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PODCAST

Charity Therapy

Jess Birken, MNM, JD

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 your

business non-profit

All Episodes

18:23

149: Um, Actually... | How Many Times Should a...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/10/16

If your board hasn’t met in ten months, that’s not just awkward — it’s a big problem. In this episode, Meghan and I dive into a basic (but often overlooked) part of nonprofit governance: how often a board needs to meet, and what happens when it doesn’t. Real Listener Question: “My wife joined the board of a small arts nonprofit, but they haven’t met once in ten months. The executive director sends quarterly updates by email — that’s it. Is that legal?” A board that never meets isn’t really a board —

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20:06

148: Type A Personalities Unite! | When Nonprofits...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/10/02

Think a PEO will solve all your nonprofit’s HR headaches? Not so fast — the fine print might surprise you. In this episode, I’m joined by HR consultant Jess Holst from Aligned HRC to answer a listener’s question about whether a professional employer organization (PEO) is the right solution for their growing nonprofit. Real Listener Question: “We’ve grown from four employees to nearly twelve. I’ve been handling payroll and HR myself, but it’s becoming too much. A board member suggested a PEO, but it

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22:36

147: Keep Doing You, Boo | Are Nonprofit DEI...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/09/18

Worried your nonprofit’s DEI programs might be illegal now? You’re not alone — and I can bet you won’t be able to find the right answer on social media. In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Fuciarelli from US2 Consulting to dig into what the latest EEOC guidance actually means for nonprofits trying to foster inclusion. Real Listener Question: “My nonprofit has employee resource groups (ERGs) for LGBTQ+, Latinx, Black, and AAPI staff. They’re popular, but I heard the EEOC says they might count as

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18:45

146: Groaning & Moaning | Why Record Retention & Data...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/09/04

Think your nonprofit’s old emails and files are harmless? Think again. What you keep — and what you don’t — could save or sink your organization. It’s Jess Birken here, and I’m back with my co-host Meghan tackling a topic that sounds boring but is way more important than you think: data retention policies and how they protect your nonprofit. Real Listener Question: “I work at a nonprofit that serves trans youth. If the government starts targeting nonprofits, what can we do now to prepare and protect

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22:48

143: Anonymized Juicy Gossip | What Happens If You...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/07/24

What would you do if you inherited a nonprofit… with 20 years of missing paperwork? It’s Jess Birken here, and I’m back with my co-host Meghan to dig into one of the messiest listener questions yet. A nonprofit has been operating off the radar for decades, and it's time to figure out what happens next. Real Listener Question: "I just took on the treasurer role for a family nonprofit, but nothing’s been filed since 2005. The bank account is still under the name of a deceased board member. I’m

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18:52

142: Someone Get Me a Flux Capacitor! | What Happens...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/07/10

Your nonprofit's 501(c)(3) status just got revoked – now what? Don't panic! Your organization still exists, but here's what you need to know. It's Jess Birken here, and I'm back with co-host Meghan to tackle one of the most common (and scary-sounding) nonprofit disasters: losing your tax-exempt status. Real Listener Question: "Our 501(c)(3) was revoked last year, and we have a community cleanup event coming up. Can we still do this event? Are we open to more liability?" We're breaking down the

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21:01

141: Justice for the 8 Cents! | How to Communicate...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/06/26

Nonprofits - how do YOU communicate about the dreaded “overhead” expenses? You know that pie chart everyone uses to show how much money goes directly to programs? Yeah, I want to toss it out the window. We'll talk about why those “eight cents” on the dollar that cover essential administrative expenses are not wasted but actually crucial for keeping your nonprofit running smoothly. In this episode, we’re tackling a nonprofit pro’s question about updating an employee handbook. Should you hire a pro

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22:45

138: Trump Vs. Harvard | Can the President Revoke a...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/05/15

In this episode of Charity Therapy, we’re tackling a big question from the headlines - can the President choose whether you get tax exemption? While President Trump may threaten a university like Harvard, what can he actually do? Meghan and I break down what the President can and cannot do with nonprofits AND what it would like to really lose your tax exemption. Spoiler alert - it’s not a quick process! In this episode, we’ll bust some myths and give you the lowdown on how these things really work

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27:42

137: This Is Not Mad Men | Advice for Executive...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/05/01

Welcome to this episode of Charity Therapy! I'm Jess Birken, and today we're diving into the wild world of nonprofit leadership. I've got David Rhode, a super-smart nonprofit coach and author, joining me to give all kinds of advice for nonprofit executive directors. We're tackling a juicy listener question about a micromanaging board member who's causing a bit of a headache. Trust me, we've got some great strategies to share that'll help you balance gratitude with boundary-setting. Transitioning

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16:29

136: Please Sir, Can I Have Some More? | How to...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/04/17

Welcome to another episode of Charity Therapy, this time with the incredible Patrick Kirby! Together, we’re taking the fear out of fundraising. Patrick is here to help us shake off those common fundraising myths that might be holding us back. Think donations just happen magically once you get your C3 status? Or that fundraising is too intimidating? Think again! Patrick shows us how to embrace curiosity and see fundraising as a chance to make genuine human connections and grow your network. Plus, we

