Shows / Charity Therapy
Charity Therapy
What if you could hang out with experienced nonprofit professionals and ask them your burning questions about the day-to-day life of nonprofits? What if you could take their wisdom and bring it back to your organization, for free? That's what we do on Charity Therapy. Hosted by Jess Birken - owner and lawyer at Birken Law Office. Every episode is an in-depth look at how to run a nonprofit, from fundraising to IRS woes to people problems and more! Our goal is to empower nonprofits to achieve…
Episodes
Charity Therapy116: We Don't Need to Be Cops | Financial Fraud in Nonprofits
In this episode of Charity Therapy, we're diving deep into nonprofit finances to help you safeguard your organization from fraud. We'll walk you through…
Charity Therapy115: Hell No! | Dissolving a Nonprofit Organization
What really goes into shutting down a nonprofit? In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I explore the emotional and legal rollercoaster of nonprofit…
Charity Therapy114: A Four Egg Day | Understanding Restricted Gifts for Nonprofits
Ever find yourself tangled in the mess of restricted donations and wondering how to keep everything legal and ethical? Well, you're in luck! In this episode of…
Charity Therapy113: Take a Deep Breath | Grant Writing for Small Nonprofits
If you've ever felt like a deer in headlights when someone mentions grants, I'm here for you. In fact, I've got the guru of grant-getting, the scribe of…
Charity Therapy112: Blaspheme It Up | Nonprofit Fundraising with T. Clay Buck
Today we've got an episode from the backlist featuring one of our favorite guests, T. Clay Buck from TCB Fundraising! Clay and I dive into the nerdy goodness…
Charity Therapy111: Yoink, You're Done! | Understanding IRS 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status
On this episode of Charity Therapy, we're gonna break down the often confusing world of IRS status for 501(c)(3) nonprofits. We know, taxes? Yawn, right? But…
Charity Therapy110: Don't Do It, Emmanuel! | When NOT to Start a Public Charity Nonprofit
Ever thought running a charity is all about helping people and feeling good? Strap in because Meghan and I are about to take you on a wild ride through the…
Charity Therapy109: SMART Goals & Cans of Worms
I've got a real treat for you in this episode of Charity Therapy. It's all about finding that sweet spot for your nonprofit's mission and vision without…
Charity Therapy108: Clover the B | Navigating Tax Status and Exploring IRS Forms
Today on Charity Therapy, Meghan and I dive into the sometimes tricky and often murky waters of nonprofit tax exemption and financial compliance. Think of us…
Charity Therapy107: All Aboard the Struggle Bus!
Jess is coming at you with another episode that's gonna knock your grant-seeking socks off. In this episode of Charity Therapy, Jess is hanging out with the…
Charity Therapy106: Down With the Golf Tournament
You're about to dive into a podcast episode that's gonna change the game for your nonprofit's events. On this episode of Charity Therapy, Alicia Baraga joins…
Charity Therapy105: A Rose By Any Other Name…
Have you ever thought about what your nonprofit looks like to the rest of the world? Well, buckle up because we're diving headfirst into the wild world of…
- Charity Therapy
104: To Be or Not 2B?
Today on Charity Therapy, Jess shares some real talk about the wild world of nonprofit tax forms. Yeah, we know taxes can be a snooze fest, but stick with us!…
- Charity Therapy
103: Buddy Systems & Sitcom Jingles
Today, we're diving headfirst into the exciting world of nonprofit boards of directors - and specifically, how to bring in new board members! We know - it…
- Charity Therapy
102: Jiminy Cricket Reporting for Duty
On this episode of Charity Therapy, we're digging deep into fundraising - specifically, how to do it ethically. If we're going to be asking people for their…
- Charity Therapy
101: The Tough Love Episode
We're back again with another episode and spilling the beans on a tricky, often overlooked concept - private benefit. You'll want to tune in as we break down…
- Charity Therapy
100: A Twinkie for Your Brain
On this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I dig deep into Founderitis, also known as Founder's Syndrome, in the world of nonprofits. As we answer a…
- Charity Therapy
099: Pump It Up!
