NDLS Collaboration Strengthens Non-Profit
In 2007, with a newly minted political science degree from the University of Notre Dame in his hand, Will McAuliffe set out to form the Indiana Coalition Acting to Suspend Executions (InCASE). Along the way, he has relied on the knowledge and guidance of members of the Notre Dame Law School community to build his organization.
“One of the things I learned very quickly is the more help you request from members of the Notre Dame community, the more you get,” says McAuliffe.
Associate Professor of Law Lloyd Mayer navigated the complexities of the IRS to obtain 501 ( c ) 3 status for InCASE, making phone calls to the agent in charge of the application and writing a thorough response to the IRS agent’s questions and concerns. “I first applied for not-for-profit status in April 2008, but made no headway and, in fact, the IRS initially suggested it might deny the application,” says McAuliffe. “Once Professor Mayer got involved, it moved forward quickly. He was able to clear up misunderstandings and get the IRS to realize that we are not primarily a lobbying organization, as the IRS had mistakenly first thought. With that point clarified, the IRS approved the application almost immediately.”
Professor of Law Richard Garnett explained the nuances of the constitutional issues and arguments surrounding the death penalty to McAuliffe, and “helped me understand where the issue fits in the bigger scheme of law and justice in our world,” McAuliffe says. “Because of these two professors, the organization is stronger and I am a more effective advocate.”
Despite their many professional, personal, and community obligations, both Garnett and Mayer regularly take on projects outside of their regular teaching and scholarship responsibilities. “When an opportunity to get involved presents itself, it’s hard to say no,” says Garnett, who serves on the InCASE Board of Directors. “The conversation about whether Indiana should have the death penalty is one worth having, and seeking a moratorium—during which time we could have that conversation and examine all of the issues—is a good first step.”
Says McAuliffe, “Notre Dame asks a lot of its graduates; they want you to take on the world, but you’re not on your own. The community is with you forever. They back you up.”
For more on Professor of Law Richard Garnett, visit:
http://law.nd.edu/people/faculty-and-administration/teaching-and-research-faculty/richard-w-garnett
Click here for more on Associate Professor of Law Lloyd Mayer:
http://law.nd.edu/people/faculty-and-administration/teaching-and-research-faculty/lloyd-hitoshi-mayer
To learn more about InCASE, visit www.indianacase.org.
