Nonprofit Counsel Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Ponsford, co-founder of Gateway for Good and founder of Main Street Philanthropy. Ryan shares his journey from board member to philanthropy advocate, discussing the importance of asking tough questions and bringing various skills to the table as a board member. He dives into the origins of Main Street Philanthropy, which aims to prevent family disputes over wealth by teaching the next generation the value of giving. Through compelling stories, including his work with competing gang members and wealthy families, Ryan highlights the transformative power of philanthropy to foster vision, trust, and communication. He believes in the profound impact of giving and urges us all to start small, as kindness and empathy will follow.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:38] Ryan shares how he became a board member and why he began asking unpopular questions

• [6:11] Discussion of the role of a board member and how different boards want a variety of skills brought to the table

• [10:58] Ryan describes the genesis of Main Street Philanthropy to keep families together and not fighting each other when wealth was passed from generation to generation and his friend who was working with troubled teens

• [14:47] How an unexpected conversation can change everything, and Ryan describes his “oh crap” moment and how putting together competing gang members could work together for the good of others

• [17:42 Ryan talks about the incredible power of giving and breaks down the word philanthropy and how it spread around the country

• [25:14] Ryan’s day job is owning a wealth management firm to help families, and he gives an example of working with a wealthy family 

• [31:23] Discussion around the critical question of what matters to you and how we can connect on that goes beyond money and how feelings follow actions

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Board members should be engaged and ask questions. If something doesn’t feel right or sound right, it should be challenged. 

• Main Street Philanthropy’s goal is to keep kids from fighting when wealth is transferred from one generation to the next. Main Street teaches giving and investing in something bigger than yourself.

• The philanthropic process can teach vision, financial literacy, trust and communication, and the world would be better. 

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

https://www.ryanponsford.com/

https://www.gatewayforgood.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanponsford

BIOGRAPHIES:

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her clients' missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise and business law, estate planning and charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: Ryan Ponsford

My experience and credentials come from 20 years in the financial industry, both at an institutional and private level.  Individuals, advisors, and families bring me into their lives to bring clarity and simplicity to complex challenges, often involving their businesses, wealth transition, giving greater impact, or providing a unique perspective on reducing risk.  I've worked with families worth several hundred million dollars and those just starting their earning years.  I engage business leaders to create giving programs for their companies and employees to experience the joys of giving purposefully.  

I've designed and launched multiple companies, some that have worked, many that have failed miserably.  In each endeavor, I learn, grow, and better understand the power of giving and service.  And what have I learned?  We're all just people trying to do the right things for the right reasons.  We all wake up with fears and insecurities, opportunities and challenges.  We're all trying to find a tribe to connect with to enjoy this experience called life more fully. 

Welcome to The Nonprofit Counsel podcast, hosted by May Harris, Esq.. In today's episode, we are honored to feature Tania Marino, a dedicated leader at Gather, a food pantry serving over 10,000 people in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Tania spearheads Gather's innovative culinary programs, which address the pressing issue of food shortages and the challenge of providing nutritious meals to those who cannot afford them. Gather's impact extends beyond the traditional pantry, with a mobile unit, innovative programs, and market reaching even more people in need. Tania shares her journey in this inspiring conversation, the incredible work done through the Seacoast Waste Not coalition, and the powerful relationships that have fueled their success. From feeding children to supporting older adults, Gather's story is a testament to the power of community and perseverance.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:49] May describes how she and Tania know each other and their mutual connection to the USA rugby program

• [2:00] Tania shares how she became involved with the women’s rugby team, and she points out they had the only female coach at the Paris Olympic games

• [5:40] Gather was founded over 200 years ago in New Hampshire. Tania describes the food shortage problem and how they aim to meet the needs

• [13:36] It takes three kitchens where food is repurposed, which are run by staff, but volunteers are a necessity, and she explains how the Seacoast Waste Not coalition works

• [16:47] Tania reflects that much of their success is through relationship building, and she states when there are naysayers, you should never give up

• [21:56] Tania shares her journey in becoming involved with Gather

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Through the Seacoast Waste Not coalition, food is gathered from a number of sources that will throw out food at the end of the day. Now Gather distributes food that would have otherwise been wasted. 

