Nonprofit Counsel Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Nonprofit advocacy takes center stage as May Harris welcomes John Van Cleef, CEO of Community Resource Center. In this episode, John shares how community-based organizations can amplify voices for vulnerable populations during unprecedented federal funding challenges. He introduces the concept of polycrisis and emphasizes creating psychological safety in nonprofits to support staff navigating trauma alongside clients. Learn how nonprofit leaders can advocate for federal funding through coalition building, policy engagement, and strategic communication. John's insights on revenue diversification, determined perseverance, and leading with compassion offer a roadmap for nonprofit leadership in uncertain times.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:   

How to build psychological safety in nonprofits during polycrisis by creating trauma-informed environments that support staff while they serve clients experiencing food insecurity, housing security challenges, and other critical needs.

Effective nonprofit advocacy strategies, including writing to elected officials, joining nonprofit coalition-building efforts, and partnering with national alliances to protect vulnerable populations during federal funding challenges.

The importance of revenue diversification for nonprofit sustainability, including balancing government funding, private donations, and social enterprise models to weather economic uncertainty.

Leadership approaches for addressing elder food insecurity and emerging needs in middle-income populations through trauma-informed care and dignity-centered service delivery.

Subscribe to The Nonprofit Counsel Podcast and stay ahead on the legal and strategic insights that help nonprofits thrive. Join the conversation and empower your mission with expert guidance every episode.

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 John Van Cleef's journey from military service to nonprofit leadership through the Salvation Army and into community-based organizations focused on dignity

03:58 CRC's mission serving 7,600+ individuals facing food insecurity, housing security challenges, and domestic violence services in coastal North County San Diego

10:29 Strategies for crisis management, including determined perseverance, understanding data, and creating psychological safety in nonprofits during polycrisis

16:15 Navigating federal funding challenges through SNAP, CalFresh, and the continuum of Care Funding while monitoring appropriations budget impacts on services

21:20 Nonprofit advocacy tactics: joining national coalitions, informing elected officials with policy advocacy, and using voice to protect vulnerable populations

KEY TAKEAWAYS:  

Nonprofit leadership requires creating psychological safety in nonprofits by acknowledging polycrisis, caring for teams experiencing secondary trauma, and providing self-care opportunities like sound baths during work hours to support staff wellbeing.

Effective nonprofit advocacy means writing in, speaking up, and leading. Nonprofit executives have a sacred trust to amplify voices for people who feel voiceless, and this advocacy is working at the federal, state, and local levels.

Revenue diversification is essential for nonprofit sustainability: CRC maintains a balanced portfolio with 55% government funding (28% federal), 30% private funding, and 15% from resale stores to weather funding uncertainties.

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

John Van Cleef envisions a world where everyone has what they need to thrive. With over 20 years in human services leadership at The Salvation Army, YMCA, Palomar Health, and Community Resource Center, he connects community compassion to community needs. John serves on the Alliance for Regional Solutions and is a Board Member and Partner for Amplified Impact Partners. A US Army Veteran who served in Panama (1989 to 1992), he's a father of four and grandfather of two. In his spare time, you'll find him hiking, jogging, or cycling around San Diego County, working on his golf swing—but definitely NOT posting on social media.

Community Resource Center

John Van Cleef - LinkedIn

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel  - LinkedIn

Nonprofit accounting and legal services require specialized expertise that most professionals lack. On this episode of Nonprofit Counsel, host May Harris speaks with Mike Payne, founder and CEO of Boss Advisors, about why combining these disciplines creates better outcomes for charitable organizations. Mike shares his journey from Ernst & Young's tax-exempt organization practice to building an innovative firm that integrates nonprofit CPA services with legal counsel. They discuss critical topics, including Form 990 preparation, board governance, conflict of interest policies, and why professionals should never dabble in nonprofit tax compliance. This conversation explores the benefits of combining legal and accounting services for nonprofits, while avoiding costly mistakes that could jeopardize their tax-exempt status.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:   

Why nonprofit accounting and legal services should be integrated rather than siloed to prevent costly compliance mistakes

The critical importance of specialized expertise in tax-exempt organizations and why professionals should never dabble in nonprofit law

How to establish proper board governance, including required training, conflict of interest policies, and articles of incorporation reviews

Best practices for Form 990 preparation and understanding the unique disclosure requirements that differ from traditional business tax returns

Subscribe to The Nonprofit Counsel Podcast and stay ahead on the legal and strategic insights that help nonprofits thrive. Join the conversation and empower your mission with expert guidance every episode.

