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Author: Ilona Bray

Ilona Bray is an attorney who gave up the active practice of law to edit and author books and articles for Nolo. Her working background includes both solo immigration practice and working or volunteering as an immigration attorney with nonprofit organizations in Seattle and California.
Nonprofits in Financial Distress: Coronavirus-Relief Loans Might Help

Nonprofits in Financial Distress: Coronavirus-Relief Loans Might Help

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, allocated a record $2 trillion in various forms of relief to businesses, individuals, various government agencies, and yes, nonprofit organizations. The idea is to smooth the financial disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Specifically what’s in it that can help nonprofits in financial trouble? In brief, you might be able to access loans to: Help meeting payroll, rent, mortgage, or…

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COVID-19 Turning Spring Open House Season Into Spring “Closed House” Season

COVID-19 Turning Spring Open House Season Into Spring “Closed House” Season

Although real estate agents have long questioned whether open houses really work to sell houses, they are an established, widely loved tradition. And spring is when the most sellers put their houses on the market. Why not, with flowers blooming and people enjoying being out and about? Unfortunately, we are not in normal circumstances. The coronavirus or COVID pandemic has put many regions of the U.S. on virtual lockdown, with people allowed to leave their homes only for essential or…

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Practical Information on Dealing With a COVID-19 World

Practical Information on Dealing With a COVID-19 World

By now, we’ve all had one of those post-COVID-19 moments: You’re half asleep, or thinking about something else, then open your eyes wide and think, “Uh oh, what am I going to do about . . . . ” You can fill in the blank. Maybe it’s claiming time off work, dealing with rent that’s coming due without any source of income, or looking into whether it was legal for your employer to let you go in the first place….

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Once Valentine’s Day Is Over, Couples’ Fights Over Home Buying or Selling Can Begin

Once Valentine’s Day Is Over, Couples’ Fights Over Home Buying or Selling Can Begin

Traditionally, the busy season in real estate starts around April, though it’s been moving earlier in various parts of the United States. That leaves Valentine’s Day fairly clear for couples to look into each others’ eyes and dream of nesting in some cozy new abode. Enjoy it while it lasts, because according to a recent Harris Poll, the vast majority of couples argue like crazy over the course of buying or selling a home. Okay, so the words “like crazy”…

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Disney Action Against School Shows That Small Nonprofit Fundraisers Don’t Fly Under Radar

Disney Action Against School Shows That Small Nonprofit Fundraisers Don’t Fly Under Radar

It’s no fun being the nonprofit board member or volunteer who tells others, “We can’t do that, it’s a violation of [someone’s copyright, or trademark, or other rights].” I’ve had to be that person, and the usual response is, “Oh, come on, we’re hardly making any money anyway,” or “You seriously think anyone is going to notice?” Guess what. Disney notices. It’s all described here, in “Disney fined a PTA for showing the Lion King at a fundraising event to…

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