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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

17:48

145: Astronauts vs. Scuba Divers | Can You Convert a...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/08/21

If your business is struggling, can you save it by turning it into a nonprofit? Short answer: probably not. It’s Jess Birken here, and I’m back with my co-host Meghan tackling a super common question from business owners who think running a nonprofit might be an easier path. Real Listener Question: "I'm an instructor at a small figure skating school. It's been around for 30 years, but we're not making ends meet. The current owner doesn’t want to run it anymore. Can we convert it into a nonprofit so

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15:52

144: Pretending It's 1995 | Breaking Down the IRS...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/08/07

Have you heard? The IRS just gave churches the green light to endorse political candidates. It’s Jess Birken here, and I’m back with my co-host Meghan to dig into a recent IRS policy change that could shake up the nonprofit and political landscape. Real Listener Question: Not a listener question this time — Meghan brought the heat herself: “Did the IRS really just say churches can endorse political candidates from the pulpit? What does that mean for everyone else?” This episode covers some breaking

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17:48

140: Serenity Now | Can the President Seize a...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/06/12

On this episode of Charity Therapy, we’re answering the big question on a LOT of nonprofit leaders’ minds - what can the president really do to a nonprofit? We’re getting to the answer, but first - remember to take a deep breath and take care of yourself before taking any action for your nonprofit! There’s a lot of fear and uncertainty about what kind of measures the Trump administration could take against nonprofit. It’s easy to get lost in the conspiracy theories and “creative” ways to protect

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15:54

139: Counting On Our Fingers | Understanding The Long...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/05/29

Welcome to another episode of Charity Therapy, where we tackle the chaos we're all experiencing at the IRS. In this episode, we're diving into the bewildering world of nonprofit tax exemptions. Imagine the IRS as a maze, and we're here to help you navigate it without losing your mind. We'll unpack why things are moving slower than molasses, from the recent leadership shuffle to the current eight-month wait for tax exemption applications. Dealing with the IRS isn't anyone's idea of a good time, but

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19:38

131: Everything Turned Out Fine? | Major Funding...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/02/06

Hey there, it's Jess, and I'm so glad you're tuning in to this episode of Charity Therapy. We're diving into the choppy waters of nonprofit funding, especially with all the political changes shaking things up. Meghan and I are here to help you navigate these uncertain times. We'll talk about the crucial role federal funding plays in supporting nonprofits, particularly those focused on important causes like racial justice and reproductive rights. Plus, we'll chat about how economic factors like

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13:44

129: Varying Degrees of F’d Up | Giving Up Your IRS...

Charity Therapy ·

2025/01/09

On today’s episode of Charity Therapy, we’re diving right in with a big question - what REALLY makes a nonprofit a nonprofit? (Spoiler alert - it’s more than just the IRS status!) If you ever wondered if a nonprofit should really just be a regular for-profit business, we’ve got some juicy ideas (and a reality check) for you. We’ll share a listener's story about a farmer’s market that lost its nonprofit status and wants to switch gears to become a for-profit. It’s not as simple as it sounds! We’re

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21:04

126: Unicorns and Rainbows and Care Bears | Giving...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/11/28

Hey there, nonprofit enthusiasts! In this episode of Charity Therapy, Jess is joined by her good friend and nonprofit fundraising guru, Ephraim Gopin, to chat about the highs and lows of Giving Tuesday and year-end fundraising. Spoiler alert: Ephraim isn’t the biggest fan of Giving Tuesday. We dive into listener questions, including one from someone whose Giving Tuesday campaign didn't quite hit the mark. We discuss setting realistic goals and understanding donor moods—especially during the chaos of

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15:32

123: Take Off Those Donor Goggles | What to Do When...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/10/17

In this episode of Charity Therapy, my co-host Meghan and I are answering one of the top questions we get - what happens while an org’s nonprofit tax exempt status is pending? We know that the IRS application process for 501(c)(3) status can feel like climbing a mountain in flip-flops, so we're here to break it down for you. We'll chat about the differences between the 1023-EZ form and the full 1023, and give you the lowdown on processing times and eligibility requirements. Plus, we'll answer a

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13:36

121: You’re not a (Dill Pickle) Lemonade Stand |...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/09/19

In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are taking you on a wild ride from the wacky world of the Minnesota State Fair to the serious yet often misunderstood role of a nonprofit founder. We dive into the heart of the matter: what does it really means to start a nonprofit? Spoiler alert: unlike for-profits, it probably doesn’t mean any cash in your pocket. Intrigued? Stick around to find out why this is so crucial for keeping charities honest and effective. We tackle a listener's query about