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Mike Payne's journey from law school to Ernst & Young's tax-exempt organization practice and founding Boss Advisors

05:55 Combining nonprofit accounting and legal services eliminates the client middleman problem in nonprofit tax compliance, and it represents the intersection of law and tax

13:17 The dangers of practitioners dabbling in nonprofit law without specialized expertise in Form 990 preparation

19:16 Discussion of essential board governance training, including conflict of interest policies and required board member education

22:52 Ensuring articles of incorporation and bylaws align with actual organizational activities and charitable purpose

KEY TAKEAWAYS:  

Nonprofit accounting and legal services must be integrated to avoid putting clients in the awkward position of translating information between their accountant and lawyer, which often results in missed critical details affecting nonprofit tax compliance.

Practitioners should never dabble in tax-exempt organizations' work—whether lawyers or CPAs—because the specialized knowledge required means mistakes can result in excise taxes, intermediate sanctions, or complete loss of tax-exempt status for the organization.

Every board governance structure needs the ABCs plus D: articles of incorporation, bylaws, conflict of interest policy, and annual disclosure statements that board members must review and sign to ensure proper understanding and compliance.

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Michael Payne, JD, CPA, is a licensed attorney and Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years of experience serving business owners, individuals, and nonprofit organizations across the nation. As Founder and CEO of Boss Advisors, Mike leads the Advisory Practice, specializing in entity structuring, tax strategy, and compliance solutions that maximize efficiency and savings for clients. Having worked with large CPA and law firms before starting his own practice, Mike combines Big Four expertise with personalized service for local businesses and nonprofit organizations across the nation. A proud Arizona native and father of five, Mike holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting from NAU and a Juris Doctorate from ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

BOSS Advisors - Website

Mike Payne - LinkedIn

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel  - LinkedIn

The nonprofit sector is more than service—it's advocacy, innovation, and one of California's largest economic forces. In this milestone 20th episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris speaks with Geoff Green, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits).

Geoff shares insights on nonprofit advocacy, policy reform, board engagement, funding challenges, and legislative priorities shaping the sector in 2024 and beyond. From the Nonprofit Equity Initiative and government contracting reform to the ongoing debate over the Johnson Amendment, Geoff explains why nonprofit leaders must stay politically engaged.

If you're a nonprofit executive, board member, or advocate, this conversation will help you understand the power of nonprofit policy engagement and how CalNonprofits amplifies the voice of more than 10,000 organizations across the state.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ Why the nonprofit sector is one of California's largest employers and a hub for innovation
✅ How the Nonprofit Equity Initiative is reforming state contracting and funding
✅ Why the Johnson Amendment matters in an election year—and what's at stake in court
✅ Practical ways nonprofits can engage in advocacy without partisanship

Key Takeaways

🔹 Nonprofits are problem solvers – filling gaps where government and private industry cannot
🔹 Advocacy is not optional – if nonprofits aren't at the table, they're on the menu
🔹 Policy shapes sustainability – from wages to contracts, nonprofit survival depends on legislation
🔹 Collective voice matters – one nonprofit is powerful, but 10,000 together can shape systems

• 0:00 Why the nonprofit sector is the most creative problem solver

• 1:15 What CalNonprofits does: advocacy, education, and research

• 3:17 Geoff's journey from fundraising to policy leadership

• 5:27 Why defining nonprofits by what they aren't is limiting

• 8:03 Innovation and risk-taking in the nonprofit sector

• 9:20 Legislative priorities and the Nonprofit Equity Initiative

• 11:45 Assembly Bill 590: advance payments for state contracts

• 13:11 Challenges with PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) lawsuits

• 15:07 Wage increases, housing costs, and nonprofit funding limits

• 17:13 How CalNonprofits mobilizes members for advocacy

• 19:01 Boards, advocacy, and political misconceptions

• 20:25 The Johnson Amendment and election year risks

• 22:24 Why nonprofits must be at the policy table

• 24:09 $1 to $20 ratio: why nonprofits must influence public spending

• 25:33 Membership, resources, and collective voice through CalNonprofits

Geoff Green is the CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), where he leads advocacy, research, and education efforts for the state's nonprofit sector. With decades of experience in fundraising, coalition building, political advocacy, and nonprofit leadership, Geoff has been a longtime member and board chair of CalNonprofits. Today, he champions policy reform, funding equity, and nonprofit sector visibility, ensuring that nonprofits remain central to California's civic and economic life.

