Nonprofits

Since our founding over a century ago, leading nonprofit organizations throughout the nation have sought our counsel. As is often the case at Hemenway & Barnes, many of our relationships begin by helping with an initial issue and evolve into close, trusted, long-term relationships. Our clients vary widely in size and complexity, including:

  • Colleges and universities
  • Cultural and performing arts centers
  • Hospitals and healthcare plans
  • Private foundations and grant-making organizations
  • Publicly supported entities with a broad range of purposes and operations
  • Religious organizations
  • Trustees of charitable trusts

In addition, many of Hemenway & Barnes' professionals serve as directors and trustees of a large number of charitable organizations. This gives us valuable insight and deep understanding of the issues faced by our nonprofit clients. We often stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients in the understanding of the nonprofit world.

How can we help you?

Nonprofit Representation
From corporate governance to tax planning, we provide a full range of services to private foundations and public charities.
Philanthropic Advisory
We offer a full range of philanthropic advisory and grant-making services to private foundations, trusts, individuals, families, and other entities.
Government & Election Law
From government entities and candidates to businesses and nonprofits, we help clients navigate the intersection of law, public policy and government action.
Real Estate Law
We partner with our clients to meet the varied real estate needs of start-up developers and large corporations, lenders, nonprofits, and families.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
From high-stakes business litigation to probate and land use and real estate litigation, we help clients resolve difficult disputes.
Wealth Management
We help individuals and families enhance and protect their wealth by building enduring relationships rooted in high-quality, practical, and distinctly personal service.

Looking to apply for a grant?

Click below for information on our foundation clients.

Charitable Foundations

You don’t just want to give your money away – you want to ensure that your philanthropic legacy is effecting real change in the world. We want to be a part of that. Every year, Hemenway & Barnes connects foundations with opportunities to maximize the social value of charitable assets.

PODCAST: Articles, Bylaws and Corporate Law: The ABCs of Nonprofit Membership Corporations

Does your nonprofit corporation have members? If so, do you know who they are and whether they get to vote on key matters affecting your organization? Not sure if you have members? Listen to this podcast with Brad Bedingfield and Eleanor Evans.

Sitting on a Nonprofit Board

This guidebook summarizes both the practical and the legal considerations of board service in an easy-to-reference question-and-answer format. It is intended to help our clients who operate nonprofits or serve on nonprofit boards.

News & Resources

Event

Hemenway & Barnes Partners with MNN for Public Policy Forum Featuring MassHealth COO Elizabeth LaMontagne

Hemenway & Barnes is pleased to continue its partnership with the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network for the 2025 Public Policy Forum Series.

News

Hemenway & Barnes Achieves National and Regional Recognition in 2026 Best Law Firms® Rankings

Hemenway & Barnes has achieved national and regional rankings in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms,” with four practices ranked nationally and nine ranked regionally.

Publication

Introduction to Serving on a Nonprofit Board On-demand Webinar

Thinking of joining a nonprofit board? This 30-minute webinar will introduce essential board roles and responsibilities, along with the practical and legal considerations of serving.
How can we help you?
We invite you to explore our website and contact us directly to discuss your legal and fiduciary needs.
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