Posts by Jess Birken
Can a Nonprofit Founder Take a Salary?
Starting a nonprofit takes grit, determination, and a whole lot of your time, money, and effort. So, I get the question all the time: Can I make the nonprofit my paid, full-time job? I wish I didn’t have to give you the typical lawyer answer here, but… it depends. Many founders end up in a…
Read MoreFounder’s Syndrome: How to Avoid the Trap of Doing It All
Let me tell you something nobody will ever say you’re starting a nonprofit. You’ve got this amazing vision. You’re ready to change the world. You’re thinking about your programs, your fundraising strategy, maybe what your logo should look like. All the exciting stuff! You also need to be thinking about how to avoid becoming the…
Read MoreHow to Fund a Nonprofit Startup and Pay Yourself the Right Way as a Nonprofit Founder
Quick answer: Nonprofit founders need to fund the nonprofit startup before they can possibly pay themselves. Nonprofits must generate revenue intentionally and treat finances like a business, not a passion project. Key takeaways: Nonprofits are businesses – but with extra rules and regulations! Founders can be paid by the nonprofit but in limited circumstances Funding…
Read More144: Pretending It’s 1995 | Breaking Down the IRS Changes for 501(c)(3) Status for Churches
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…
Read More141: Justice for the 8 Cents! | How to Communicate Nonprofit “Overhead” Expenses
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…
Read More140: Serenity Now | Can the President Seize a Nonprofit’s Assets?
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…
Read More139: Counting On Our Fingers | Understanding The Long Wait Times for IRS Tax Exemption Applications
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…
Read More138: Trump Vs. Harvard | Can the President Revoke a Nonprofit’s Tax-Exempt Status?
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…
Read More137: This Is Not Mad Men | Advice for Executive Directors Managing Their Board with David Rhode
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…
Read More136: Please Sir, Can I Have Some More? | How to Thrive in Nonprofit Fundraising in 2025
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…
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