
Property Lawyers for NFPs
Expert legal support for leasing, acquiring, and managing property assets aligned with your charitable objectives.
Charitable Trust & Foundations
Expert support for establishing and managing trusts and foundations, ensuring compliance, governance, and long-term charitable impact.
Social Enterprise for NFPs
Build sustainable impact with legal advice on hybrid models, income generation, governance, and regulatory compliance.
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Speak with Our Experienced Social Enterprise Structuring Lawyers
What is a Social Enterprise in Australia?
A social enterprise is an innovative type of organisation that uses a commercial business model to achieve a social, cultural, or environmental mission. While there is no single legal definition in Australia, it is fundamentally about using business skills to solve societal problems and create a fairer, more sustainable world.
Unlike traditional businesses, a social enterprise’s primary purpose is public or community benefit, not just private profit. Our social enterprise lawyers provide the essential legal advice to help you build a model that embeds your mission into its core operations.
Choosing a Legal Structure for Your Social Enterprise
One of the most critical decisions is choosing the right legal structure. Your choice will impact your access to funding, your eligibility for tax concessions, and your governance obligations. Common options include for-profit companies, not-for-profit structures like an incorporated association, or even a hybrid model.
A for-profit structure allows for equity investment, while a not-for-profit organisation can access grants and donations. We provide expert legal help to navigate these options, ensuring your chosen structure aligns with both your commercial and social goals.
For-Profit vs. Not-for-Profit Social Enterprise Models
The key difference between a for-profit and not-for-profit social enterprise is how profits are used. A not-for-profit reinvests all profits back into its mission (a “mission lock”), while a for-profit can distribute some profits to owners and investors, balancing this with reinvestment in its social purpose.
Changing structures later can be costly and time-consuming. As your trusted legal partner, we provide the legal support to make the right choice from the start, considering your long-term vision for both impact and sustainability.
Should Your Social Enterprise Register as a Charity?
A not-for-profit social enterprise may be eligible to register as a charity with the ACNC. The primary benefit is access to significant tax concessions, which can be a powerful advantage. However, this comes with stricter regulatory restrictions and governance requirements.
Deciding whether the benefits of charity registration outweigh the limitations is a crucial strategic decision. Our charity lawyers can provide the legal service to assess your eligibility and advise on whether becoming a registered charity is the right path for your social enterprise.
Insights
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Stay informed with our latest thinking on legal developments, commercial challenges, and opportunities across the sectors we serve.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Social Enterprise Law
LawBridge supports not-for-profits with clear social enterprise guidance. Explore answers to common questions about hybrid models, income generation, and legal compliance.
What is a social enterprise?
A social enterprise is an organisation that operates like a business, trading goods or services, but uses its business model and profits primarily to achieve a social, cultural, or environmental mission for community benefit.
Is there a specific legal structure for a social enterprise in Australia?
No, there is no single, specific legal structure. A social enterprise can be structured as a for-profit company, a not-for-profit organisation (like a company limited by guarantee), or a hybrid of both.
What is the difference between a for-profit and not-for-profit social enterprise?
The main difference is the use of profits. A not-for-profit social enterprise must reinvest all profits back into its mission (a “mission lock”). A for-profit social enterprise can distribute some profits to owners/investors while still reinvesting the majority to achieve its social purpose.
Can a social enterprise also be a registered charity?
Yes, if a social enterprise is structured as a not-for-profit and has a charitable purpose for the public benefit, it may be eligible to register as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
What are the benefits of registering a social enterprise as a charity?
The primary benefit is access to significant tax concessions, such as income tax exemption and potentially Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, which can make it easier to attract donations and grants.
How does my legal structure affect funding for my social enterprise?
Your structure is critical for funding. For-profit structures can access equity and impact investment. Not-for-profit structures are typically required for philanthropic grants and tax-deductible donations.
What is a "hybrid structure" for a social enterprise?
A hybrid structure involves using a combination of not-for-profit and for-profit entities. This can provide flexibility, allowing the enterprise to access both investment opportunities and certain tax concessions or grants.
What is an "impact model" for a social enterprise?
An impact model describes how your social enterprise achieves its mission. Common models include the “direct benefit model” (e.g., creating jobs for a specific group) or a “donation model” (generating profits to donate to another charity).
What is Social Traders certification?
Social Traders is an organisation that certifies social enterprises in Australia. This certification can help your enterprise access procurement opportunities with corporate and government partners who have social procurement policies.
Why do I need a specialist lawyer for a social enterprise?
A specialist lawyer can help you navigate the complex decision of choosing the right legal structure (for-profit, NFP, or hybrid), ensure you are compliant with all regulations, and advise on how to protect your social mission while operating commercially.
100% Obligation-Free
Speak with Our Experienced Social Enterprise Structuring Lawyers
100% Obligation-Free
Speak with Our Experienced Social Enterprise Structuring Lawyers