While it’s not required, trademarking your nonprofit name and/or logo can protect your organization in the event that someone else purposely or accidentally uses them.
Branding your nonprofit: trademark and copyright considerations
Branding might not be the first thing on your mind when it comes to your nonprofit. However, it’s important to consider the ways that protecting and building your brand is actually in service of your organization’s overall mission. That’s why we offer support through our nonprofit trademark services. At Charitable Allies, we make the trademark and copyright process easy to access and understand.
Reasons to consider trademarking
Nonprofits trademark things like their name and logo for the same reasons for-profit businesses do: to protect their business and branding.
Legal protection
Reduces the likelihood of intellectual property conflict
Prevent other businesses from using your nonprofit's name
Brand recognition and value during fundraising
Long-term value (trademarks are for life)
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What does the nonprofit trademark process look like?
The steps to trademarking tend to follow this process:
Research to determine that no other entity has already trademarked the name or logo.
Filing the paperwork with the United State Patent and Trademark Office.
Answering questions and providing clarification to the trademark agencies.
Acceptance or denial of your application.
Why Us?
A Streamlined Process
Working with a legal professional can help make the trademarking process easier to accomplish and understand.
A Nonprofit’s Perspective
We’re a nonprofit that serves nonprofits—we understand the unique challenges facing nonprofit organizations today.
Comprehensive Legal Service
Whether you’re a start-up or a seasoned organization navigating the unexpected, our attorneys can provide the guidance you need beyond nonprofit trademarks.
Need help with the nonprofit trademark process?
Give us a call! A member of our legal team would be happy to consult with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, trademarks are for things like names and logos and copyright applies to written works like curriculum or educational material. We help our clients navigate the process for both.
Once you’ve applied for your trademark or copyright, it may take a few weeks before you get a response. In some cases it can take a couple of months, depending on how backed up the agency is.