Overview

Saskia de Boer advises tax-exempt organizations and businesses regarding the federal and state rules that regulate the charitable sector. As the former managing director and senior program counsel for a multibillion-dollar national private operating foundation, Saskia has a particular appreciation for the complex regulatory environment and business challenges faced by nonprofits. Saskia counsels management and boards of public charities, private foundations, advocacy organizations, trade associations, and business corporations on a wide range of compliance matters and strategic issues. She has substantial experience with governance, complex collaborations, public-private partnerships, advocacy, and political activities. Combining her passion for community with her management background and legal expertise, Saskia provides her clients with incomparable strategic vision to manage risk while maximizing charitable intent and impact.

Education

Stanford Law School, J.D., 2003

Stanford Graduate School of Business, Executive Leadership Development Program, 2016

Vassar College, A.B., with honors, 1997; Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

Oregon

Washington

Languages

  • French

Experience

Saskia provides proactive counsel to help mission-driven organizations achieve their vision and successfully navigate and operate among federal and state requirements and restrictions. Her experience includes:

  • Advises boards on governance and fiduciary responsibilities of directors and officers
  • Structure multi-party collaborations among nonprofits with the same tax-exempt status or different tax-exempt statuses, and between nonprofits and for-profit entities; forms public-private partnerships
  • Develops full suite of governance documents and operations policies and procedures
  • Creates federal and state advocacy frameworks; advises on lobbying, political activities, ballot measures and election-year activities
  • Provides counsel on all key stages in life cycle of organizations: forms nonprofit corporations and obtains tax-exempt status; creates fiscal sponsorships and affiliated organizations; prepares merger and dissolution materials
  • Develops and negotiates collaboration agreements with all 50 states and with sovereign American Indian nations and Alaska Native corporations and communities
  • Conducts preemptive legal audits to identify areas of noncompliance and risk
  • Represents organizations in IRS and state Attorney General audits
  • Provides counsel to businesses to create corporate giving programs and foundations that fulfill their goals of charitable intent, community involvement and effective marketing
  • Counsels donors and recipients regarding grant-making, fundraising, and charitable solicitation registration
  • Advises on risk management for organizations that provide services, conduct research, and collect and share de-identified and identifiable data
  • Works with boards of tax-exempt organizations to develop strategic plan, define mission and establish benchmarks

Insights

Insights & Presentations

Saskia has given several presentations on subjects related to tax-exempt organizations. She is a frequent presenter on hot topics related to the unique issues faced by nonprofits.

Special Reports

Recognition

  • Named by Best Lawyers® as Nonprofit / Charities Law “Lawyer of the Year,” Portland, 2023
  • Included in The Best Lawyers in America® (Nonprofit / Charities Law), 2022–2024
  • Listed among Rising Stars (Nonprofit Law), Oregon Super Lawyers®, 2008–2009
  • Recipient of “Light a Fire Award” for Extraordinary Board Member from Portland Monthly magazine

Affiliations

Civic

  • Portland Metro Chamber, Board Member
  • Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust, Co-Trustee
  • James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation, Board Member
  • Armory Theater Fund, Board Member
  • Planned Parenthood Columbia/Willamette, Former Board Chair and Member of Board of Directors
  • Portland Center Stage, Past Board Member
  • Council on Foundations Public Policy Committee, Past Member
  • Creative Advocacy Network, Past Member of Board of Directors
  • Hillsboro Library Foundation Board of Directors, Former Member
  • Pro bono adviser for myriad nonprofit organizations

Industries

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