• Gather serves 7,500 meals daily, and 93% of those meals are donated food. 

• Gather is supported by volunteers who give their time and energy to feed the hungry nutritious meals. 

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

Gather - Website

Tania Marino - LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHIES:

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her clients' missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise and business law, estate planning and charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: 

Tania leads Gather’s culinary programs: Cooking 4 Community (C4C), the Gather Café at Great Bay Community College, Gather Café catering, and the UNH Project. She joined the Gather team in 2019 after volunteering in the cooking program for two years. She studied economics at the University of Auckland and worked globally in international finance as a financial analyst and currency trader before transitioning to the nonprofit sector as a board member and direct service volunteer.

Growing up on a farm in New Zealand, food has always been central to Tania’s life. She has always been interested in food sustainability around the world, and her passion for entertaining fuels her desire to create delicious and nutritious meals that support the environment and reduce food insecurity. Outside of work, Tania enjoys playing and coaching tennis, scuba diving, having fun with family and friends, and following the sunshine to faraway spots! 

Trevor Blair, the founder of Blair Search Partners, joins May L. Harris, Esq., MA today on the Nonprofit Counsel podcast to discuss how to find the right people to help your nonprofit grow. Are all your preparations in order before commencing the hiring process? Where do you source your candidates from? How is your hiring process structured? Do candidates feel appreciated throughout the process, even if they're not selected? What organizational culture are you asking potential hires to leave their current positions for? Trevor answers these questions and others on today's episode.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:17] Trevor does executive searches, recruiting and workforce development for nonprofits

• [4:48] Trevor explains why nonprofits should consider hiring a search firm and what the costs are if they hire the wrong person

• [9:07] Trevor discusses the first 90 days of a new employee’s tenure and what to do if an employee doesn’t work out

• [13:50] Discussion of the legal steps that should take place before recruitment takes place and the difference between running ads and recruiting

• [17:57] Discussion of office culture and the intangibles that are important to employees and the issues of having some employees work in the office and some who work remotely

• [31:04] Trevor explains the human-centered design principles of hiring and managing a team

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [4:37] In the past, nonprofit organizations thought they couldn't justify the expense of hiring a recruitment firm. However, they now understand the importance of doing so to secure the skilled employees necessary for their operations.

• [14:51] Recruiting employees differs from simply advertising a job position.

• [17:24] The most beneficial environment for new hires involves the opportunity for mentorship through regular face-to-face interactions with their manager. Additionally, having autonomy over their schedule is also crucial.

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

https://blairsearchpartners.com/

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her client's missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: 

A native of San Diego, Trevor Blair has over 20 years of experience in executive search, recruiting and workforce development. He began his career with Manpower, a global provider of recruiting and HR solutions, and was initially based in Sydney. After five years with the Australian operation, he transferred back to the US for graduate school and then rejoined Manpower in San Diego. After serving several years as a Business Development Manager, he shifted focus to building the company’s workforce development and executive search practices. During this time, Trevor worked closely with nonprofit organizations to develop training and job placement programs for

underserved communities. He also helped secure public and private funding to back those programs, in addition to providing support in the areas of executive search and recruiting. In 2016, he leveraged this experience to launch a new firm, Blair Search Partners, specializing in search engagements for nonprofit and public-sector clients. Today, the firm manages 30-40 search engagements annually for clients across California and on the East Coast as well. BSP’s work spans almost every area of the sector, including philanthropy, human services, education, professional associations and the arts. Trevor’s community engagement has included numerous organizations, including his current board and committee positions with LEAD San Diego (immediate past chair), Zero8hundred (immediate past chair), and Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties. Outside of career, Trevor is an avid endurance athlete, having competed in over 200 triathlons worldwide. He is a 10-time Ironman finisher and 3-time Boston Marathon finisher. He holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania (summa cum laude) and an MBA from the University of Southern California. Trevor and his wife Megan live in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego with their daughter Eleanor (5) and son Julian (3).