• For Profit Law Group - Website - https://www.fplglaw.com

• Nonprofit Counsel - Website - https://www.nonprofitcounsel.com/

• California Association of Nonprofits - Website - https://calnonprofits.org 

#NonprofitAdvocacy #NonprofitLeadership #NonprofitPolicy #CalNonprofits #JohnsonAmendment #NonprofitCouncilPodcast

Running a nonprofit takes more than passion, it takes strategy, leadership, and the ability to answer the all-important "So what?" for funders, boards, and communities. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris sits down with Dr. Crystal Trull, founder of CT Nonprofit Consulting and faculty member in nonprofit leadership at the University of San Diego.

Crystal shares candid insights from her work as an executive director, consultant, and board development expert. From tackling the myth of the "unicorn" executive director to teaching boards how to stay intentional, she reveals why mission alignment, collaboration, and transparency are the keys to healthy nonprofit governance.

Whether you're a nonprofit board member, executive director, or aspiring leader, this conversation will help you strengthen governance, recruit better boards, and build stronger relationships that drive impact.

✅ Why the myth of the "unicorn" executive director hurts nonprofits
✅ How to recruit and engage board members who reflect your mission and community
✅ Why the "So What" factor is essential for winning funders' trust
✅ Tips for building strong relationships between boards and executive directors

Want to strengthen your nonprofit's board and leadership? Visit NonprofitCouncil.com to access strategies, tools, and insights to recruit better boards, support your executive director, and lead with clarity.

👉 Want templates and step-by-step nonprofit leadership training
→ https://nonprofitcounsel.com/leadership-accelerator

🔹 Mission comes first – every board decision, recruitment, and program must tie back to mission
🔹 Intentional recruitment matters – boards must reflect their community and bring lived experience, not just titles
🔹 Boards and executives share responsibility – governance fails when boards expect EDs to do it all
🔹 Transparency is critical – honesty about challenges builds trust and sustainability

• 0:00  Why boards can't expect a "unicorn" executive director

• 1:03  Meet Dr. Crystal Trull, nonprofit consultant and educator

• 2:28  Crystal's education and career journey from ED to PhD

• 5:02  Why advanced nonprofit education and research matter

• 7:01  How research informs nonprofit practice and consulting

• 8:03  What nonprofits really ask for: money and board members

• 9:20 Post-COVID shift from competition to collaboration

• 11:04  Helping organizations articulate their "So What"

• 13:09  Challenges of working with established boards

• 14:00  Recruiting intentional, diverse, and representative board members

• 16:20 Setting expectations for new board members from day one

• 18:01  Why board development must stay on the agenda

• 19:01  Healthy board–executive director relationship 

• 20:09 Why EDs shouldn't be expected to do it all

• 22:17  The importance of transparency in executive searches

• 23:06  The role of strong board chairs and vice chairs

• 24:33  Final advice: remove personal agendas and focus on mission

Dr. Crystal Trull is the founder and principal of CT Nonprofit Consulting, where she helps nonprofits strengthen boards, strategy, and leadership. With experience as a nonprofit executive director, consultant, and educator at the University of San Diego, Crystal brings a unique blend of practitioner expertise and academic insight. She specializes in board development, governance, nonprofit leadership, and strategic planning.

• For Profit Law Group - Website - https://www.fplglaw.com 

• Nonprofit Counsel - Website - https://www.nonprofitcounsel.com/ 

• Crystal Trull - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-trull-phd-2a8a7914/ 

• CT Nonprofit Consulting - Website. https://www.ctnonprofitconsulting.com/
  
  

Hashtags:
#NonprofitLeadership #BoardDevelopment #ExecutiveDirectors #NonprofitGovernance #NonprofitCouncilPodcast #MissionDriven #NonprofitStrategy

Philanthropy and social entrepreneurship are reshaping how nonprofits, foundations, and businesses create impact. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris speaks with Dr. Paula Cordeiro, global leader in education, philanthropy, and social innovation.

