Charity Therapy copertina

Charity Therapy

Charity Therapy

Di: Jess Birken MNM JD
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A proposito di questo titolo

 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 mission by doing things right.Jess Birken, MNM, JD 543617 Economia Gestione e leadership Management
Episodi
  • 156: Captain Depressio Reporting for Duty | Can Nonprofits Give Tax-Free Money to People?

    156: Captain Depressio Reporting for Duty | Can Nonprofits Give Tax-Free Money to People?
    Jan 22 2026

    Nonprofits are tax-exempt, so lots of people assume that nonprofits don't have to worry about taxes ever. Right???? Well, not quite 😐

    In this episode, Meghan and I dig into a question I hear all the time from people who want to help their communities but are confused about how nonprofit tax rules actually work.

    Real Listener Question:

    "I own a couple of restaurants and we have several events to raise money for certain causes. Usually the money goes toward a charity or a local group, but sometimes we'll do it for a community member who needs financial support. The problem we're seeing is that when we give money to an individual, it messes up their taxes for the year. My bookkeeper suggested starting a nonprofit since nonprofit money isn't taxed. What kind of nonprofit would do that for us?"

    Quick answer – nonprofit tax exemption does NOT mean that everyone can ignore taxes for any money coming from a nonprofit. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

    In this episode, we unpack what tax exempt status really means (and what it absolutely does not mean). We talk about why starting a nonprofit does not magically make money tax free, how the IRS views giving cash to individuals, and where well-intentioned advice can lead to trouble for nonprofits AND their constituents.

    What You'll Learn:

    • What tax deductible actually means for donors
    • Why nonprofits cannot fundraise for specific individuals
    • How giving money to people is treated for tax purposes
    • Why starting a nonprofit doesn't prevent you from all taxes
    • What private benefit and step transactions are
    • Why sometimes the best answer is simply to pay the tax

    Bottom line: Nonprofits aren't a magic bullet to absolve you of all tax complications. Usually, starting a nonprofit doesn't make your charitable activities easier – in fact, sometimes it's best just to continue on with the good deeds you already do.

    Resources from this Episode

    • Previous Episode: What to do when a donor gifts harms more than helps: https://birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/155-donor-gifts/
    • Episode Transcript: https://birkenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CT156_Transcript.pdf

    Connect with Us

    • Jess Birken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbirken/
    • Meghan Heitkamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-heitkamp-829254115/

    Listen & Engage

    • Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music
    • Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Click "Ratings and Reviews" then "Write a Review"
    • Send us your nonprofit questions: https://birkenlaw.com/podcast/#podcast-story

    Stay Connected

    • Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/
    • Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
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    16 min
  • 155: Baby Don't Hurt Me | What To Do When a Donor Gift Harms More Than Helps

    155: Baby Don't Hurt Me | What To Do When a Donor Gift Harms More Than Helps
    Jan 8 2026
    You're getting donations for a nonprofit – and that's great! But sometimes generosity comes with strings you never expected. In this episode, Meghan and I dig into the wild world of donor gifts and why nonprofits need clear guardrails to protect themselves from gifts that actually hurt the nonprofit. Real Listener Question: "We have a donation button on our website where people can give online and set up recurring donations for monthly contributions. A few weeks ago, someone set up a daily 50 cent donation. Our accountant looked into it and is saying that it's not fraud or anything like that, but it just seems really silly. Our payment processor takes $0.30 out per transaction plus a merchant fee, so we're getting next to nothing on these donations. What do I do?" This tiny daily gift opens the door to a much bigger conversation about gift acceptance policies and the hidden costs of donations. Meghan and I talk through the drawbacks, the admin time, the donor relationship dynamics, and the surprising ways well-intentioned gifts can actually drain your resources. We also break down how to set minimums, how to talk to donors with compassion, and how to avoid getting stuck with gifts that cost more than they give back. What You'll Learn: Why every nonprofit needs a gift acceptance policyHow to know when a gift creates more harm than helpsThe hidden administrative costs behind every single donationWays to set smart donation minimumsHow to redirect donors without damaging the relationshipWhy saying no is actually part of stewardshipHow to prepare for unusual gifts before they show up Bottom line: Not every gift is a positive thing for a nonprofit. Sometimes you need to say no and guiding donors toward giving that truly supports your mission. Resources from this Episode Generate a Gift Acceptance Policy here: https://birkenlaw.com/mg-document-app/gift-acceptance-policy/For the others who aren't Gen-Xers, Night at the Roxbury: https://youtu.be/HwVh8pmOot4?si=2v3D5MAKXDFGteT_Previous Episode: What is a Nonprofit Audit with Hannah Hugen: https://birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct154-nonprofit-audit-hannah-hugen/Episode Transcript: https://birkenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CT155_Transcript.pdf Connect with Us Jess Birken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbirken/Meghan Heitkamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-heitkamp-829254115/ Listen & Engage Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon MusicRate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Click "Ratings and Reviews" then "Write a Review"Send us your nonprofit questions: https://birkenlaw.com/podcast/#podcast-story Stay Connected Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
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    17 min
  • 154: It's Gravy, Baby! | What is a Nonprofit Audit? with Hannah Hugen

    154: It's Gravy, Baby! | What is a Nonprofit Audit? with Hannah Hugen
    Dec 24 2025
    Think an audit is something to fear for your nonprofit? I get it! But what if it's actually a powerful tool for growth? In this episode, I sit down with nonprofit auditor Hannah Hugen from Abdo to unpack what an audit really is and why it's not nearly as scary as it sounds. Real Listener Question: "We filed the 1023-EZ and said we'd stay under $50K… but now a funding opportunity would push us past that. Will the IRS audit us? Should we say no to the money?" Hannah and I dig into what an audit actually involves, what the IRS does (and doesn't) care about, and how nonprofits can prepare for growth without panicking. We also talk through the "scary myths" that float around new organizations and the real steps you can take now to avoid future chaos. If you've ever wondered what auditors look for, how to document properly, or what GAAP even means, this conversation breaks it down in plain English. What You'll Learn: What a nonprofit audit actually isWhen the IRS might look at your organization and why it's not as dramatic as rumors implyHow to show good-faith financial projections from your 1023-EZWhy documentation habits will save your future selfThe difference between cash and accrual accountingPractical steps to get audit-ready even if you're small Bottom line: You don't need to fear audits — you just need systems, clarity, and good habits. Your nonprofit deserves room to grow, and the right preparation makes that growth possible without being overwhelmed. Resources from this Episode Understanding Cash vs. Accrual Accounting: https://youtu.be/5tSI1IPBVWkInternal Controls 101: https://birkenlaw.com/blog/internal-controls-101/Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-hugen-b0045a1b5/Learn about Abdo: https://abdosolutions.com/Previous Episode: How to Fix the Culture of Overwork at Your Nonprofit with Rachel Platt https://birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct153/Episode Transcript: https://birkenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CT154HH_Transcript.pdf Connect with Us Jess Birken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbirken/ Listen & Engage Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon MusicRate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Click "Ratings and Reviews" then "Write a Review"Send us your nonprofit questions: https://birkenlaw.com/podcast/#podcast-st Stay Connected Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/ Follow us on Facebory ook, Instagram, Twitter
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    18 min
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