Charitable Allies

05/29/2026

Most people think you need a 501(c)(3) before you can raise a single grant dollar.

That is not true.

Gavin Funkhouser of Fiscal Sponsorship Allies breaks down how fiscal sponsorship works as a legal bridge, letting mission-driven organizations accept tax-deductible donations and apply for grants before completing the IRS process.

You bring the idea.

The fiscal sponsor covers the compliance umbrella.

It is one of the most underused tools in the nonprofit space, and it could save your organization months of lost momentum.

Watch the full episode to learn if it is right for you: https://youtu.be/v1GvAESBy1k

05/27/2026

Most founders think they need 501(c)(3) status before they can start raising money.

In this episode of 501c Suite, Olivia Froedge and Gavin Funkhouser break down how fiscal sponsorship works and why it can help mission-driven organizations accept grants and donations before completing the IRS process.

Share it with a founder, nonprofit startup, or community initiative exploring their next step.

▶️ Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/v1GvAESBy1k

Most founders assume they need 501(c)(3) status before they can raise a single grant dollar. But there is a legal pathway that changes everything. Fiscal spo...

05/21/2026

A nonprofit’s first hire is not just an HR step.

It is a governance decision.

Olivia Froedge explains a detail many founders miss: the board should formally vote on the role, the compensation, and the person being hired.

That clarity matters because it protects the organization, reduces confusion, and creates a clean record of how the decision was made.

For nonprofits trying to grow the right way, this is one of those small process steps that can prevent much bigger problems later.

Good governance is not red tape. It is mission protection in action.

Watch the full episode to learn how to do it the right way.

https://youtu.be/Kjz-hRYH0DE

05/19/2026

Hiring your first employee should not be a guess or a gut feeling.

Olivia Froedge gives nonprofit leaders a simple framework they can actually use: work, money, and support.

Is there enough meaningful work? Is the funding sustainable? Will this person have the backing they need to succeed without burning out?

These three questions can save a nonprofit from hiring too early, under-supporting a new leader, or creating pressure the organization is not ready to carry.

This is a practical decision-making tool every founder, executive director, and board chair should hear before making that first hire.

Watch the full episode for the complete framework and practical steps. https://youtu.be/Kjz-hRYH0DE

05/15/2026

A lot of nonprofit leaders budget for salary and forget the rest.

That is where hiring gets risky.

In this episode, Olivia Froedge breaks down one of the most important realities of nonprofit staffing: payroll taxes, benefits, and related costs can push the real price of a hire far above the number on the offer letter.

If your organization is thinking about bringing on its first employee, this is the kind of math you need to do before making the leap.

It is not about fear. It is about building responsibly, protecting the mission, and making sure a new hire is set up to stay.

Watch the full episode to understand the real costs, common mistakes, and how to plan the hire responsibly.

https://youtu.be/Kjz-hRYH0DE

05/13/2026

Hiring too early can strain a nonprofit, but waiting too long can slow the mission down.

In this episode of 501c Suite, Olivia Froedge breaks down how nonprofits can know when it is truly time to hire their first employee and what leaders need to consider before making the leap.

Share it with a nonprofit founder, executive director, or board member preparing to grow.

▶️ Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/Kjz-hRYH0DE

Hiring too early can strain a nonprofit, but waiting too long can stall the mission. In this episode, host Olivia Froedge breaks down how nonprofits can tell...

05/11/2026

Many nonprofit leaders know lobbying is limited, but far fewer know there are actually two different ways those limits can be measured.

That matters because one path is more subjective, while the other gives clearer boundaries.

In this episode, Katie Buckner starts breaking down the substantial part test and why it creates uncertainty for organizations trying to stay compliant.

This is the kind of legal detail that can shape your advocacy strategy, budgeting, and risk tolerance.

Watch the full episode to understand the lobbying tests nonprofits need to know and how to choose the approach that fits your organization best.
https://youtu.be/voUdVp2iDDE

05/08/2026

This is one of those nonprofit gray areas that sounds simple until it isn’t.

A current officeholder might seem like a great fit for your event, especially if they bring visibility or fundraising power.

But in an active campaign season, one small comment can change the legal character of the entire event.

Katie Buckner lays out why this gets risky fast and why intention is not the same thing as compliance.

If your team has ever thought about inviting a politician, candidate, or public official to speak, this clip is the warning and the framework you need before you move forward.

Watch the full episode before inviting any politician or candidate to your event because one small mistake can create a much bigger compliance issue.
https://youtu.be/voUdVp2iDDE

05/01/2026

A lot of nonprofit leaders think the rule is simple: either you can talk to lawmakers or you can’t.

It’s not that simple.

Katie Buckner explains the real distinction: a 501(c)(3) can talk about issues, priorities, and the kind of policy change it wants to see, but once the conversation turns into support for a specific bill with the actual legislator voting on it, the compliance picture changes.

This is where well-meaning advocacy can quietly become a legal risk.

If your organization speaks up on public policy, this clip gives you one of the clearest explanations of where that line starts to matter.

Watch the full episode for a clearer breakdown of where nonprofit advocacy crosses into lobbying and how to stay on the right side of that line.
https://youtu.be/voUdVp2iDDE

04/30/2026

Board conflict is uncomfortable. But removal is not a personality decision.

It’s a legal process.

Robert outlines the order of operations: check state law, review your bylaws, provide notice where required, document the meeting, and follow the voting threshold your organization committed to.

The takeaway isn’t speed; its structure.

Governance protects the mission when emotions run high.

Facing a tough board situation?

Watch the full Ask an Attorney episode for the full governance breakdown. https://youtu.be/acpIn2GtwRI