In this episode of Charity Therapy, we’re diving deep into the mysterious realm of nonprofit chapters and affiliates.
If you’ve ever been perplexed by the nonprofit world’s labyrinth of structures and systems, we’ve got your back! Meghan and I will explain the crucial differences between chapters and affiliates (who knew they were different?!) and how they can intertwine in an intricate organizational matrix.
In this journey through the nonprofit universe, we’re going to tackle the question that keeps many of us up at night: To start a nonprofit or not to start a nonprofit? For a group that’s a small chapter of a larger national org, that question can be really tricky!
We’ll discuss the importance of understanding the support (if any) a national organization gives its chapters or affiliates and all the implications of going out on your own. Spoiler alert – sometimes it’s better not to start a new organization at all!
Strap in for a ride through the intricacies of nonprofit structures, full of laughs, a-ha moments, and practical advice. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran in the nonprofit sector, contemplating starting your own organization, or just fascinated by this world, this episode is for you. As we say in the biz, there’s never a dull moment in the nonprofit sector – let’s dive in and enjoy the ride!
In this episode, you will hear:
- The differences between chapters and affiliates (and why it matters!)
- How organizational structures can easily get super complex
- The big question: Do you take a chapter and spin it off to be its own nonprofit entity?
- What kinds of support an organization may give its chapters and affiliates
- Why sometimes your group doesn’t need to be a nonprofit at all!
Resources from this Episode
Sign up for the 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.

Recent Podcast Episodes

140: Serenity Now | Can the President Seize a Nonprofit’s Assets?

139: Counting On Our Fingers | Understanding The Long Wait Times for IRS Tax Exemption Applications

138: Trump Vs. Harvard | Can the President Revoke a Nonprofit’s Tax-Exempt Status?

137: This Is Not Mad Men | Advice for Executive Directors Managing Their Board with David Rhode

136: Please Sir, Can I Have Some More? | How to Thrive in Nonprofit Fundraising in 2025

135: One Big Nugget | What Nonprofits Need to Know About DEI & Trump’s Executive Order

134: Witchcraft Ceremonies & Monster Truck Shows | Dissolving a Nonprofit with an SBA Disaster Loan

133: We’re All Pre-Fired | Hiring an Interim Executive Director with Roger Meyer
