Core Services
Helping Nonprofits Build, Grow, and Lead with Clarity
Whether you’re forming a new organization, navigating compliance, or building sustainable partnerships, your mission deserves a solid legal foundation.
I combine legal counsel with real-world nonprofit leadership experience to help you structure your organization, manage risk, and move forward with confidence
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1. Nonprofit Formation & Structure
Lay the groundwork for long-term impact.
-Entity selection and incorporation
-501(c)(3) and tax-exempt status applications
-Mission, vision, and strategic alignment
-Bylaws and governance framework
-Policies for board operations and conflict management
2. Governance & Compliance
Good governance protects your mission and builds public trust.
-Board compliance and fiduciary training
-Annual filing and recordkeeping requirements
-Ethics, conflicts, and whistleblower policies
-Review of charitable solicitations and fundraising practices
-Ongoing legal support for organizational leadership
3. Partnerships, Grants & Agreements
Turn opportunities into well-structured collaborations.
-Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and partnership agreements
-Grant and cooperative agreement review
-Subaward, fiscal sponsorship, and vendor contracts
-Risk and compliance analysis for multi-party projects
-Legal guidance for federal and state-funded programs
4. Strategic Advising & Change Management
Guidance when your organization is growing, restructuring, or refining its mission.
-Leadership transitions and interim executive support
-Strategic planning and organizational alignment
-Legal structure review for evolving programs
-Conflict resolution and risk mitigation strategies
5. Federal Interface & Administrative Law
Support for nonprofits, contractors, and advocacy groups working with federal agencies.
-Federal grant compliance and reporting
-Public lands, permitting, and cooperative agreements (DOI, USDA, NPS, BLM, BOR, etc.)
-FOIA and administrative appeal guidance
-Advising on agency communications and policy engagement
Working Together
Every client relationship begins with a conversation about goals, structure, and outcomes.
You can work with me through flat-fee projects or subscription-based plans designed for predictable, ongoing legal access.
Overview of Subscription Plans
We provide limited-scope legal and strategic services through a monthly subscription model—an accessible way to receive consistent, practical guidance without the unpredictability of hourly billing or large retainers. This “unbundled” approach allows clients to get help when they need it, for what they need, while maintaining flexibility and control over costs.
How the Subscriptions Work (plain-English terms)
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Limited-scope services. Subscriptions provide ongoing consulting and limited legal guidance for federal matters; they do not include full legal representation unless separately agreed.
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Reasonable use. “Unlimited” access means responsive, practical help within a reasonable volume so all subscribers receive timely support.
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Billing & cancellation. Billed monthly and auto-renews until canceled. Fees are earned upon receipt (securing access/availability). Upon termination of the attorney-client relationship, any unearned portion of advance legal fees (if any) may be refunded.
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Conflicts & confidentiality. All new matters are conflict-checked. Communications are protected consistent with professional rules; client documents are handled via secure systems.
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Scope & jurisdiction. Licensed in Missouri. Legal Services are limited to federal law/federal forums where authorized. No services are offered under any state’s law, except when incidental to a federal issue or where otherwise permitted. Consulting Services are not limited by state.
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No guarantees. We provide guidance and strategy; no specific outcome is promised.
Subscription Plans for Mission-Driven Organizations
Built for predictability, access, and steady momentum. Each plan blends ongoing consulting with limited-scope legal guidance for federal matters, delivered virtually and on a monthly subscription.
The Foundation Plan — $175/month
For emerging nonprofits and small community organizations.Stability first. We help you set structure, clarify responsibilities, and put practical processes in place so your mission can grow on solid ground.
What’s included:
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1–2 scheduled consultations per month (email/video/phone/client portal)
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Light document review (up to 10 pages/month) for bylaws, policies, simple agreements
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Formation & 501(c)(3) roadmap and checklists (filing support available as a flat-fee add-on)
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Annual compliance checklist and reminders
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Priority messaging via the client portal
Ideal for: start-ups, grassroots groups, and early-stage charities that need clarity, confidence, and steady guidance without large retainers.
The Growth Plan — $500/month
For developing nonprofits ready to strengthen and expand. As programs mature, so do decisions and risks. This plan combines consistent consulting with limited document work to solve issues, tune governance, and support responsible growth.
What’s included:
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Everything in the Foundation Plan
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Quarterly strategy sessions with leadership/board
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Draft/review of MOUs, vendor/grant agreements, and key policies (reasonable volume)
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Risk spotting and process improvements (finance, conflicts, records, roles)
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Priority scheduling for time-sensitive questions
Ideal for: organizations building capacity, resolving recurring issues, and aligning structure with strategy.
