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Putting together the board of directors? Here are some things to think about before asking your attorney friend to serve on the board.

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By Jess Birken
Putting together the board of directors? Here are some things to think about before asking your attorney friend to serve on the board.

I work with a lot of people who’d like to start a nonprofit. One of first things I usually have to remind those founders is that a nonprofit startup needs board members. Once I remind them of all the important things the nonprofit board does, it’s up to them to find  people that’ll do a good job. Sometimes, those people are attorneys, and sometimes that can cause problems down the road.

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What Does it Mean to be a Nonprofit Board Member?

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By Jess Birken
What Does it Mean to be a Nonprofit Board Member?

I work with a lot of people who think they’d like to start a nonprofit. One of first things I usually have to remind those founders is that a nonprofit needs board members. Usually, those founders don’t really know how important the board members really are.

I’m going to give you an overview of what the board does and what your legal obligations are as a member of a nonprofit board.  I can help founders understand what you’re asking from these folks and help board members better understand exactly what you are signing up for before you agree to serve on a nonprofit board.

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Nonprofit Myth Busters III: Nonprofits and the IRS

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By Jess Birken
Nonprofit Myth Busters III: Nonprofits and the IRS

Are you dreaming about starting a nonprofit? That’s great! Maybe you aren’t sure whether a nonprofit is the right vehicle for your big idea. That’s okay, too. I spend a lot of time helping people figure out what exactly they should be doing when starting a charity. Breaking down the false ideas and myths about the nonprofit sector ends up being a big part of my work with founders.

In the last two episodes of this series we talked about nonprofit money myths (here) and setting up the board problems (here). This time I want to talk with you about the limiting beliefs around the IRS and nonprofits.

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Nonprofit Myth Busters II: How to set up a board of directors

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By Jess Birken
Nonprofit Myth Busters II: How to set up a board of directors

If you’re here, you’re probably thinking about starting a charity and wondering – how much do you know about the board of directors?

Did you catch the first episode of Nonprofit Myth Busters and are yearning for more?  (check it out here) I’m proud to say this Episode II is free of JarJar Binks (sorry, that’s my Star Wars fan humor showing).

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Nonprofit Myth Busters: Starting a nonprofit may not be right for you

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By Jess Birken
Nonprofit Myth Busters: Starting a nonprofit may not be right for you

So, you want to start a charity? Exciting!

If you’re like most of the people I work with, then you have been dreaming and planning and mulling and stewing and talking about this for a long time. Or the idea struck you like a lightning bolt, and now you’re possessed with executing it RIGHT NOW.

But before you start running down the road to nonprofit land, think about whether you’ve fallen prey to these myths about starting a nonprofit…

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