[Tulsa/Hybrid] Nonprofit Law and Governance: Understanding Responsibilities

Jeri Holmes received her Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University in 1986 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma in 1995. After practicing for several years outside the nonprofit realm, Jeri’s volunteer work led her to the discovery that the unique nature of tax-exempt organizations called for a specialized legal advisor, but, due to the small nature of many nonprofit organizations, they could not afford to keep an attorney on staff. In 2004, Jeri founded Nonprofit Solutions Law, P.C. as an answer to this need and has remained a legal advisor to tax-exempt entities ever since. 

As a lawyer for tax-exempt organizations and government entities, Jeri helps create a foundation for future growth by ensuring legal compliance and strong governance. Her services extend beyond simply providing legal counsel to organizations. Jeri’s goal is to ensure ongoing success by taking a holistic approach to organizational health. By guiding organizations in drafting and amending bylaws and policies, helping to navigate contractual and business relationships, and assisting in acquiring or changing tax-exempt status, Jeri ensures that governing documents and operational efficiencies are strong and up to date with legal regulations and best practices. Jeri facilitates board trainings, staff trainings, and legal responsibility classes to ensure that those governing policies are understood and implemented, as well as making boards aware of their legal duties and best practices. She also aids organizations in modifying gift agreements or charitable trusts under UPMIFA.

Where significant challenges or restructuring call for more in-depth support, Jeri has served as interim CEO to provide organizations with guidance until they achieve stability. Jeri also teaches the Law and Nonprofit Organizations class for the Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership program at Oklahoma City University and is a member of the 29th Leadership Oklahoma Class. Currently, Jeri volunteers on the Board of Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation, and as a member of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits’ Education, Policy, and Advocacy Committee.

I founded Culture Connection Law because I was so saddened by watching good folks quit or suffer in important organizations due to a lack of communication and connection, often resulting in the organizations I love losing extremely valuable team members. These people were leaving in large part because they felt unsupported and undervalued by their leadership, a problem which could be mended with a few hard conversations about what is working and what is not working and what support looks like for that team and individual person. 

Culture Connection Law was founded as a remedy, seeking to teach folks when and how to have difficult conversations and how to stay connected to each other in the midst of real feedback. These tools allow teams to feel safe, secure, and prepared for the tough times. And, establishing these skills ahead of time means that, when the inevitable challenges do arise, our teams are prepared and folks are less likely to jump ship. 

I believe folks deserve to feel connected and supported by their teams. And, when folks are safe, they make better, more creative decisions for the organizations supporting our community.