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16:20

135: One Big Nugget | What Nonprofits Need to Know...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/04/03

It's Jess Birken here, and I'm thrilled to have you join me and Meghan for this episode of Charity Therapy. We're diving into the world of DEI (that's diversity, equity, and inclusion), specifically about the Trump administration’s Executive Order 14151, which is causing quite a stir. In this episode, we're tackling the fears and misconceptions head-on. We’ve got a listener question - is it still allowed to start a nonprofit that focuses on BIPOC access in the arts? Short answer? Yes! But we’ll

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15:17

134: Witchcraft Ceremonies & Monster Truck Shows |...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/03/20

On today’s episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are diving into nonprofit closures, especially when those COVID-19 EIDL loans are involved. If you’ve ever wondered what to do when your nonprofit has to shut down but you still owe Uncle Sam a bunch of cash, this episode is for you. What’s the deal with EIDL loans, and how do they affect your nonprofit when it’s time to close up shop? Meghan and I break it down, chatting about the steps you need to take and the legal stuff you might not have

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23:00

133: We’re All Pre-Fired | Hiring an Interim...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/03/06

In this episode of Charity Therapy, let’s talk nonprofit leadership transitions! I'm your host, Jess Birken, and I've teamed up with Roger Meyer from Mighty Consulting to tackle the big questions: What happens when your nonprofit's founder suddenly steps down? How do you keep the ship steady when it feels like the captain just jumped overboard? We'll chat about the crucial role of an interim executive director, who can swoop in like a superhero to keep everything from falling apart. We're also

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16:45

132: Bigger and Better | Can the Trump Administration...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/02/20

In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are answering the big question - can the Trump administration target nonprofits?. We’re getting real about the fears of funding cuts and increased scrutiny, and dive in on the looming threat of the HR 9495 bill, which could label some nonprofits as terrorist organizations. Keeping your nonprofit in good standing feels like a never-ending battle, especially with all this uncertainty swirling around. That's why we're sharing practical tips to help you

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18:21

130: Pleasantries & Pontificating | Great Nonprofit...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/01/23

Hey there, it's Jess Birken, your go-to nonprofit law buddy, here to save you from those endless board meetings that make you want to pull your hair out! In this episode of Charity Therapy, I'm chatting with my friend Maria Huntley, the executive director of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians. She's got the inside scoop on how to run nonprofit board meetings that are not only more productive but also a whole lot more fun. Say goodbye to those never-ending life stories and hello to meetings

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19:08

128: Don't Let Rich People Boss You Around | Do...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/12/26

In this episode of Charity Therapy, we’re answering the big question - what even the nonprofit industrial complex? We’re pulling back the curtain on those nonprofits that seem more focused on keeping the lights on than actually solving the problems they set out to tackle. We’re also answering a burning question from a listener thinking about flipping their for-profit mental health service into a nonprofit, all for the sake of snagging some grant money. Should they do it? Spoiler alert: it might be

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20:17

127: Waiting for the Cat | Nonprofit Audits &...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/12/12

Today, we’re diving deep into the world of nonprofit financial audits with my amazing guest, Peter Farstad. Peter is a pro when it comes to nonprofit finance, and he's here to help us unravel the sometimes scary world of audits and financial transparency. We know how daunting those big, scary financial statements can seem, especially if you're a Minnesota nonprofit pulling in over $750,000 a year. In this episode of Charity Therapy, Peter and I chat about why sharing your financial audits with

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18:14

125: True Crime Mukbangs | Understanding Scammy...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/11/14

In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are diving into the wild world where nonprofits and for-profit businesses collide. Ever wondered what happens when one person owns both a nonprofit and a business? Spoiler alert: it can get messy. We'll answer your burning questions about these murky waters, help you spot the red flags, and remind you why transparency is crucial. Plus, we'll chat about how the IRS keeps a close eye on potential scams and insider deals. We won't sugarcoat it—things can

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15:41

124: Oxford Comma Drama | The Role of a Nonprofit...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/10/31

On this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are diving headfirst into the tricky world of nonprofit boards. You're not alone if you've ever wondered why your board seems more like a roadblock than a support system. We've got a juicy listener question from someone stuck with a board that feels more like a nagging boss than a helpful partner. Can you just ditch the board entirely? Spoiler alert: it’s not that simple, but we're here to help you navigate these murky waters. Meghan and I unravel the

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13:19

122: Legal Mumbo Jumbo | How to Open a Bank Account...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/10/03

Have you ever tried to open a bank account for your 501(c)(3) and felt like you were navigating a never-ending maze? Well, you're not alone! In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are here to make that process a whole lot simpler. We’re breaking down the essential steps, from getting all your paperwork in order to avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you’re a pro or just getting your nonprofit boots on, this chat will leave you feeling ready to confidently tackle your nonprofit’s finances. We

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27 results

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