Client Successes

The Pro Bono Client Brings Grassroots Organization and Development to the Impoverished Region

Best Best & Krieger LLP obtained 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for pro bono client, Asosyasyon Peyzan Fondwa USA Foundation (dba APF-USA Foundation, Inc.), an advocacy group committed to helping a community of Haitians. Securing the status from the IRS is a critical step in the nonprofit’s mission to raise funds — as it can now qualify contributions as tax-free even though the money will be used to make development grants to foreign activities.

APF–USA Foundation supports the work of Father Joseph Philippe in the Fondwa Region of Haiti. Fr. Joseph’s work is a remarkable story of imagination, resilience and successful  sustainable grassroots development in Haiti. His work is the subject of a full-length documentary film scheduled for release in October. The film will be featured at the Caribbean Film Festival, which is sponsored by the American Film Institute, on June 11 at the AFI Silver Theater in Silver Spring, MD.  You can view the film trailer here.

BB&K accepted APF-USA Foundation as a pro bono client in 2014. Since then, we have reorganized them into a District of Columbia nonprofit corporation, revised their Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and organizational policies to come into strict compliance with District of Columbia and IRS requirements. We submitted their application for 501(c)(3) status for the purpose of supporting charitable works in Fondwa. 

The firm is continuing to serve as the Foundation’s general counsel and assisting with various fundraising events and planning.