From her decades of experience in education and nonprofit leadership to her work with foundations and microfinance, Paula shares how impact investing, benefit corporations, and social enterprises are shifting the global ecosystem. She explains how collaboration across sectors nonprofit, government, and for-profit creates sustainable solutions, and why philanthropy has the power to be catalytic in addressing today's biggest challenges.

This conversation is a masterclass for nonprofit leaders, foundation boards, and social entrepreneurs who want to harness business practices, philanthropy, and innovation to drive lasting social change.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ What social entrepreneurship really means and how nonprofits and for-profits are blurring sector lines
✅ Why impact investing is reshaping philanthropy and endowments worldwide
✅ How benefit corporations, B Corps, and ESOPs empower employees and communities ✅ Why collaboration and coalitions are the future of philanthropy and nonprofit sustainability

👉 Want templates and step-by-step nonprofit leadership training
→ https://nonprofitcounsel.com/leadership-accelerator

Key Takeaways

🔹 Social entrepreneurship is a global movement—from Ashoka Fellows to Newman's Own and King Arthur Flour
🔹 Philanthropy is catalytic—foundations can lead change by aligning grantmaking with impact investing
🔹 Legal frameworks are evolving—benefit corporations and B Corps open new doors for mission-driven business
🔹 The next generation demands purpose—young professionals choose employers with strong ESG and community values

Episode Timestamps 

• 0:00  Why philanthropy is catalytic for social change

• 1:02  Introducing Dr. Paula Cordeiro

• 1:32  Paula's journey from education to philanthropy and microfinance

• 3:23  What social entrepreneurship really means (Girl Scouts example)

• 5:01  The paradigm shift in nonprofit and business collaboration

• 6:19  Global social entrepreneurship: Ashoka, Skoll Foundation, and beyond

• 7:49  Newman's Own, King Arthur Flour, and examples of social enterprise

• 9:13  Legal frameworks for benefit corporations and the Ben & Jerry's story

• 10:28  Why the ecosystem needs lawyers, accountants, and advisors trained in new business models

• 12:00  How philanthropy has changed over the last 20 years

• 13:25  Impact investing conferences and global networks

• 15:03  Why foundations and universities are adopting ESG-aligned portfolios

• 16:59  Collaboration across nonprofits, corporations, and foundations

• 18:35  Younger generations driving change with conscious consumerism and values-based career

• 21:21 Global examples: employee-owned cooperatives in Rwanda

• 22:40  Paula's 2025 global seminar in San Diego, Spain, and Rwanda

• 25:03  Who should attend: nonprofit leaders, board members, and impact investors

• 26:12 Final thoughts: why social innovation is growing exponentially

Dr. Paula Cordeiro is a globally recognized leader in education, philanthropy, and social innovation. Former Dean at the University of San Diego, she has worked in K–12 education, microfinance, nonprofit leadership, and international philanthropy. She serves on multiple foundation and nonprofit boards and has been deeply involved in impact investing, social entrepreneurship, and benefit corporation development. Today, she mentors the next generation of leaders in USD's Master's in Social Innovation program while continuing to advance global initiatives in philanthropy and sustainability.

Resources and Links

• For Profit Law Group - Website - https://www.fplglaw.com 

• Nonprofit Counsel - Website - https://www.nonprofitcounsel.com/ 

• Paula A. Cordeiro - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-a-cordeiro-9297b96/

• Ashoka: ashoka.org https://www.ashoka.org/en-us

• Skoll Foundation: skoll.org 

• SOCAP Conference: socialcapitalmarkets.net 

• Global Impact Investing Network: thegiin.org
  
  

#SocialEntrepreneurship #ImpactInvesting #Philanthropy #BenefitCorporations #BCorps #NonprofitLeadership #NonprofitCouncilPodcast #Sustainability

Nonprofit leaders know the pain of a strategic plan that ends up as a PDF collecting dust on a shelf. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris sits down with Andrea Ortega, founder and CEO of Ante Nonprofits, to explore how grassroots and scaling organizations can build strategic plans that drive implementation, accountability, and sustainable impact.

Andrea shares her journey from running a nonprofit in Colombia to launching a consulting firm that helps nonprofits transition from working boards to governing boards, leverage technology, and secure grant funding without burning out their teams.

