128: Don't Let Rich People Boss You Around | Do Grants Make the Nonprofit Worth It?

128: Don't Let Rich People Boss You Around | Do Grants Make the Nonprofit Worth It?

Author: Jess Birken, MNM, JD December 26, 2024 Duration: 19:08

In this episode of Charity Therapy, we're answering the big question - what even the nonprofit industrial complex?

We're pulling back the curtain on those nonprofits that seem more focused on keeping the lights on than actually solving the problems they set out to tackle. We're also answering a burning question from a listener thinking about flipping their for-profit mental health service into a nonprofit, all for the sake of snagging some grant money. Should they do it? Spoiler alert: it might be more trouble than it's worth!

Now, let's get real for a second. Turning your business into a nonprofit isn't just about filing a couple of forms and calling it a day. There are tax IDs, regulations, and more red tape than you can shake a stick at. But don't worry, we've got some alternative ideas up our sleeves, like pass-through grants that might just save the day.

Whether you're knee-deep in the nonprofit world or just curious about it, we promise you'll leave with a few nuggets of wisdom and maybe a laugh or two. Grab your headphones and settle in—it's time to get our nonprofit nerd on!

In this episode, you will hear:

  • Are some nonprofits just keeping themselves alive instead of tackling real issues?

  • Weighing the pros and cons of switching from for-profit to nonprofit for grant money

  • Starting a nonprofit is a whole new ballgame with tax IDs, tax exemptions, and regulations

  • How the pressure to become a nonprofit can be a big ask

  • Alternative funding ideas, like pass-through grants and keeping the mission alive without losing your sanity

  • You can't just "become" a nonprofit

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.

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.


Ever find yourself wishing for a direct line to seasoned nonprofit leaders, a chance to unpack the real challenges that don’t make it into the glossy annual reports? Charity Therapy is that conversation. With host Jess Birken, who brings her background as a lawyer and a Master of Nonprofit Management to the table, each session feels like pulling up a chair with a trusted advisor. The discussions move beyond theory, tackling the granular details of operations that leaders actually face-whether it’s navigating a tricky IRS compliance question, rebuilding a fundraising strategy from the ground up, or managing the complex interpersonal dynamics that define any mission-driven team. This podcast digs into the operational heart of the sector, offering pragmatic insights you can apply directly to your own work. It’s a resource built on the understanding that running a nonprofit is a continuous practice of problem-solving, and Jess guides these explorations with clarity and a deep respect for the work. Tune in for honest dialogue that treats the daily grind of management as the serious and nuanced craft that it is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Charity Therapy
Podcast Episodes
116: We Don't Need to Be Cops | Financial Fraud in Nonprofits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:48
In this episode of Charity Therapy, we're diving deep into nonprofit finances to help you safeguard your organization from fraud. We'll walk you through essential internal controls like segregation of duties, setting up…
115: Hell No! | Dissolving a Nonprofit Organization [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:29
What really goes into shutting down a nonprofit? In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I explore the emotional and legal rollercoaster of nonprofit dissolution. We kick things off by exploring the tricky differe…
114: A Four Egg Day | Understanding Restricted Gifts for Nonprofits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:12
Ever find yourself tangled in the mess of restricted donations and wondering how to keep everything legal and ethical? Well, you're in luck! In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are here to help you navigate…
113: Take a Deep Breath | Grant Writing for Small Nonprofits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:09
If you've ever felt like a deer in headlights when someone mentions grants, I'm here for you. In fact, I've got the guru of grant-getting, the scribe of success, Dalya Massachi herself, joining me on today's power-packed…
112: Blaspheme It Up | Nonprofit Fundraising with T. Clay Buck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:58
Today we've got an episode from the backlist featuring one of our favorite guests, T. Clay Buck from TCB Fundraising! Clay and I dive into the nerdy goodness of data and systems for fundraising success. Clay dropped some…