The Renewal Plan — $1,000/month
For established organizations navigating change or complexity. Executive-level partnership for realignment and efficiency: sharpen mission, update structure, and reduce friction across leadership, programs, and partnerships.
What’s included:
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Everything in the Growth Plan
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Standing monthly retainer access for scheduled consultations
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Board/executive meeting participation when useful
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Governance and compliance tune-ups (recurring)
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Federal interface support (grants, cooperative agreements, DOI/USDA/NPS/BLM/BOR context)
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Custom templates/playbooks for recurring agreements and policies
Ideal for: mature nonprofits and coalitions facing leadership transitions, restructuring, or multi-party initiatives.
What’s Not Included (all tiers)
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Full litigation, court or agency appearances, administrative hearings, or formal representation (available only under a separate engagement)
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Preparation of complex applications/appeals/briefs or high-volume drafting beyond the plan’s scope
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State-law matters (except when incidental to a federal issue or otherwise permitted)
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Travel or third-party costs
If needs exceed your plan, we’ll either propose a separate flat-fee/limited-scope engagement or refer you to outside counsel.
Flat Fee, Hourly Fee, & Contingency Fee Services
The Law Office of D.C. Burnette offers flat-fee, contingency fee, and hourly legal services for subscribers at rates approximately 25% below the average charged by comparable federal practice law firms. These discounts are available exclusively to clients with an active subscription through one of our Subscription Plans. Other clients will pay the standard rate. This model reflects our commitment to making high-quality legal guidance more accessible for individuals, employees, and small organizations navigating government systems.
Hourly Fee Services
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Standard Legal Advising & Strategy: Included in all Subscriptions. (Non-Subscriber Rate: $300/hour)
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Non-legal Consulting and Advising: Included in all Subscriptions. (Non-Subscriber Rate: $250/hour)
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Federal Appeals & Complex Matters: Included in all Subscriptions. (Non-Subscriber Rate: $400/hour)
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All other services will be done on a flat fee or contingency fee model.
Contingency Fee Services
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In rare cases, or if a matter requires it under federal law, a contingency fee agreement may be appropriate.
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A contingency fee is a payment structure where a lawyer's fee is only paid if the case is won, and it's a percentage of the total recovery.
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In Cases where a contingency fee is appropriate, as a subscriber, this fee will be limited to 20% of the overall award, subject to any federally imposed cap, instead of the industry standard of 25-30%. Non-subscribers will be subject to the higher industry standard pricing.
Flat Fee Services
This menu outlines scope-limited legal services available for a flat fee. This list is not inclusive.
Simple, predictable pricing for scope‑limited projects. These add‑ons complement your monthly plan and keep special projects moving without surprises. Add‑ons are available only to active subscribers. Some items may already be included in your plan’s reasonable‑use features (noted below).
Core Add‑Ons
Formation & IRS Recognition (501(c)(3)) — $750
Entity formation documents, EIN support, and Form 1023/1023‑EZ preparation with a filing roadmap and checklist. (Included in Renewal plan strategy; discounted for Growth.)
Bylaws & Core Policies Refresh — $500
Modernize bylaws and adopt essential policies (conflicts, whistleblower, records, fiscal controls) aligned to your structure and mission. (Often included in Growth/Renewal tune‑ups.)
Single MOU / Agreement Draft or Review — $250–$400
One standard Memorandum of Understanding, vendor agreement, or services contract (scope‑appropriate). (Reasonable volume included in Growth/Renewal.)
Grant or Cooperative Agreement Review — $400
Eligibility, compliance, and key‑terms review; risk spotting and recommendations before you sign or submit. (Growth/Renewal priority.)
Policy / Rulemaking Comment Letter — $750
Issue analysis and targeted public comment to advance your mission. (Light support often included in Growth/Renewal.)
FOIA Request + One Administrative Appeal — $750
Drafting, submission guidance, and one administrative appeal if denied. (Strategic planning around FOIA is included in Growth/Renewal.)
Public‑Lands Permit Support (CUA/SUP, standard) — $500
Scope‑limited assistance for nonprofit programs intersecting with federal lands (NPS/USDA/DOI context). (Eligibility strategy may be included in Growth/Renewal.)
Custom Templates Packet — $400
Reusable, attorney‑reviewed templates (e.g., MOU, volunteer agreement, gift acceptance policy) tailored to your operations. (Often built during Renewal engagements.)