Mike Gellman, the founder of High Five Career Coaching, specializes in collaborating with nonprofit executives and leaders for them to reach their full potential. In this conversation, Mike and May Harris, Esq., MA, explore the essential qualities needed for effective nonprofit leadership and discuss the available resources to support these executives. They also weigh the merits and drawbacks of transitioning from the corporate sector to nonprofit work, delving into the intriguing idea of how nonprofits, often considered competitors, can form beneficial alliances. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:19] Mike explains how he became involved in the nonprofit sector and why he founded High Five Career Coaching, which serves nonprofits

• [5:10] Mike reflects that nonprofits have the same types of problems to deal with as corporate entities. It is just a matter of scale.

• [9:50] Discussion regarding the nonprofit mastermind and advisory boards

• [15:55] What should an executive working in a corporate job consider before moving to a nonprofit, and what are the advantages of taking a nonprofit position

• [24:00] Mike discusses nonprofits dovetailing with each other and sharing resources, deciding they are not in competition but can help each other

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [5:00] Nonprofits face significant challenges in determining their desired direction, employee motivation, and securing funding streams.

• [11:53] Having an advisory group is advantageous for a director as it provides a secure space to discuss matters they might be hesitant to share with their board. 

• [15:42] Transitioning from a corporate role to a nonprofit position requires acknowledging that nonprofit salaries are generally lower than those in the corporate sector, and the resources available may differ from those found in the corporate world. In such a move, executives might take on a more hands-on role in various tasks. However, the upside is there is less bureaucracy, and it can be a great career accelerator with less oversight and the ability to accomplish much. 

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

High Five Career Coaching - Website

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her client's missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: 

For over 20 years, Mike Gellman, Founder & CEO of High Five Career Coaching, has successfully facilitated numerous talent management and organizational development initiatives, including succession planning, high-potential leader development programs, employee engagement, team development, and organizational change efforts. With a Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, he’s also an ACC credentialed coach via the International Coach Federation and author of Pipe Dreams: 7 Pipelines of Career Success.

He launched his nonprofit career in organizational development at the world-famous San Diego Zoo (now San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance). During that time, Mike also volunteered his efforts to create an award-winning mentorship program for the Association for Talent Development-San Diego (formerly ASTD), which recently celebrated its 21st year of successfully preparing future leaders. He subsequently served in capacity-building roles for Father Joe’s Villages and South Bay Community Services. Mike launched and managed a highly regarded Career Coaching & Development Center for SoCalGas in the corporate sector while also serving on the board of the Sempra Employee Giving Network, an employee-run nonprofit foundation. He’s currently serving as the Mentorship Program Chair for the North County Philanthropy Council.

In addition to being a proud dad of a bright college junior, Jonas, Mike enjoys running, hiking, nature photography, and volunteering within his community. You often find him pulling weeds at Coastal Roots Farm and leading free Nonprofit NetWalks about town. Born and raised in Cleveland, he currently resides in Oceanside.

Are you familiar with the distinctions between a public charity and a private foundation? Is fundraising permissible in states where you lack registration? When is the appropriate time to utilize a 1023 EZ Form? Danika Mendrygal, CEO and founder of Mendrygal Law firm in Dallas, Texas, joins May Harris, Esq., MA in this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, to explore these and other critical questions that often elude nonprofit organizations and may lead them into complications. Grab a pen and paper to absorb valuable insights – don’t miss this episode. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:28] Danika explains how she started her firm and began advising nonprofits

• [6:27] Discussion surrounding nonprofits moving from one state to another and the ramifications of fundraising in states other than where registered

• [15:00] Danika outlines the differences between private foundations and public charities and the use of the 1023 EZ Form

• [20:45] Discussion of the IRS, completing forms properly and audits

• [23:00] Danika advises new foundations that are less than three years old

• [31:15] Danika leaves the listener with a suggestion of getting a CPA first and foremost and getting an education from the IRS website
  

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [9:32] All states have different laws governing non-profits. When a nonprofit operates nationwide, the law firm you engage must have experts navigating those laws. 

• [10:18] Nonprofits should analyze where they are fundraising and transacting business because they are subjecting themselves to jurisdiction in that state. 

• [15:18] There is a big difference between a public charity and a private foundation, and 501c3 needs to be aware of those differences as they begin to organize.

