121: You’re not a (Dill Pickle) Lemonade Stand | Founders’ Rights in Nonprofit Organizations

Charity Therapy

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.

In this episode, you will hear:

• 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

Resources from this Episode

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

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Facebook page: www.facebook.com/birkenlaw

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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.