Social Enterprise

Catalyst lawyers practice at the intersection of for-profit business and non-profit law. We help forge relationships between entrepreneurs, impact investors, philanthropists, non-profits, and other NGOs — an ecosystem where each participant feeds the success of the other.

At Catalyst Law, the Social Enterprise practice integrates business and non-profit law to devise hybrid and tandem corporate structures. Such integrated structures allow business ventures to attract traditional capital and operate for profit, while also attracting philanthropic capital and honoring a social mission through an affiliated non-profit organization. Conversely, such structures also assist non-profit organizations to strengthen their functional independence and reduce their reliance on grants and donations. For example, we have advised non-profit organizations on creative ways to monetize intellectual property and other proprietary assets, perhaps through one or more for-profit affiliates.

In addition to structuring integrations for-profit and non-profit tandem and hybrid ventures, as an Oregon benefit company, Catalyst Law advises clients on formation of benefit corporations and B-Corporation certification, debt and equity investment transactions, for-profit exit transactions, joint venture and other collaborative relationships, taxation, and other compliance matters. We also advise private foundations on structures, such as mission related investing (MRI) and program related investing (PRI), to promote charitable giving and the support of various non-profit causes while at the same time generating return on investments and creating a lasting legacy.

Catalyst Law advises businesses with the structuring and execution of community-based fundraising, such as equity crowdfunding, as well as traditional capital raise transactions with investors and organizations who are committed to socially responsible investing and mission-related investing.