NC LEAP › Business Owners
Business Owners
If you are a low-wealth business owner, a for-profit
business expanding operations into an economically distressed
community, or an established non-profit serving an economically
distressed community, NC LEAP may be able to provide assistance
with your business legal needs.
Small Business Owners:
Apply
Online
Download Application
Am I a potential NC LEAP Client?
NC LEAP clients are:
- Low-income individuals who want to start or grow a for-profit
business;
- For-profit businesses expanding operations into economically
distressed neighborhoods and communities; and
- Established non-profit organizations serving economically
distressed communities.
Low-income is defined as earning less than 80% of the median
income relative to your location and family size. Click here for
an income-eligibility chart.
NC LEAP will review all applications, but for a client to be
accepted into the program they need to:
- Have a business plan;
- Possess a projection for profitability or the ability to break
even within two (2) years;
- Have worked with or completed a business development program,
or have a minimum of one year's experience running a business;
- Not be pursuing the business as a hobby under IRS
definitions;
- Either be low-income or have a for-profit business that exists
in, or will assist in developing, an economically distressed
neighborhood or community; and
- Have a potential impact on the community by providing jobs,
economic activity or other contributions to the community in which
the business is located.
- Applicants seeking help with patent filings should have
completed a marketability study and should submit proof of
financial resources sufficient to undertake the patent prosecution
process.
- If operating a non-profit organization, the organization must
be already established, hold current 501(c) status with the IRS, be
current with all required tax filings, and be seeking assistance
with a business law-related problem. Please note, any
non-profit applying for assistance will be given a high level of
scrutiny, and help may not be available dependent on other
for-profit business demands on volunteers' time.
In considering your application, NC LEAP also looks at:
- Business & personal access to credit and capital;
- Business & family adjusted gross income;
- Family size; and
- Business and personal assets.
What is the process for becoming an NC LEAP
Client?
- Complete an NC LEAP application and send it to us with all
attachments. Applications will not be considered until you
have submitted your business plan and a current tax filing for
income verification.
- We will screen you for income eligibility and to determine if
your legal issue is one we can handle.
- If you are eligible we will refer your case to an attorney with
the time and expertise to handle your case. That attorney
must then conduct a check to make sure there is no conflict of
interest in his/her handling your matter.
- This process may take a few weeks so please be patient. Once
everything is clear, you will receive a letter from NC LEAP with
your attorney's name and phone number.
- Call your attorney within seven(7) days of receipt of our
letter.
- Remember, while legal fees are pro bono, clients are still
expected to pay out of pocket expenses related to their matter
(i.e. filing or application fees).
Click here for
current eligibility guidelines
Where can I go if I'm not eligible for NC LEAP
services?
Duke University Law School
Community Enterprise Clinic
University of North Carolina School of Law
Community
Development Law Clinic
North Carolina Lawyer Referral Service
NC Find-a-Lawyer
online
Local/out of state: (919) 677-8574
In state: 1-800-662-7660