Pricing reflects typical scope. Complex or high‑volume matters may be quoted separately in advance.
What’s Included vs. Your Plan
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Foundation Plan subscribers can add project work as needed using the menu above.
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Growth Plan subscribers receive periodic strategy sessions and limited agreement/policy work; add‑ons cover larger projects.
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Renewal Plan subscribers receive executive‑level support; several items above may be partially or fully covered through recurring engagements.
Important: For matters not listed above, additional flat fees may be proposed depending on scope and complexity. The firm is committed to working with clients to establish reasonable, predictable rates for eligible services.
All services are governed by a engagement or subscription agreement that clearly defines the scope of the attorney-client relationship. Any additional work beyond the scope of a subscription plan requires a separate written engagement agreement and may incur additional fees and/or allow a contingency fee agreement.
While we offer strategic consulting support through the Law Office of D.C. Burnette, PLLC, not all services constitute legal advice. Clients will be clearly informed when services fall outside the scope of an attorney–client relationship.
Attorney Licensing & Scope of Services Disclosure
The Law Office of D.C. Burnette is a virtual law firm owned and operated by Donald Christopher Burnette, a licensed attorney in the State of Missouri. While the firm is registered as a professional limited liability company (PLLC) in Tennessee, Mr. Burnette does not provide legal advice or representation under Tennessee law and does not hold himself out as a Tennessee-licensed attorney.
The firm may provide general legal information—including publicly available resources, overviews of legal processes, and explanations of federal agency procedures—to individuals in any location. However, any legal advice, document review, or formal representation is limited to:
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Federal law
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Representation before federal courts and administrative agencies
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Legal matters governed by Missouri law, in line with Mr. Burnette’s active licensure
Other Disclaimers and Disclosures
Use of the Terms “Legal Consultant” or “General Legal Advising”
The term “legal consultant” or “general legal advising” refers only to services permitted under applicable rules of professional conduct and does not imply legal authority in any jurisdiction where the attorney is not licensed.
Subscription Services
Legal subscription plans offered by the Firm are limited to the services specifically listed in the subscription agreement. Subscriptions may include both legal services (limited to federal and Missouri law) and consulting services. If state-law services outside the Firm’s authorized jurisdictions are required, the client will either (a) be referred to an attorney licensed in that state under a separate agreement, or (b) be represented jointly under a co-counsel arrangement with client consent.
Collaboration with Other Attorneys
The Law Office of D.C. Burnette, PLLC may associate with or refer matters to other attorneys licensed in jurisdictions where the Firm is not authorized to practice. Any such arrangement will be fully disclosed to the client, and legal services in those jurisdictions will be performed solely by attorneys admitted there. If fee sharing occurs, it will be in proportion to the work performed or responsibility assumed, and it will comply with Rule 1.5(e) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Clients will provide written consent in advance to any such co-counsel or referral arrangement.
Consulting Services
In addition to legal services, the Firm may provide nonprofit consulting services, including governance, strategic planning, compliance training, or board development. Some consulting services may be performed by outside consultants engaged by the Firm. These consulting services are non-legal in nature, do not establish an attorney–client relationship with the consultant, and are distinct from legal advice. Clients will be clearly informed when services provided are non-legal consulting services.
No Guarantee of Outcome – Contingency Fee Representation
Some federal cases may be eligible for contingency fee representation, including whistleblower claims, certain tort actions, and administrative appeals. All contingency arrangements are subject to applicable federal laws, fee caps, and court approval.
No Guarantee of Services Beyond Licensed Jurisdictions
The Firm cannot and does not provide legal advice or representation on the laws of any state where the attorney is not licensed. Where necessary, the Firm will coordinate with attorneys or consultants licensed or qualified in those jurisdictions, but all state-specific legal advice will come from attorneys admitted in those states.
Transparency & Client Consent
All collaborative arrangements, whether with other attorneys or outside consultants, will be clearly explained to the client. The scope of services, responsibilities of each professional, and any division of fees will be disclosed in writing, and the client’s informed consent will be obtained before proceeding.
Important Notices
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The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
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Neither the Supreme Court of Missouri nor The Missouri Bar reviews or approves certifying organizations or specialist designations.
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Tennessee law requires that we inform you that this is an advertisement.
All legal services are provided by a Missouri-licensed attorney. Representation is limited to federal legal matters and clients in jurisdictions where the attorney is authorized to practice. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Use of this website or submission of information does not create an attorney–client relationship. No attorney–client relationship is formed unless and until explicitly agreed to in writing after a conflict check is completed.