501c Suite

Most nonprofit teams are not struggling because of bad intentions. They are struggling because no one is clearly saying what needs to be said. In this episode, Olivia Froedge of Charitable Allies explains why consistent, clear feedback is one of the most practical tools nonprofit leaders have to strengthen performance, reduce confusion, and protect their organization from unnecessary risk. Through...

Most nonprofit leaders do not realize how vulnerable their organization is until one preventable incident puts the entire mission at risk. In this episode of 501c Suite, Olivia Froedge talks with Quentin Collins , Director of Volunteer Operations at Trout Unlimited , about how nonprofit leaders can think more clearly and proactively about risk management before something goes wrong. Using real exa...

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 sponsorship allows mission-driven organizations to accept tax-deductible donations and apply for grants, long before completing the IRS process, and understanding how it works can save emerging nonprofits months of lost momentum. In this episode,...

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 when it’s truly time to hire their first employee. She explains the three key factors to evaluate before making the leap: work, money, and support, then walks through what hiring actually looks like in practice, from compensation research and...

Political activity is one of the easiest places for nonprofits to get confused and one of the riskiest places to get it wrong. In this episode, Olivia Froedge is joined by Katie Buckner, nonprofit attorney at Charitable Allies, to break down what 501(c)(3) organizations can and cannot do in election years, from voter education and lobbying to candidate involvement, issue advocacy, and the differen...

Most nonprofit challenges don’t start with bad intentions. They start with unanswered questions. In this “Ask an Attorney” episode from 501c Suite, Olivia Froedge is joined by Robert Miller , Managing Attorney at Charitable Allies , to answer real questions submitted by nonprofit leaders navigating revenue, compliance, and governance decisions. From selling products and charging for services to do...

Most nonprofit problems don’t start with bad intentions; they just don't have all the information they need. In this episode, Olivia Cloer is joined by Will Gay , a Nonprofit Compliance Coordinator at Charitable Allies , to walk new nonprofit leaders through the most common early mistakes and how to prevent them, from skipping a real community needs assessment to setting vague goals, overlooking a...

In this episode of 501 C Suite, Olivia from Charitable Allies breaks down the four core board officer roles: board treasurer, secretary, president or chair, and vice chair, and explains how those roles look different in small versus larger nonprofits. Drawing from real world nonprofit experience, she walks through fiduciary duty, financial reports, meeting minutes, bylaws compliance, board conflic...

Starting a nonprofit can feel confusing, so this episode walks through each legal step in simple, practical terms. Olivia explains how to start a nonprofit the right way, how to file for 501c3 status, and how to avoid the mistakes that slow down new founders. You will learn the full process from incorporation through tax exemption, how to prepare core documents, and how state fundraising rules wor...

In this special episode of 501C Suite , Interim CEO Olivia Cloer and managing attorney Robert Miller walk through a real-world nonprofit case involving a youth organization that was shut down after regulators uncovered widespread misuse of charitable funds. What began as a candy-selling fundraiser for at-risk youth led to multi-state investigations, lifetime bans on fundraising, and allegations ti...

This episode explains how nonprofits can stay in good standing with the IRS and what to do if 501c3 status is revoked. You will learn how to choose the right IRS Form 990, understand state annual report rules, and know when charitable solicitation registration is required. The conversation also covers the difference between retroactive and postmark reinstatement, how to use forms 1023 and 1023 EZ,...

In this episode, Olivia Cloer and nonprofit attorney Spencer Rehn walk through the three core legal duties that apply to every nonprofit board. You will learn how the duties of care, loyalty, and obedience work in real organisations, what state law expects from board members, and how your bylaws guide everyday decisions. The conversation explains why staying informed matters, how to manage conflic...

Is your nonprofit’s board running on outdated bylaws or none at all? In this episode of 501c Suite , Olivia Cloer from Charitable Allies sits down with Robert Miller, an experienced nonprofit attorney, to make governance feel simple and actionable. They unpack what truly belongs in your bylaws, how to set smart term limits and meeting rules, and why flexibility beats overcomplication. You will hea...

There’s enough bad news in the nonprofit world; this podcast brings the good. In the debut episode of 501c Suite , host Olivia Cloer , Interim CEO of Charitable Allies , introduces a space where nonprofit leaders can finally get clear, trusted legal guidance without the jargon or fear. Drawing on her experience in fundraising, governance, and direct service, Olivia explains how legal clarity helps...

501c Suite is where nonprofit law meets real-world leadership. Hosted by Olivia Cloer , Interim CEO of Charitable Allies , this podcast empowers nonprofit founders, executive directors, and board members with accessible, actionable legal education and inspiring stories from the field. Each episode breaks down the legal and operational challenges nonprofits face — from bylaws and board governance t...