If you've ever struggled with turning your strategic plan into measurable results or wondered how to prepare your board for the next stage of growth this episode is for you.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ How grassroots nonprofits can transition from a working board to a governing board without losing momentum
✅ Why nonprofit strategic planning must be treated as a live document—and how to actually implement it
✅ The role of technology, AI, and tools like Google Workspace in streamlining data, reporting, and grant management
✅ Why funders value measurable outcomes and how to use dashboards, OKRs, and KPIs to prove impact

👉 Want templates and step-by-step nonprofit leadership training
→ https://nonprofitcounsel.com/leadership-accelerator

Episode Timestamps

• 0:00  Why nonprofits often "PDF it and forget about it"

• 1:19  Andrea's journey from Colombia to U.S. nonprofit leadership

• 3:23  Helping grassroots organizations transition into governing boards

• 5:05 Scaling challenges: reporting, risk, and delegation

• 10:00  How technology shifts the nonprofit landscape (AI, Google Workspace, TechSoup)

• 13:07  Common board obstacles in strategic planning

• 16:09  Why 3-year plans work better than 5-year plans post-COVID

• 19:22  Data, dashboards, and building long-term sustainability

• 25:05  Building organizational culture that embraces innovation and learning

• 29:01  Collaboration, coalitions, and competing for donor dollars the right way

• 32:27  Final advice: making your strategic plan a living document

Key Takeaways

🔹 Strategic planning is implementation, not paperwork – the real work begins after the plan is written
🔹 Technology is a capacity builder – using tools nonprofits already have (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zapier) creates efficiency and saves staff time
🔹 Measure what matters – align your reporting and metrics with what funders actually request to strengthen sustainability
🔹 Partnerships beat competition – forming coalitions with other nonprofits increases your chances of grant funding and broader community impact

Guest Bio: Andrea Ortega

Andrea Ortega, PhD Candidate, is the founder and CEO of Ante Nonprofits, a consultancy dedicated to helping nonprofits design strategic plans, secure funding, and build sustainable operations. With a background in engineering and nonprofit leadership, Andrea blends analytical skills with deep sector experience. She specializes in capacity building, board governance, fundraising strategy, and nonprofit technology adoption, guiding organizations from grassroots beginnings to scalable impact.

Resources and Links

• For Profit Law Group - Website - https://www.fplglaw.com

• Nonprofit Counsel - Website - https://www.nonprofitcounsel.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/palante-nonprofits-llc/

#NonprofitLeadership #NonprofitStrategicPlanning #BoardGovernance #NonprofitSustainability #GrantFunding #CapacityBuilding #NonprofitTechnology #NonprofitCouncilPodcast

Making the right hire can make or break a nonprofit. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris speaks with Trevor Blair, principal of Blair Search Partners, about the high cost of a bad hire, the first 90 days, and why human-centered recruiting is the future. From legal foundations and culture to executive search and staff retention, Trevor shares insights on building strong teams, avoiding costly mistakes, and leading with intention.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

• ✅ Why a bad hire can cost 2–5x the candidate's annual salary

• ✅ The importance of the first 90 days for new nonprofit leaders

• ✅ How legal and cultural foundations prepare nonprofits for successful hiring

• ✅ Why human-centered recruiting helps attract and retain top nonprofit talent
  
  

👉 Want templates and step-by-step nonprofit leadership training
→ https://nonprofitcounsel.com/leadership-accelerator

Key Timestamps

• 00:00  Trevor Blair of Blair Search Partners

• 03:02  Executive search tailored for nonprofits

• 05:01  Why nonprofits can't afford not to invest in search

• 08:08  The real cost of a bad hire

• 09:16  The first 90 days: success or failure window

• 12:02  Legal and cultural readiness before hiring

• 17:02  Retention beyond salary: mentoring, flexibility, and culture

• 29:15  Human-centered design in nonprofit recruiting
  
  

Key Takeaways

🔷 Bad hires are expensive – Costs can run 2–5x annual salary when you factor in turnover, productivity loss, and onboarding.
🔷 The first 90 days matter most – Leaders set the tone, build trust, and determine long-term success in this window.
🔷 Culture and mentorship drive retention – Beyond salary, employees value growth opportunities and strong leadership support.
🔷 Human-centered hiring works – Putting candidates at the center builds trust and attracts stronger, more diverse talent.

