\u201cWhat we\u2019re really trying to\u00a0communicate\u00a0is that this is not a crisis and doesn\u2019t need to be treated as such,\u201d said Mike Donahue,\u00a0communications\u00a0and external affairs manager for the Florida Nonprofit Alliance. \u201cMore often than not, it\u2019s just a really good opportunity to do some housekeeping.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Donahue said nonprofit executives, boards and organizational leaders should conduct a self-audit of their governing documents to\u00a0determine\u00a0where the revised statute applies and whether changes are necessary.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The law provides default guidelines in areas where an organization\u2019s articles of incorporation or other governing documents may be silent, including matters involving boards, membership, volunteers and staff, Donahue said. Organizations\u00a0retain\u00a0flexibility to adopt or revise their own policies rather than necessarily relying on those default provisions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Florida Nonprofit Alliance has provided nonprofits with resources including a self-assessment tool and\u00a0a webinar\u00a0explaining the changes.\u00a0Donahue said organizations can compare those resources with their governing documents and consult legal counsel if they identify potential compliance issues.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
At Loaves & Fishes<\/a>, an Apopka food\u00a0pantry,\u00a0director\u00a0Lory Reeves said she learned about HB 797 before it took effect and sent information about the legislation to the organization\u2019s five-member board of directors.\u00a0<\/p>\n Reeves said she is awaiting feedback from the board about whether any changes are necessary, but her own review has not\u00a0identified\u00a0anything she expects will require changes.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s business as usual,\u201d Reeves said, adding that she does not expect operational changes at the organization.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Reeves said Loaves & Fishes already keeps its organizational practices and articles of incorporation current.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been doing our quote-unquote housekeeping every day,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n From what she has reviewed so far, Reeves said she does not expect the law to affect the\u00a0pantry\u2019s\u00a0donors or clients. She said she would have a clearer picture after hearing from the organization\u2019s board.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Donahue said the changes are expected to be felt primarily in nonprofits\u2019 administrative operations and governance rather than by the people they serve. The overhaul was designed to modernize Florida\u2019s nonprofit statute and align it more closely with the Florida Business Corporation Act and the American Bar Association\u2019s Model Nonprofit Corporation Act.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The Florida Nonprofit Alliance has received significant interest from organizations seeking information about the changes, Donahue said, but no single provision has\u00a0emerged\u00a0as a major concern. Instead, nonprofits\u00a0largely want\u00a0to make sure their governing documents\u00a0comply with\u00a0the revised law.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s overall a positive thing that ideally should not be a heavy lift or a crisis for any nonprofit organization in the state,\u201d Donahue said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The new law comes as Apopka nonprofit organizations continue to play an active role in providing community services. In July, the Apopka City Commission approved\u00a0$70,000 in grants for 14 nonprofit organizations<\/a>\u00a0that support youth, at-risk\u00a0individuals\u00a0and seniors.\u00a0<\/p>\n Teresa Sargeant has been with The Apopka Chief for over 10 years.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6.png\")
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