Nonprofit / Charities Law
John R. Wylie
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
For more than 30 years, John Wylie has focused on advising religious nonprofit organizations, as well as other charitable, sports, healthcare and educational institutions. John not only brings technical expertise to his practice, but also has a deep understanding of nonprofit organizations and a unique sensitivity to their priorities and legal needs. His experience includes advising boards and senior management teams on legal structure, governance and personnel policies, First Amendment and other religious accommodations, joint ventures and affiliations, mergers and acquisitions, commercial activities, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, international structure, current and deferred giving matters and religious worker visas. He also has extensive experience with exempt organization tax issues, including unrelated business income tax liability, the private foundation rules, property and sales tax exemptions and the implications of becoming recognized by the IRS as a church or religious order.
Overview
- The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1983
- Albion College, BA, magna cum laude, graduated 1979
- Christian Leadership Alliance, 1989-Present - Member
- American Bar Association, Exempt Organizations Committee and Religious Organizations Subcommittee of the Taxation Section, 1990 – present - Member
- Christian Legal Society, 1983-Present; Board of Directors - Member, President, 1996-1998
- Colorado Springs Sled Hockey Association, President and Chairman of the Board, 2006 – 2012 - Member
- National Counsel - Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations, convened by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability at the request of Senator Charles Grassley, then Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, 2011-2013
- Christian Leadership Alliance, 1989-Present - Member
- American Bar Association, Exempt Organizations Committee and Religious Organizations Subcommittee of the Taxation Section, 1990 – present - Member
- Christian Legal Society, 1983-Present; Board of Directors - Member, President, 1996-1998
- Colorado Springs Sled Hockey Association, President and Chairman of the Board, 2006 – 2012 - Member
- National Counsel - Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations, convened by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability at the request of Senator Charles Grassley, then Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, 2011-2013
- The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1983
- Albion College, BA, magna cum laude, graduated 1979
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Nonprofit / Charities Law
Special Focus:
- Religion
News & Media
Additional Information
- Publications and Presentations
- John Wylie is a frequent speaker and has spoken before groups including the Christian Camp & Conference Association, Christian Leadership Alliance, Christian Legal Society, Colorado Bar Association, Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, Colorado Springs Nonprofit Center, Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, Grant Thornton National Exempt Organizations Conference, Missio Nexus (formerly known as CrossGlobal Link and Mission Exchange) and the National Business Institute.
- Co-Author, “Roles and Responsibilities of Directors and Officers,” Chapter 2A, A Guide for Colorado Nonprofit Organizations, First Ed. (Karen E. Leaffer, ed., John Valentine, co-author, CLE in Colorado, Inc., 2012)
- Co-Author, “Sta-Home Health Agency, et al. v. Commissioner: A 21st Century Odyssey,” American Health Lawyers Association Tax and Finance Practice Group, (Thomas K. Hyatt and Stephen P. Nash, co-authors, August 9, 2006)
- Co-Author, “Form Follows Function in Planning Activities with Foreign Organizations,” Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), (Stuart J. Lark, co-author, May/June 1999)
- Co-Author, “Tax Planning in the Era of the ‘Strategic Alliance’,” Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), (Stuart J. Lark, co-author, September/October 1998)
- Co-Author, “Charitable Solicitations Require Careful Compliance with State Registration Rules,” Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), (Steven B. Smith co-author, January/February 1998)
- Co-Author, “Types of Religious Organizations: Differences from a Tax Perspective,” The Colorado Lawyer, (Timothy G. Pfeifer, co-author, November 1997)
- Co-Author, “Recent Developments Require Another Look at Unemployment Taxes,” Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), (Stuart J. Lark, co-author, May/June 1997)
- Co-Author, “The Housing Allowance for ‘Nontraditional’ Ministers Depends on Direct Ministry Services,” Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), (Steve L. Gaines, co-author, January/February 1997)
- Co-Author, “Final Regulations Define Church Integrated Auxiliaries,” Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), (Timothy G. Pfeifer, co-author, May/June 1996)
- Co-Author, “Two Cases Produce Different Outcomes on Employee Status of Ministers,” Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), (G. Leland Dutcher, co-author, January/February 1996)
- Co-Author, “Distinguishing Among Churches, Religious Orders, and Other Religious Organizations,” Journal of Taxation of Exempt Organizations (now known as Taxation of Exempts), (Timothy G. Pfeifer, co-author, September/October 1995)
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