Charity Therapy

Nonprofits tend to be pretty risk-averse. I mean, failing could mean losing donor confidence, right? But on the other hand, how can we expect to pursue our missions without trying new things? I sat down with Antonio Cardona from Pillsbury United Communities to talk about how nonprofits can take certain risks today to make a lasting difference in their communities. Join me on Facebook Subscribe to my newsletter

Missed out on the SBA disaster loans because they ran out of money? They're baaack! Congress funded more disaster relief again. In this episode small business accounting guru Dana DeZiel answers questions like Who can apply? Is your nonprofit eligible? Why would you NOT want to get one? Where can you apply? Find Dana https://www.supportingstrategies.com/bio-dana-deziel. Check out DivvyPay mentioned www.getdivvy.com Find me @JessBirken or head over to my website at www.birkenlaw.com

With the coronavirus pandemic, things are changing every single day. It's easy to miss out on some of the updates. So, I called my friend and colleague Chad Staul to come and talk about the new paid leave laws that go into effect today. Every small business, nonprofit or for-profit, with less than 500 employees should tune in - this affects you! • Join me on Facebook • Subscribe to my newsletter

As schools are called off for the rest of the year, toilet paper flies off the shelves, and shelter-in-place orders are announced, anxieties are high. Everyone is worried about money, jobs, health, and how to stay sane in the coming weeks. So, as a leader at a small nonprofit, how are you supposed to make decisions for the organization? Meghan and Jess meet up (virtually) to chat about how to get your mind right and steer the nonprofit forward. Get my guide to holding virtual member meetings Join me on Facebook Subscribe to my newsletter

Is common sense enough to run a successful nonprofit? Spoiler alert: NO! That being said, a good dose of common sense certainly helps. In this episode, your hosts Jess and Meghan are joined by Jim Hall to talk through some thorny nonprofit questions, ranging from what happens when an org goes under to how to deal with tricky funders. Listen in and see whether your nonprofit common sense is up to snuff! • Join me on Facebook • Subscribe to my newsletter

It's easy for nonprofits to fall into the habit of doing things just because that's "how they've always been done." But sometimes you have to disrupt the status quo to make new progress toward your mission. I sat down with Maria Huntley, ED of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, to talk about how one big change can make all the difference. • Join me on Facebook • Subscribe to my newsletter

Running a nonprofit is no easy task. Thankfully, there are TONS of resources out there if you just know where to look. I sat down with Kris Kewitsch of the Charities Review Council to talk about what holds nonprofits back and how the Council's Accountability Standards can help YOU level up your nonprofit. • Join me on Facebook • Subscribe to my newsletter

What do you do with a starry eyed young person who thinks they can go to law school and change the world? You let them interview you and tell them the long and winding road to working with nonprofits and government. It ain't easy! I had the random chance to interview Katlyn, who is hell bent on making a difference - who am I to stop her? But hopefully if you've ever thought "I'll go to law school and work with nonprofits! Yay!" then you'll give this episode a listen.

Guest Amy Arcand of Willow Consulting joins your host Jess Birken to talk about what happens with people stop being polite and start getting real (LOL - you may be too young to get that joke) about firing their ED. How do you survive the aftermath? Amy is an expert Interm Executive Director and shares her story and her advice for nonprofit orgs going through an exec transition. • Join me on Facebook • Subscribe to my newsletter

Charitable giving is on the decline - big time. Studies now show that only 53% of Americans donate to charity. What does this mean and what do nonprofits need to focus on for the future? Are donations doomed? I talk with Steve Boland of Next In Nonprofits to find out his take. • Follow me on SoundCloud • Join me on Facebook • Subscribe to my newsletter

When is it time to give up and admit that it's just not working. In this episode Jess and the Birken Law team talk about giving up the ghost on a failed nonprofit; boards that throw in the towel; terminating problem members; an ED that needs to stop using her personal bank account; and, whether you should kill your volunteer program. • Follow me on SoundCloud • Join me on Facebook • Subscribe to my newsletter

It's holiday time - the season for turkey, big retail deals and...charity donations! How do YOU decide who to give to? Does facebook tell you which nonprofits are naughty and nice? In this episode we talk about how nonprofits that succeed are often under fire from unfriendly elves. Be a seasonal smarty and listen to this one! • Join me on Facebook • Subscribe to my newsletter

In this episode of Charity Therapy, we're taking on the tricky world of conflicts of interest in the nonprofit sector. Have you ever wondered if having family or friends on your board is okay or whether hiring a board member's offspring to build your website might raise some eyebrows? Don't fret - you're not alone! We're all about busting myths and providing clear, simple information on this often misunderstood topic. Let's talk about conflicts of interest - and no, I don't mean your run-of-the-mill arguments or disagreements. We're talking about divided loyalties and competing interests that could cloud decision-making in your nonprofit. A listener got us started on this journey by sharing their concerns about founding a nonprofit with family members on the board. It's not illegal, but it sure does make things interesting! We explore how to identify potential conflict-ridden situations, and we've got some handy strategies to manage these instances like a pro. Finally, we share some insider tips on setting expectations and policies, the importance of transparency and disclosure, and how to support each other through the process. Remember, it's not about avoiding conflicts altogether but knowing how to navigate them when they do come up. Buckle up and join us for an episode packed with advice, insights, and a healthy dose of humor - because who says you can't laugh while learning about nonprofit governance? Whether you're a seasoned pro or just strapping on your nonprofit boots, this episode is for you. In this episode, you will hear: What a conflict of interest REALLY is (Hint - it's not just about disagreements! What it means to have divided loyalties and competing interests Whether it's okay to have friends and family on the board of a new nonprofit Whether you can hire a board member's family member through a nonprofit The importance of conflict of interest policies in nonprofits Conflicts are not inherently bad and don't have to be terrifying Pro tips to make the process of dealing with conflicts so much easier for your board Resources from this Episode Check out Mission Guardian Toolkit, a legal resources subscription: missionguardian.com/toolkit Sign up for Birken Law Email list: birkenlaw.com/signup Facebook page: www.facebook.com/birkenlaw Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Welcome, folks! You're tuning into our very first episode of the Charity Therapy podcast. I'm your host, Jess Birken, attorney and the owner at Birken Law Office, and I'm joined by my super cool co-host and wing woman, Meghan. I've worked in the nonprofit sector for most of my professional life, and I can't wait to share it all with you. You know - the ups, downs, and those pesky curveballs - that this sector tends to throw at us. In this episode, we introduce ourselves, and you'll hear all about our adventures in the nonprofit sector. We talk about how we got into nonprofit work (hint: it wasn't a straight path), why we decided to start Charity Therapy, and why it's absolutely crucial to have honest conversations about the issues nonprofits face. We're basically your tour guides - ready to help you navigate through the world of nonprofits. But here's the thing: We can't do this alone. We need you! Your ratings and subscriptions can help us reach more folks and amplify the impact of our content. Plus, we want to hear your stories, questions, triumphs, and tribulations. Every story matters to us, no matter how small. Buckle up, and let's get started! In this episode, you will hear: Who we are & why we started Charity Therapy What is Charity Therapy and what you can expect in an episode Why we NEED to openly discussing common issues nonprofits face Our aim to create a community where everyone can learn, grow, and navigate the nonprofit world together How to send over YOUR questions and stories Resources from this Episode Sign up for Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/birkenlaw Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.