PilchConnect

About

 PilchConnect is a legal service set up by PILCH (a specialist community legal centre) to provide legal help to Victorian, not-for-profit community organisations. We have a range of legal services, including our legal information webportal, a low-cost legal seminar series for not-for-profits and are able to refer eligible organisations for pro bono (free) legal assistance. We also do law reform and advocacy work.

Not-for-profit community organisations play a vital role in Victoria's community. Many community organisations are set up to help disadvantaged Victorians or provide other services that are in the public interest; other organisations bring people in the community together to pursue a common interest or cause. The not-for-profit sector also makes a significant contribution to Victoria's economy.

PilchConnect is itself a not-for-profit community organisation! We understand that many community organisations rely heavily on volunteers, have limited resources, and want to focus their time and energy on the main objects or mission of the organisation. Many do not have the time or resources to research and work through the unique and sometimes complex legal issues that affect the not-for-profit sector. Even fewer have the resources to pay for legal advice.

The establishment of the PilchConnect webportal has been generously funded by the Victorian Law Foundation. PilchConnect is funded with assistance from the William Buckland Foundation, National Australia Bank, and the Legal Services Board of Victoria.

PilchConnect would not be able to assist not-for-profit community organisations without the pro bono (free) assistance we receive from PILCH members (private law firms, corporate legal departments, the Law Institute of Victoria, the Victorian Bar, universities, the community legal sector, other community organisations, and individuals).

PilchConnect also works in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies at the Queensland University of Technology.