Guest Bio

Trevor Blair is the principal of Blair Search Partners, an executive search and recruiting firm based in San Diego that works exclusively with nonprofits and public agencies nationwide. Since 2016, Trevor and his team have specialized in helping organizations of all sizes—from startups to multi-billion-dollar agencies—recruit and retain top talent. With a focus on human-centered design, Blair Search Partners ensures that both organizations and candidates thrive in their partnerships.

Resource Links

• Nonprofit Counsel Website
  

• The First 90 Days – Book
  
  

#NonprofitHiring #ExecutiveSearch #NonprofitLeadership #StaffRetention #First90Days #HumanCenteredRecruiting #NonprofitGovernance #TalentAcquisition #NonprofitCouncilPodcast

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅The biggest challenges nonprofit CEOs and executive directors face today
✅Why mastermind groups and peer advisory circles create safe, trusted spaces for leaders
✅The trade-offs of transitioning from corporate to nonprofit leadership
✅How collaboration and partnerships create stronger nonprofits than competition ever could

👉 Want templates and step-by-step nonprofit leadership training
→ https://nonprofitcounsel.com/leadership-accelerator

Key Timestamps

• 01:17  Meet Mike Gellman of High Five Career Coaching

• 03:09  From San Diego Zoo to coaching nonprofit executives

• 05:15  Common challenges nonprofit leaders face

• 08:05  The rise of co-CEOs in nonprofits

• 10:24  Why boards can't always provide full support

• 11:00  The role of nonprofit masterminds

• 15:27  Advice for corporate leaders moving into nonprofits

• 23:20 Partnerships and collaboration across nonprofits
  
  

4 Key Takeaways

• Leadership is lonely – Nonprofit executives juggle pressure from boards, staff, funders, and regulators.
  
  

• Safe spaces matter – Peer advisory groups and mastermind circles provide confidential, trusted support.
  
  

• Corporate to nonprofit transitions bring trade-offs – Less pay, but more impact, freedom, and accelerated growth opportunities.
  
  

• Partnerships build strength – Nonprofits that collaborate achieve stronger results for their communities.
  
  

Guest Bio

Mike Gellman is the founder of High Five Career Coaching, specializing in nonprofit executive coaching, career transitions, and team development. With a background that includes the San Diego Zoo, Father Joe's Villages, and Fortune 500 corporations, Mike brings deep experience in leadership development and nonprofit governance. His nonprofit mastermind groups provide a supportive space for CEOs and executive directors seeking growth, clarity, and confidence.

• https://blairsearchpartners.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-blair

• For Profit Law Group - Website - https://www.fplglaw.com

• Nonprofit Counsel - Website - https://www.nonprofitcounsel.com/

Tags

#NonprofitLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #NonprofitGovernance #NonprofitMastermind #LeadershipDevelopment #NonprofitCouncilPodcast

Starting or running a nonprofit? Understanding the difference between public charities and private foundations is critical for compliance, fundraising, and long-term impact. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris sits down with attorney Danika Mendrygal, founder of Mendrygal Law, to unpack nonprofit law essentials, IRS pitfalls, and practical compliance strategies for leaders navigating governance and fundraising across state lines.

• ✅ The key differences between public charities and private foundations, and why they matter

• ✅ The risks of misclassifying your nonprofit and the pitfalls of the IRS 1023-EZ form

• ✅ Why state-by-state fundraising compliance is complex—and how to avoid costly mistakes

• ✅ Practical tips for new private foundations on avoiding related-party rule violations
  
  

👉 Want templates and step-by-step nonprofit leadership training
→ https://nonprofitcounsel.com/leadership-accelerator

Key Timestamps

• 00:00  Meet Danika Mendrygal, founder of Mendrygal Law

• 02:10  From pro bono assignments to exempt organizations law

• 06:14  Why nonprofits are moving from California to Texas

• 10:02  The high costs of unnecessary state registrations

• 14:00  Understanding public charities vs. private foundations

• 16:35  The dangers of the IRS 1023-EZ form

• 22:03  Key compliance tips for private foundations

• 30:20  Why nonprofit leaders must prioritize communication with their attorneys

• 32:25  Trusted IRS and state attorney general resources
  
  

Key Takeaways 

🔷 Classification matters – Public charities and private foundations face very different compliance rules under nonprofit law.
🔷 IRS shortcuts can backfire – The 1023-EZ "let the IRS decide" option is risky.