On this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I break down nonprofit bylaws and everyyyyything you didn't even know you needed to know. Trust me - by the end…
- Charity Therapy
098: Politics Are Weird
In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are diving into the nitty-gritty of politics within the nonprofit world. Have you ever wondered if your…
- Charity Therapy
097: Girl Scouts & Vocabulary Lessons
In this episode of Charity Therapy, we're diving deep into the mysterious realm of nonprofit chapters and affiliates. If you've ever been perplexed by the…
- Charity Therapy
096: This Ain't the Hobbit!
In this episode, we're tackling a BIG topic in the nonprofit world - how much should you do yourself vs hiring a professional? The nonprofit sector is FULL of…
- Charity Therapy
095: Meeting Skeletons
Hey there, nonprofit party people! In this episode of Charity Therapy, we're back again, diving headfirst into a topic that sounds about as thrilling as…
- Charity Therapy
094: The Anxiety Conga Line
In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I bravely step into the IRS maze. Don't worry - we've got a flashlight and a sense of humor to guide us through!…
- Charity Therapy
093: Buses and Boats and RVs, Oh My!
Hi there, fellow nonprofit champions! In this episode of Charity Therapy, we're diving deep into the tangled world of strategic planning and how to lead a…
- Charity Therapy
092: Red Flags & Lemonade Stands
Hey there! Welcome back to another exciting episode of Charity Therapy! We're diving into the complexities of moving a nonprofit organization this time. Yes…
- Charity Therapy
Welcome to Charity Therapy!
What if you could hang out with experienced nonprofit professionals and ask them your burning questions about the day-to-day life of nonprofits? What if you…
- Charity Therapy
091: My Life the Musical
Hey there! We are back again, and this time we're delving into the nitty-gritty of growing a small team in the nonprofit sector. We've been through the ups and…
- Charity Therapy
090: The Wisdom of a 14-Year-Old
It's me again--ready to challenge what you think you know about the nonprofit sector. In this episode, I invite my guest - my 14-year-old - Max, to take a deep…
- Charity Therapy
089: Midwestern Shame Spirals
In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I dive into the often-misunderstood world of conflicts of interest in nonprofits. What is a conflict, really? Is…
- Charity Therapy
Hitting the Hail on the Ned
When you think about nonprofits, lots of different things come to mind - missions and visions, fundraising, hard-working staff, and strong communities. But do…
- Charity Therapy
Money, Money, Money
In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I tackle another fundraising question - this time about dealing with difficult donors. This episode is a prime…
Charity TherapyDon't Sue Each Other!
Everyone wants to be an insider, right?! Well for nonprofits, that "insider" label can make things a little more complicated. Conflicts of interest have…
Charity TherapyOne Giant Blooper
Join us in the restricted section for the episode – the restricted gifts section, that is! Today, Jess and Meghan break down what a restricted gift is and what…
Charity TherapyFighting to the Death for Some PTO
Organizational culture is what gets created when we're busy doing EVERYTHING else. So, what do your fundraising practices say about your culture? We pulled…
Charity TherapyMagic Wands & Shiny New Toys
Talking about fundraising can be overwhelming and FULL of jargon – but not when Patrick Kirby does it! Today we're joined by Patrick of Do Good Better…
Charity TherapyLet's Keep This Private
The nonprofit world throws out that "501(c)(3)" moniker left and right – but what does that really mean? The IRS doesn't always communicate in ways the average…
Charity TherapyFollow the Money
Just because your organization is striving to do good, thatdoesn'tmean you're exempt from having todeal with trolls and scammers. There's no scam exemption…
Charity TherapyIt's Like an Onion
Executive committees – what should they really do anyway? Spoiler alert – not as much as you think! Some nonprofit boards have a nasty habit of relying on an…
Charity TherapyTLDR: Y'all Need Protection!
