About Nonprofit Counsel
We Power Purpose.
Built on over a decade of nonprofit experience, Nonprofit Counsel is here to guide mission-driven leaders through their biggest challenges.
OUR MISSION
We empower the transformative leaders changing our world.
Nonprofit leaders are asked to do more than ever — often with limited support, evolving compliance requirements, and little access to specialized guidance. We know because we’ve worked alongside founders, executives, and boards for over a decade.
Created by the team behind For Purpose Law Group (link here fplglaw.com), a nonprofit law firm serving purpose-driven organizations since 2012, Nonprofit Counsel is dedicated to providing proactive counsel for purpose-driven nonprofits. Through practical tools, education, and community, we equip nonprofit leaders with the clarity, confidence, and structure they need to build sustainable, compliant organizations.
We build what moves the mission forward
Leaders who carry the mission.
Founders, executive directors, board chairs, and finance leaders — the people responsible for guiding nonprofit governance, compliance, fundraising, and long-term sustainability. We serve the individuals who make high-stakes decisions every day — often without a clear roadmap or trusted sounding board.
Our Vision
A sector where no leader works alone.
Too often, access to expert legal and financial guidance depends on budget size — not need. We believe every nonprofit leader deserves clarity, credible guidance, and a strong community of support. We are building a future where expertise is accessible, compliance is manageable, and leadership feels less isolating.
What We Offer
Tools built for nonprofit leaders.
Nonprofit Counsel brings together technology, education, legal insight, and financial guidance. Whether you’re forming a 501(c)(3), navigating board dynamics, or strengthening compliance systems, our ecosystem is designed to reduce uncertainty and support confident decision-making.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
We're dedicated to illuminating the path to a stronger nonprofit sector
Nonprofits carry enormous responsibility, often without the clarity they deserve. We're building the tools the sector needs to deliver the leadership, action, and innovation the world urgently needs.
Create What Matters
We build what moves the mission forward
We focus our energy on creating tools and systems that make a meaningful difference for nonprofit leaders and the communities they serve.
Illuminate the Path
We bring clarity to complexity
Nonprofit leaders bear responsibility in challenging environments. We clarify complexity and provide direction for confident leadership.
Rise Together
We believe success is shared
The strongest future is built through trust, collaboration, and shared commitment. We create space for people to contribute and grow.
Empower Human Greatness
We use technology to strengthen human potential
Innovation should amplify the best in people. Our tools expands wisdom, strengthens leadership, and helps people act with courage and purpose.
We build what moves the mission forward
Create What Matters
We focus our energy on creating tools and systems that make a meaningful difference for nonprofit leaders and the communities they serve.
We bring clarity to complexity
Illuminate the Path
Nonprofit leaders bear responsibility in challenging environments. We clarify complexity and provide direction for confident leadership.
We believe success is shared
Rise Together
The strongest future is built through trust, collaboration, and shared commitment. We create space for people to contribute and grow.
We use technology to strengthen human potential
Empower Human Greatness
Innovation should amplify the best in people. Our tools expands wisdom, strengthens leadership, and helps people act with courage and purpose.
The People Powering the Platform
A dedicated team committed to making nonprofit expertise more accessible, practical, and actionable.
May L. Harris Esq., MA
Founder & CEO of Nonprofit Counsel
LinkedIn
Shelby Harris
Director of Operations
Haley Harris
Growth & Marketing Manager for Nonprofit Counsel.
Cameron Harris
Director of Client Solutions
May L. Harris Esq., MA
Founder & CEO of Nonprofit Counsel
LinkedInShelby Harris
Director of Operations
Haley Harris
Growth & Marketing Manager for Nonprofit Counsel.
Cameron Harris
Director of Client Solutions
Our story
One attorney. One gap. One decision to build something better.
May L. Harris, Esq., MA — nonprofit attorney, educator, and advocate — has spent decades advising mission-driven founders, executives, and boards navigating complex legal, governance, and operational decisions.
Across incorporation, 501(c)(3) filings, compliance challenges, and board transitions, she saw a consistent pattern: nonprofit leaders were doing extraordinary work, but without consistent access to the practical expertise required to sustain it.
So she built Nonprofit Counsel to close that gap.
Our Impact
Over a decade of nonprofit expertise - delivered at scale.
Nonprofits served
3,000+
Supporting nonprofits with legal, tax, governance, compliance, and financial issues since 2012.
Leaders reached
10,000+
Nonprofit leaders engaged through education, resources, podcast conversations, and community programs.
Years in the sector
13+
Years of extensive experience in nonprofit legal matters, governance, and day-to-day operations.
National reach
50 states
Serving nonprofit organizations across the United States — setting them up for success from inception.
From Nonprofit Counsel
Insight in every format you need.
Written for people doing the work
How to Start a Nonprofit That Will Change the World
May’s guide to nonprofit formation — covering 501(c)(3) filings, governance, compliance, and hidden challenges founders face.
Get the bookGuidance you can actually use.
The Nonprofit Counsel Blog
Actionable insights on nonprofit governance, compliance, and fundraising for leaders making decisions.
Read the blogInsight without jargon
The Nonprofit Counsel Podcast
Conversations on nonprofit law, governance, finance, and leadership — featuring founders and experts sharing practical insights.
Listen to the podcastWritten for people doing the work
How to Start a Nonprofit That Will Change the World
May’s guide to nonprofit formation — covering 501(c)(3) filings, governance, compliance, and hidden challenges founders face.
Get the bookGuidance you can actually use.
The Nonprofit Counsel Blog
Actionable insights on nonprofit governance, compliance, and fundraising for leaders making decisions.
Read the blogInsight without jargon
The Nonprofit Counsel Podcast
Conversations on nonprofit law, governance, finance, and leadership — featuring founders and experts sharing practical insights.
Listen to the podcast