What is NPLO?
Nonprofit Law Ontario (NPLO) is a social enterprise which provides out-of-the-box and custom legal education and training for public benefit nonprofits.
This project was initially launched by Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) in 2013, and transferred to ONN in 2024.
What we can teach
NPLO does not provide legal advice, representation, or services. This means that we:
- Can provide general information, but not information specific to your situation or organization.
- Can offer perspective, but cannot give you specific recommendations.
- Cannot provide legal interpretation and analysis of complex situations.
It is outside the scope of our work to be hired to do things, such as review governing documents, get involved in governance disputes, or otherwise handle complaints.
Workshops and working sessions
NPLO currently offers various live or virtual workshops for your network or convening.
Check out this listing of available workshops and working sessions, including:
- Incorporating as a nonprofit
- Applying for charitable status
- Reading and negotiating funding agreements
- Conflicts of interest 101.
Upcoming webinars
Check back often for an updated listed of webinars, or sign up for the NPLO e-news to receive updates.
Who we teach
NPLO works with single and groups of nonprofits who believe legal education can help them drive greater impact. Examples of who we’ve worked with in the past include:
- Foundations like Laidlaw Foundation
- National networks like Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts
- Provincial networks like Older Adult Centres Association of Ontario
- Provincial Ministries like the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Gaming
- Municipalities like York Region
- Community Futures like Renfrew Community Futures Development Corporation.
NPLO can also offer on an ad-hoc basis:
- Workshops on legal aspects of high priority topics to the nonprofit sector.
- Speaking at pre-planned events and classes.
Check out our flyer for more details on pricing and examples of NPLO’s work. To book a workshop, reach out to ONN staff lawyer, lead for Nonprofit Law Ontario, Benjamin Miller.
Why work with NPLO
- Experienced: 180+ legal workshops delivered to 8,000+ participants and co-creators, with 2,500+ legal enquiries answered since 2017.
- Economical: 60 per cent of participants responding to post-workshop surveys told us our workshops reduced or eliminated their need to seek legal advice representing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cost savings on legal fees.
- Effective: Our workshops keep your big picture in mind. That’s why 78 per cent of survey respondents left feeling the workshop would enhance their organizational effectiveness.
- Empowering: We’re not here to scare you. We want you to understand the legal tools available to you and we fundamentally believe in your ability to use them best.
History and acknowledgements
- 2013: Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) launches project to help nonprofits transition to ONCA, called “Get Ready for the ONCA.”
- 2017: Project expands to include information on how grassroots groups can incorporate.
- 2021: ONCA takes effect. Project rebrands as Nonprofit Law Ontario (NPLO), a project of CLEO.
- 2022: NPLO adopts networked approach to public legal education and develops innovative methods, including the popular “Bring Your Own Bylaws” workshop.
- 2023: NPLO reaches 6,000+ participants at 120+ workshops, completed legal needs study of the sector.
- 2024: CLEO transfers the NPLO project to ONN.
ONN is grateful to CLEO for over a decade of partnership and for all that it has done to support the nonprofit sector of Ontario. ONN is committed to growing the educational mission and innovative educational approaches to continue serving the legal needs of the sector.
We are also grateful to funders of the past, including:
- Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery
- Law Foundation of Ontario
- Lawson Foundation.
Stay informed
If you have any questions about this project, you can reach out to benjamin@theonn.ca. For updates on our project, learnings, and related resources or events, subscribe below!