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

Mendrygal Law - Website

Danika Mendrygal - LinkedIn

ABOUT THE HOST:

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her client's missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: Danika Mendrygall

Danika Mendrygall founded Mendrygal Law to build a law firm devoted exclusively to serving nonprofit and tax-exempt clients. Danika guides clients through the many complexities of establishing, growing and managing a tax-exempt organization. She provides counsel, advice and representation in taxation, corporate governance and compliance issues.

Before launching Mendrygal Law in 2015, Danika spent 12 years at a nationally recognized firm. This big firm background elevates her practice, allowing Danika to handle the most sophisticated matters for clients. Nonprofit organizations are subject to a highly complex series of regulations and requirements that impact all areas of operation. Danika has the detailed knowledge needed to put all the pieces together and meet the full range of legal, tax and compliance needs of her clients.

Genevra Williams, an attorney practicing at Mendrygal Law in Dallas, Texas, specializing solely in representing tax-exempt organizations, joins May Harris to explore the Form 990 and its different iterations. May underscores the distinction that while all tax-exempt organizations are nonprofit, not all nonprofits enjoy tax-exempt status. The conversation will delve into the consequences of nonprofit organizations using an incorrect reporting tool. This episode aims to guide listeners in determining whether they can manage these forms independently or if seeking legal assistance is necessary. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:14] Genevra discusses how she came to practice nonprofit law and why she is an advocate of the Form 990

• [6:53] Genevra explains what she can learn from the Form 990

• [12:26] Genevra and May discuss Schedule 0

• [15:37] Genevra discusses two other policies she loves

• [18:53] The 990N and how to avoid issues in the future and other forms necessary to the IRS

• [25:53] Genevra mentions churches and other religious organizations' filings
  

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [5:39] The Form 990 provides substantial information about a client or potential client.

• [8:11] There are dead giveaways on Form 990 that Genevra uses to make recommendations to her clients on whether they should donate to a particular nonprofit.

• [15:18] You should have a conflict of interest policy everyone understands, particularly regarding gift acceptance.  

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

Genevra Williams - LinkedIn

ABOUT THE HOST:

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her client's missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: Genevra Williams

Genevra brings an insider’s perspective to her client’s issues. Prior to entering private practice, she was the sole in-house attorney for a prominent community foundation in Dallas, Texas, where she managed all issues related to legal compliance, board governance, and risk management. While in this role, she trained in-house staff, worked with ultra-high-net-worth donors, and consulted internal stakeholders on development and planned giving topics.

Genevra’s law practice focuses exclusively on the representation of tax-exempt organizations on a wide range of matters, including governance, tax compliance, endowments, executive compensation, complex gifts, fiscal sponsorship structures, intellectual property issues, and employment matters. She has counseled private foundations, public charities, supporting organizations, community foundations, churches, and other religious organizations on a wide range of issues. Genevra has been selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list (2022) and The Best Lawyers in America® for Non-profit / Charities Law (2024).

Is your nonprofit progressing toward achieving its mission? Is it ensuring long-term sustainability? Our host May Harris discusses these crucial matters with David J. O’Brien and Matthew D. Craig, coauthors of "Building Smart Nonprofits, a Roadmap to Mission Success." The conversation delves into key insights about potential challenges in nonprofit operations and highlights success stories. One contentious topic explored is whether it is beneficial or detrimental for a budding nonprofit to host a Gala. Tune into this episode of Nonprofit Counsel to get the answers to your questions about serving as a nonprofit board member.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:37] David tells why he wrote the book Building Smart Nonprofits, a Roadmap for Mission Success.

• [7:21] What is Sustainability?  Longevity and the impact together comprise sustainability. 

• [18:13] Using universities as an example of monetizing intellectual property plus other samples of doing nonprofits correctly, and what is the key to sustainability

• [33:22] The importance of telling the story with data to back it up and matching money to mission

• [37:42] A mistake of a marketing campaign and spending on overhead

• [42:25] Advice from David and Matt to listeners

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [8:55] Nonprofits should not be run by MBAs who don’t understand that nonprofits operate differently than the corporate world.

