Summit Impact: Non-Profit / For-Profit Governance

Company

Summit Impact fosters global change by stewarding resources and relationships for impact-driven leaders. They convene a diverse community of business leaders, academic experts, and creative storytellers to empower impact entrepreneurs through collective learning and collaboration. By cultivating a network of open-hearted, imaginative leaders who turn ideas into action, Summit Impact aims to create a more just and sustainable world.

Challenge

When we first engaged with the Summit Impact team, they were in the midst of transitioning from Summit Series to form an independent non-profit organization. They sought guidance on non-profit governance, particularly regarding the future relationship between the two entities after the spin-off.

Solution

To clearly delineate the relationship between the for-profit and non-profit entities, we negotiated and drafted a licensing agreement and resource sharing agreement. This established clear expectations and terms for how the two organizations would interact. Additionally, we put in place a governance structure that ensured Summit Impact operated in compliance with state and IRS regulations as well as its own ethical standards.

Impact

Since spinning off from Summit Series, Summit Impact has thrived as an independent non-profit. Our strategic counsel established optimal governance structures and policies to guide their transition, supporting Summit Impact’s successful launch. This enabled them to carry out their unique mission autonomously while maintaining a collaborative partnership with Summit Series. The organization can now execute its mission with full autonomy while still benefiting from its alliance with the affiliated for-profit entity.

Working with Kyle and the team at Westaway has been ideal for setting up our nonprofit. We had other legal counsel initially and I can't speak highly enough of the Westaway team and how happy are to have found them and switched! Most recently, they helped us navigate complex partnerships with an incredible amount of care, clarity, and diligence. Would recommend to anyone working in social impact, especially if working with nonprofit/for-profit partnerships or hybrid models. Having Westaway in your court is a game-changer as a startup founder, and their structure of charging project-fees instead of billing per hour changes everything!

Shira Abramowitz, CEO Summit Impact

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