🔷 State compliance is not one-size-fits-all – Every state has unique rules, so governance and registration decisions must be made carefully.
🔷 Communication saves money – Talking with your attorney before major changes ensures compliance with nonprofit law and avoids costly mistakes.

Guest Bio

Danika Mendrygal is the founder and CEO of Mendrygal Law, PLLC, a boutique Dallas-based firm serving nonprofits throughout Texas. With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit law and exempt organizations, she has built a women-led team advising private foundations, public charities, and mission-driven organizations on compliance, fundraising, and governance best practices.

Resource Links

• For Profit Law Group - Website - https://www.fplglaw.com

• Nonprofit Counsel - Website - https://www.nonprofitcounsel.com/

• Mendrygal Law - Website - https://mendrygallaw.com/

• Danika Mendrygal - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmendrygal

#NonprofitLaw #NonprofitCompliance #PrivateFoundations #PublicCharities #NonprofitLeadership #FundraisingCompliance #NonprofitCouncilPodcast

Nonprofit law and compliance get real in this deep dive on Form 990, Schedule A vs public support, Schedule O storytelling, private foundation mixups, UBIT and 990-T, gift acceptance, and board governance.

If you work with a nonprofit board or run a charity, this convo is your crash course on Form 990 and the policies that keep you compliant and funder-ready. May L. Harris, Esq. interviews Genevra Williams, a Texas nonprofit attorney, about what smart orgs highlight on page one, how to sanity-check Schedule A for public support status, when to use Schedule O to tell your impact story, and the sleeper policies that save you from audits and awkward donor gifts. We also hit common filing paths 990-N, 990-EZ, 990, 990-PF, and why churches still file 990-T when there is unrelated business income. Funders read your 990. Make it tight.

✅ How to read and leverage page one of Form 990 to impress funders
✅ How to spot Schedule A red flags and confirm your public charity status before it slips
✅ Why Schedule O is prime space to narrate outcomes and governance practices funders care about
✅ The must-have policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention, gift acceptance, and accountable reimbursement

 Want templates and step-by-step nonprofit leadership training
→ https://nonprofitcounsel.com/leadership-accelerator

• 00:00 Intro and why Form 990 is a goldmine for diligence and grants

• 01:00 Genevra's path from data modeling to nonprofit law and foundation work in Dallas

• 03:39 Form 990 overhaul and why analysts love the added transparency

• 06:38 What funders scan on page one and in program accomplishments

• 07:21 Governance signals funders notice, independent directors and accuracy cues

• 08:03 Schedule A pitfalls, disqualified persons, support percentages, wrong subtype checked

• 10:24 Why boards should review the 990 before filing and avoid "bobblehead board" vibes

• 13:53 Three core policies asked on the full 990, conflict, whistleblower, document retention

• 15:06 Two more clutch policies, gift acceptance and accountable reimbursement

• 17:09 Year-end tune-ups to prep for smooth tax reporting next cycle

• 18:05 990 filing tiers,990-N, 990-EZ, 990, and 990-PF explained in plain English

• 19:25 Tracking support now so you do not fail the public support test later

• 21:21 When a DIY 1023 accidentally checks "private foundation" and how to fix it fast

• 24:38 Churches and religious orgs, when UBIT triggers 990-T filing anyway

• 25:55 Close and where to get help and tools

🔷 Page one plus Schedule O is your public narrative. Treat it like prime real estate for funders and donors.
🔷 Schedule A accuracy is mission critical. Validate your support calc annually so you do not drift out of public charity status.
🔷 Policies are protection. Conflict, whistleblower, document retention, gift acceptance, and accountable reimbursement keep governance clean and audits chill.
🔷 Filing class matters. Know when you are 990-N, 990-EZ, 990, 990-PF, and when UBIT means 990-T, even for churches.

Genevra Williams  Nonprofit attorney based in Texas who blends data chops with exempt-org expertise. Her lens: use Form 990 strategically to attract grants, signal strong governance, and stay compliant.

• For Profit Law Group - Website - https://www.fplglaw.com

• Nonprofit Counsel - Website - https://www.nonprofitcounsel.com/
  
  

#NonprofitLaw #Form990 #BoardGovernance #PublicSupport #NonprofitCompliance #UBIT #NonprofitPodcast