What are the Top Legal Issues for Youth Based Non Profits?

For your clients in the non profit realm, legal claims pose a lot more of a threat than just an inconvenience. If faced with a lawsuit, non profits face legal defense fees and other costs that could financially devastate their business, especially if they have to pay out any damages. The risks they face get even trickier when kids are involved.

Some of the risks even the most general non profits face include exposure from social media misuse, copyrights and trademarks, lack of synchronicity in board policy and practice, failure to understand and manage conflicts of interest, fraud, and reputation damage among other risks. What about youth based non profits though?

For youth based non profits, such as YMCAs or Boys and Girls Clubs, common legal risks include claims of emotional abuse of a child, physical abuse, or even sexual misconduct. Emotional injury often is a result of verbal abuse, discrimination, harassment, or bullying. Even if none of this has occurred, if a parent or guardian thinks an incident such as this has occurred or has a child tell them it occurred, they could very well sue the non profit.

In addition to claims of verbal or emotional abuse, a very real and common risk is physical injury. Activities that take place in YMCAs or Boys and Girls clubs could easily lead to injury. Some of these activities could include sports, arts and crafts, cooking, or gymnastics. Physical injury could also occur from kids hurting each other, or accidents on premises.

Whether your client runs a YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, or another type of youth based non profit, it’s important that they be aware of the risks they face so that they can take the appropriate steps to mitigate their losses. At Charity First, we are committed to helping you place YMCA Insurance, Boys and Girls Club Insurance, and other coverages for your youth based non profits. Please contact us today to learn more at (800) 352-2761.