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12:44

119: How Do You Say Shower?! | Understanding DBAs and...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/08/22

On this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I cover the most important topic - the REAL differences between a Minnesotan and a Wisconsin accent! But don't worry. We quickly shift gears to talk about something really important for nonprofits: DBAs (Doing Business As). We answer a listener's question about juggling legal name changes and DBAs without making things overly complicated. Trust me, you'll walk away with some practical tips to make your nonprofit life a whole lot easier. In the second

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14:37

118: Playing Fairy Godmother | Choosing a Successor...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/08/08

Welcome to another episode of Charity Therapy! This time, Meghan and I dive into the emotional and often tricky process of nonprofit dissolution. It's a rollercoaster. We'll talk about what happens to leftover funds and how to make sure they go to the right places, respect donor wishes, and keep the nonprofit’s mission alive. Plus, we've got some advice for a former executive director wrestling with how to distribute those remaining funds in a meaningful way. Spoiler: sometimes, overthinking can be

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21:06

117: Free Therapy for Wallabies | Political Activity...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/07/25

Ever wondered what nonprofits can and can't do when it comes to politics? On today’s episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are diving into the tricky world of political activities for 501c3 nonprofits. We'll chat about the dos and don'ts of voter engagement, why 501c3s can't endorse candidates, and how 501c4s have more wiggle room in the political arena. Plus, we touch on the buzz around the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025. Spoiler: it's more complicated than you think! We also tackle some

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21:58

112: Blaspheme It Up | Nonprofit Fundraising with T....

Charity Therapy ·

2024/05/16

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 of data and systems for fundraising success. Clay dropped some serious knowledge bombs about the power of a solid fundraising plan and the need to keep it real with your donors. We tackle a listener's dilemma about getting their board involved in fundraising, and Clay is all about having a real honest convo with your consultant. Plus, he shakes

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16:38

110: Don’t Do It, Emmanuel! | When NOT to Start a...

Charity Therapy ·

2024/04/18

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 real ins and outs of starting and keeping a nonprofit afloat. Spoiler alert: it's not all sunshine and rainbows. There are hoops to jump through and some pretty sticky rules that can trip you up. But don't worry. We're here to help you through it without pulling your hair out. In this episode of Charity Therapy, we get super honest about how

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16:38

109: SMART Goals & Cans of Worms

Charity Therapy ·

2024/04/04

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 tripping over those pesky legal lines. Meghan and I dive into why your mission should feel like a finish line you can cross—not just some far-off dream you're chasing forever. We also get real about those missions that are so big and messy that they could keep you busy till the end of time. But don't worry—we're all about keeping it real and making

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25:25

107: All Aboard the Struggle Bus!

Charity Therapy ·

2024/03/07

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 amazing Allison Welch, who's like a treasure hunter for grants, guiding us through the twists and turns of nonprofit funding. We're peeling back the curtain on that mysterious world of grant dollars, and it's not just about waving that 501(c)(3) magic wand and watching the money fall from the sky. We're getting down to the nitty-gritty of what

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22:10

106: Down With the Golf Tournament

Charity Therapy ·

2024/02/22

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 Jess, and she's the superstar behind Ripple Event Marketing. We're unpacking all the tips and tricks to create fundraising events that are as unique as your mission – and it's not just about throwing another boring gala. Jess and Alicia kick things off by chatting about the wildest events they’ve seen, from a beanbag tournament on a baseball

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20:51

105: A Rose By Any Other Name…

Charity Therapy ·

2024/02/08

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 branding with Justin Bieganek. We're not just talking logos and colors; we're getting into the nitty-gritty of what makes your nonprofit tick and how to connect with people's hearts—not just their wallets. Picture this: You run a cat rescue, right? You've been all about giving older and disabled kitties a cozy place to land for years. But now

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29:00

104: To Be or Not 2B?

Charity Therapy ·

2024/01/25

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! In this episode, we’re bringing on the legendary Eve Borenstein, who's basically the superhero of IRS Form 990. Together, we're tackling the crazy challenges you face with these forms and helping keep your nonprofit from getting lost in the IRS maze. Have you ever felt like pulling your hair out when dealing with the IRS? You're not alone! Eve

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21:10

103: Buddy Systems & Sitcom Jingles

Charity Therapy ·

2024/01/11

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 sounds like something only a paperwork-loving lawyer could adore, but stick with us. It's going to be fun! On this episode of Charity Therapy, we're peeling back the curtain to reveal how to get those new board members feeling like part of the family in no time. Trust us, it's a game-changer for your nonprofit's success! We've all seen it – that

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123 results

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