Have you ever tried to open a bank account for your 501(c)(3) and felt like you were navigating a never-ending maze? Well, you're not alone!

In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are here to make that process a whole lot simpler. We’re breaking down the essential steps, from getting all your paperwork in order to avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you’re a pro or just getting your nonprofit boots on, this chat will leave you feeling ready to confidently tackle your nonprofit’s finances.

We dive into a listener's tricky situation about starting a new chapter of a 501(c)(3) and the hurdles they’ve faced with getting a bank account. Spoiler alert: sometimes the national organization isn’t being unhelpful—they might just be following the rules! With a mix of legal insights and real-world stories, we’ll explain why proper authorization is crucial and how to ensure you’re not accidentally breaking any rules.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what steps to take to open that nonprofit bank account the right way.

• The must-do steps for setting up a nonprofit bank account, from getting incorporated to gathering all the necessary paperwork

• A listener's struggle with opening a bank account for a new chapter of a 501(c)(3)

• Why having the proper authorization is crucial

• The common mistakes people make when setting up nonprofit bank accounts and how to avoid them

• The lowdown on how different nonprofit structures (like chapters and affiliates) affect your banking options

• Learn why opening a secret bank account is a terrible idea, even if you have the best intentions

Learn about nonprofit chapters & affiliates: birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct097

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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.

In this episode of Charity Therapy, Meghan and I are taking you on a wild ride from the wacky world of the Minnesota State Fair to the serious yet often misunderstood role of a nonprofit founder.

We dive into the heart of the matter: what does it really means to start a nonprofit? Spoiler alert: unlike for-profits, it probably doesn’t mean any cash in your pocket. Intrigued? Stick around to find out why this is so crucial for keeping charities honest and effective.

We tackle a listener's query about founder rights when the board calls it quits. There's a big myth that founders have ownership rights, and we're here to bust that myth wide open. When a nonprofit closes, its assets go to another nonprofit, not into the founder’s pocket. We know this can be a tough pill to swallow, especially if you're super passionate about your mission. We offer some advice on how to keep your cause alive, even if it means starting fresh. We chat about the tough realities of giving up control to a board and offer some fun, light-hearted moments to keep things balanced.

So grab your favorite fair food (maybe skip the dill pickle lemonade) and join us for a deep dive into the ups and downs of nonprofit founding.

• What a nonprofit founder’s role REALLY is
• What happens to the assets when a nonprofit closes its doors
• A listener question on whether founders have any rights after a nonprofit’s board votes to dissolve
• Busting the myth that founders have ownership rights
• The emotional and legal aspects of letting go of a nonprofit
• The sometimes tricky relationship between a founder’s vision and the board’s decisions
• Starting a nonprofit means giving up control to the board
• Advice on how to keep your mission alive, even if it means starting a new venture from scratch

Learn about nonprofit dissolution: birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct115

Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: birkenlaw.com/signup

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/birkenlaw

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.

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.

Today, Meghan and I are diving deep into the early years of running a nonprofit – that tricky “danger zone” between one to three years where everything feels like it's falling apart.

On this episode of Charity Therapy, we're chatting about how to tackle burnout, handle fundraising nightmares, and smooth out those internal squabbles that can really put a damper on things. Plus, we’ll be answering a juicy listener question about reviving a nonprofit its president unilaterally dissolved. Spoiler alert: governance drama and IRS headaches ahead!

We'll walk you through the maze of bureaucratic steps needed to bring a dissolved nonprofit back to life – or decide if it's better off staying in the grave. We’ll talk about the difference between a fully dissolved nonprofit and one that's just been left to gather dust and why that matters. Reapplying for 501(c)(3) status isn't exactly a walk in the park, but we have some tips to make it less daunting. But it's not all paperwork and processes – we also celebrate the incredible passion and dedication of nonprofit folks like you. Remember, focusing on the human element is key to long-term success and growth.

So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and join us for a conversation that's as insightful as it is relatable. And hey, if you enjoy this episode, do us a solid and leave a five-star review. Share it with anyone who might be struggling with their nonprofit journey. We’re all in this together!

• Why nonprofits often hit a “danger zone” in their first three years
• The burnout, fundraising woes, and internal conflicts that spell trouble for a new nonprofit organization
• A listener’s situation where the president dissolved their nonprofit solo
• How to potentially revive a nonprofit or start fresh
• The difference between a fully dissolved nonprofit and one that's just been left hanging, and why it matters
• The tricky process of reapplying for tax-exempt status with the IRS and understanding the procedural nitty-gritty
• How to reanimate an abandoned nonprofit and the potential drama it could stir up
• Why keeping the human side in mind is key to sustained growth and wellness

Mission Guardian: www.missionguardian.com

Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: birkenlaw.com/signup

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/birkenlaw

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.

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.