• [9:38] You should not run an organization on which people’s lives depend by having a short-term funding model. 

• [16:47] Nonprofits should put operating and overhead line items in their proposals 

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

Building Nonprofits, a Roadmap for Mission Success - Book

ABOUT THE HOST:

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her client's missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: 

David - David J. O’Brien enjoyed a career in the for-profit sector over a span of 45 years, with broad-based experience in multi-industry corporate development, finance, and management of organizations ranging from Fortune 500 conglomerates to startups. David has served as Board Chair, Committee Chair, and Director/Trustee of numerous nonprofits in diverse fields, including education, international health NGOs, social services, and the arts. He resides in rural San Diego County with his wife, Dr. Paula Cordeiro, and when not active in the nonprofit community, enjoys sailing Colibi, his 60-year sloop, cooking, oil painting, and accompanying Paula on her travels working with NGOs in Africa, & Central/South America.

Matthew - Matthew D. Craig is vice president and senior relationship manager with JPMorgan Chase, specializing in providing a broad range of services to governments and nonprofit organizations. With over twenty years of experience in the financial sector, he has held positions in credit underwriting, commercial and small business banking, and private wealth management. Throughout his academic and professional careers, Matt has been an active volunteer and advocate for myriad social organizations. He is a philomath, teacher, traveler, and mediocre beach volleyball player. Matt currently lives in Escondido, California, with his wife Courtney and their twins, Kerrigan and Landry.

Rick Dahlseid, who serves on the Executive Management Team of PBO Advisory Group leading the Nonprofit Division, presents an interesting acronym to our host May Harris that he shares when teaching nonprofit financial management courses at UCSD. He refers to an acronym called M.A.R.L.I.N. The idea is that it is beneficial for nonprofit boards to have specific individuals on their board, starting with “M,” a Marketing Professional. Rick takes us through the initials, touching on all the pieces that make a board successful. May and Rick also share their thoughts on volunteering in the community and assisting nonprofit organizations. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:11] Rick shares his background in the nonprofit sector

• [2:24] Rick explains that he teaches classes at the University of San Diego and the University of California at San Diego

• [4:28] Rick discusses when a nonprofit should engage a fractional CFO

• [5:52] Rick tells how a PBO serves nonprofits and other entities 

• [7:28] Rick shares some details of the boards he has served on and describes the acronym he uses to cover board membership 

• [11:55] Rick encourages listeners to volunteer in ways to give back to the community and nonprofits
  

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [2:24] The University of San Diego offers a certificate program in their nonprofit institute.

• [3:33] There can be a fractional CFO in a nonprofit organization.

• [4:28]  When a nonprofit in California exceeds 2 million dollars, it must have an audit.

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

PFO Advisory - Website

ABOUT THE HOST:

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her client's missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: 

A Certified Public Accountant with a master's degree in Taxation, Rick is a financial expert by training and trade. His lead-servant perspective and warm personality give him an advantage in perfecting corporate vision and financial operations to ensure operational efficiencies. Rick enjoys sharing his ideation strength to plan and introduce enhanced operational and cost control initiatives to drive greater social awareness and mission impact. Rick has served as a leader, mentor, trusted advisor, and proponent of positive, productive organizational change in many types and sizes of organizations. Rick has unique expertise in the nonprofit area and has served in the Chief Financial Officer position for the past 18 years in healthcare, human services, arts and culture, environment, children’s initiatives, higher education, and affordable housing. He is employed by and serves on the Executive Management Team of PBO Advisory Group, leading the Nonprofit Division. Rick was honored to be named 2021 San Diego Man of Influence and a finalist in the respected 2020 San Diego Business Journal’s CFO of the Year awards.   

Rick is a Financial Executives International board member affiliated with the Financial Executive Networking Group and the CFO Roundtable.  He is active in his church and enjoys exploring San Diego along with his wife, Denise, who is 42 years old. 