You can't (and shouldn't!) envision every bad thing that might happen at a nonprofit. Nobody's got time for that! But you do need to be prepared and protected…
Charity TherapyPeriods of Baldness
There's this phrase "no man is an island." Well, guess what – no nonprofit is an island, either. In this episode, we're talking about the different ways people…
Charity TherapyMaking Ch-ch-ch-changes!
No one gets into nonprofit work because they LOVE all the paperwork, but that doesn't mean you're exempt from doing it (sorry!). There are some core documents…
Charity TherapySize Matters
Nonprofits need to have a board - but how is that board supposed to make decisions? Today, we're getting into your board questions, all about redonk quorums…
Charity TherapyTwo Thumbs Down
Tis the season for… Giving Tuesday! The Tuesday after Thanksgiving, every nonprofit you've ever thought about will be contacting you about giving to their…
Charity TherapyOnto the Next Chapter!
We've got a vocab lesson for you today – what's the difference between a nonprofit chapter and a nonprofit affiliate? I don't blame you if you don't know -…
Charity TherapyGhouls and Goblins Unite!
Hang tight – we're going alllll the way back to our very first episode for this special Halloween celebration! Jordan Couch, lawyer from Tacoma and friend of…
Charity TherapyJoin Me on my Soapbox
We're reviving a fan favorite for this episode, so roll up your sleeves and dust off that old book of parliamentary procedures. Do nonprofits legally need to…
Charity TherapyIt's a Burner-Outer
When you think about fundraising, lots of us think about DOLLARS. It's all about raising that revenue, dollar by dollar, right? But what if we changed the way…
Charity TherapyHere Comes the Drama Sh#tstorm
No matter what kind of nonprofit you run, it all depends on the people. Board, staff, volunteers, program participants, partners – it's humans involved that…
Charity TherapySurvey Says…
There are several different topics in the nonprofit sector that can reliably kick up some drama, and today we're talking about a big one – executive…
Charity TherapyLet's Get Existential
Shutting down a nonprofit organization is a whole messy process – from the legal requirements to the emotional impact, there's a lot to consider. Meghan and I…
Charity TherapyScreaming into the Void
Social media for nonprofits – is it a huge opportunity, or just another task to add to your growing to-do list? I invited nonprofit social media consultant…
Charity TherapyWelcome to Survivor Island
If your nonprofit has voting members, that means your members have REAL LEGAL standing and rights. So, what happens when things go sideways with a voting…
Charity TherapyThere Definitely Won't Be Bears
Fundraising – every nonprofit needs to do it, but not everyone knows how to do it. That's why Simon Scriver from Fundraising Everywhere and Everywhere+ joined…
Charity TherapyPerpetual Burnout Machine
Lots of people assume that because nonprofits do good work, they must be a GREAT place to work. But here's the thing – the nonprofit sector is far from…
Charity TherapyThe Dark Side of Donations
We're all focused on the goals and dollars when it comes to fundraising, but what about the paperwork? That's why I invited Warren Harmon from URS Compliance…
Charity TherapyErnest Goes to the IRS!
Let's be real - the IRS basically has its own language. I mean, even attorneys and CPAs find it confusing! Eve Borenstein, my hero and Queen of the 990, joins…
Charity TherapyApril Showers bring May 990s
It's April and we're in the thick of another 990 season – meaning the IRS wants to know how you're spending your funds! We're reviving this episode to answer…
Charity TherapyEating Your Own Dog Food & Other Idioms
I think most of us can agree (hopefully) that communication solves most problems. Right? Whether you're a new or a seasoned Executive Director, communication…
Charity TherapyThe Road to Fundraising Hell
Employee fundraising can be great, but boy oh boy, it can also go VERY wrong. My Twitter buddy Clay Buck from TCB Fundraising joins me on this episode to…
Charity TherapyIt's an Ephraim-A-Thon!
Anyone who has been a part of fundraising for Nonprofits knows it's all about building relationships – not just the all-mighty dollar. That's why I invited…