In 1986, at the request of then Dean Norman Redlich, Professor Harvey Dale, an expert in international tax law, began examining the viability of creating a program that studied the legal issues affecting nonprofit organizations. Two years of thorough research later, Professor Dale determined that such a program was indeed viable and redirected his professional efforts to establish the Program on Philanthropy and the Law at the New York University School of Law. The Program is now known as The National Center on Philanthropy and the Law.

Today, the National Center on Philanthropy and the Law explores a broad range of legal issues affecting the nation’s nonprofit sector and serves as an academic forum for an integrated examination of the legal doctrines related to the activities of charitable organizations. The Center boasts a library with the most comprehensive collection of resources ever assembled on the subject of nonprofit law. Its annual publication of student articles written on critical issues affecting nonprofit organizations is well-respected throughout the field.

After teaching international and corporate and tax law for almost two decades, Dale is now a recognized expert and leader in the field of nonprofit law, both in this country and abroad. He has advised groups in Australia, China, Mexico, Russia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa regarding legal issues affecting nonprofit organizations and the formulation of laws governing these organizations. He has also published several articles concerning, among other subjects, the rationales for tax exemption, international grantmaking, and issues surrounding unrelated business income tax.

In addition to his work as the Director of the National Center for Philanthropy and the Law, Professor Dale has served as an advisor and consultant for the Internal Revenue Service, the Exempt Organizations Tax Review, Independent Sector, and several other nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Professor Dale is Founding President of The Atlantic Philanthropies and was for approximately 20 years (until September 1, 2001), the President and CEO of the Atlantic Foundation. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and from 1996 to 2005 was a member of the Cornell University Trustees Investment Committee.