May is excited to visit with Gene Takagi, the founder of NEO Law Group in San Francisco and a prolific writer for the Nonprofit Law Blog. During their conversation, they delve into the nuances of California nonprofits, exploring the differences between adhering to state laws versus federal regulations. The discussion extends to the general lack of oversight for nonprofits and the underlying reasons behind it. They also touch upon the potential pitfalls nonprofits face, whether through social media or whistleblowers notifying the attorney general about non-compliance with the law. Gene concludes the episode by sharing two crucial tips every budding nonprofit should implement.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:40] Gene explains how he became involved in working with tax-exempt organizations

• [10:27] Governing documents for nonprofits in the state of California

• [14:50] Gene shares that there is a difference between meeting a state requirement and a federal requirement and why there is a lack of oversight

• [19:11] Discussion of ways the Attorney General’s office finds out that nonprofits are not operating under the law

• [27:11] Gene says you cannot overstate the importance of a mission statement

• [34:08] Gene explains why the selection of your board members is critical
  

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

[9:47] He emphasizes the critical role of governing documents and highlights the significance of adhering to the nuanced guidelines that nonprofits must navigate

[14:50] If you meet the state requirements for the 501c3, you still need to meet the Federal requirement.

[24:59] It is essential to spend money on administration to stay compliant.

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

Neo Law Group - Website

Non-Profit Attorney - LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nonprofitattorney/

ABOUT THE HOST:

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her client's missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: 

Principal of NEO Law Group, Contributing Publisher of the Nonprofit Law Blog, and P/T Lecturer at Columbia University. I've been published by The New York Times, The Nonprofit Quarterly, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and The Nonprofit Times and spoken at conferences for Independent Sector, BoardSource, the National Association of State Charity Officials, and the American Bar Association. In the past, I've served as a corporate attorney for an AmLaw 100 firm, professor of nonprofit law at USF and SMU-MN, director of the medical and behavior divisions of the San Francisco SPCA, and management consultant for a billion dollar privately held company. I'm an alum of UCLA School of Law honored to have received several awards for doing the work I love including the 2016 Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer from the American Bar Association's Nonprofit Organizations Committee. I also serve on the boards of BoardSource and The Nonprofit Quarterly, the board of advisors of the National Center on Philanthropy and the Law (NYU), and the planning committee of the Western Conference on Tax Exempt Organizations. I previously served on the public policy committee and John W. Gardner Leadership Award committee of Independent Sector and the boards of CompassPoint, Net Impact, JCYC, Barrister Club (BASF), and Community Initiatives.

Today, on the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, May is joined by Jacob Zerkle, a dedicated attorney in the nonprofit sector employed at Michael Best and Friedrich. He is also the brains behind Nonprofit Office Wisdom, a noteworthy feature on his LinkedIn profile. May and Jacob discuss the evolving landscape of nonprofit funding in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. They delve into the crucial topic of how nonprofit boards should navigate the process of selecting and hiring an attorney. Tune in today to gain insights into the potential drawbacks of choosing an attorney without nonprofit expertise.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:17] Jacob explains what led him to represent nonprofit organizations

• [4:07] Jacob describes his role at Michael Best and Friedrich 

• [7:23] The changes in the nonprofit atmosphere post-Covid

• 11:07] Advise regarding what a nonprofit should look for in legal counsel and how to obtain those services 

• [13:38] Jacob explains how the Nonprofit Office Wisdom series on LinkedIn came to be  

• [16:46] Jacob describes the differences between a nonprofit and a regular attorney

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• The regular attorney on your nonprofit board is different from the person who should be advising your board on issues. You need the advice of a nonprofit attorney.

• Nonprofits have been struggling since COVID-19 because they have lost some government funding.

• You need a nonprofit attorney to advise you on compensation for founders or directors. 

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

Michael Best & Friedrich - Website

Jacob Zerkle - LinkedIn

ABOUT THE HOST: 

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her clients' missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY: Jacob Zerkle

Jacob's practice is devoted to meeting the legal and tax needs of charities, private foundations, community foundations, and churches so that these organizations can focus on serving the city of Chicago and beyond. He enjoys advising organizations during the start-up process and throughout their life cycle, as well as individuals and for-profit entities collaborating with these organizations. Besides spending time with his wife and three crazy kids, he also loves diners and diner food, The Office with Steve Carell, and CrossFit (which is necessary to balance out the diner food).