Posts Categorized: Nonprofits

Trademark vs. Copyright for Nonprofits: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

September 25, 2026 Posted by socialspicemedia in Non-profits, Nonprofits

Nonprofits spend years building recognition around their names, programs, educational materials, fundraising campaigns, and other creative work. Yet intellectual property is often overlooked until another organization begins using something that looks or sounds surprisingly familiar.  Two of the most important forms of intellectual property protection for nonprofits are trademarks and copyrights. Although the terms are …

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Charitable Registration Compliance: How to Stay Legal When Fundraising in All 50 States 

One of the biggest advantages nonprofits have today is the ability to reach donors well beyond their local communities. A small organization can launch an online fundraising campaign, share it on social media, and begin receiving donations from supporters across the country within hours.  What many nonprofits don’t realize is that fundraising across state lines …

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Inside Nonprofit CEO Pay: Balancing Fairness and Compliance

October 30, 2025 Posted by socialspicemedia in Compensation, Employment Matters, Nonprofits

Compensation for nonprofit executives, especially CEOs, is one of the most scrutinized aspects of nonprofit governance. While nonprofit organizations are mission-driven and tax-exempt, they still operate in a competitive market for leadership talent. The IRS allows nonprofits to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, but the line between “reasonable” and “excessive” can be narrow. For …

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Sunsetting Private Foundations: Legal Considerations and Strategic Steps

September 4, 2025 Posted by Casey Summar in Fundraising, Nonprofits
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Private foundations are often established with the intention of existing in perpetuity, distributing annual grants to support charitable causes. Yet in recent years, many foundations have chosen to take a different path, “sunsetting,” also known as “spending down.” Instead of preserving assets indefinitely, sunsetting foundations commit to distributing all of their assets within a defined …

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Pros and Cons of Seeking IRS Recognition of 501(c)(3) Status for Churches

July 22, 2025 Posted by Casey Summar in IRS, Nonprofits
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For many churches, the question of whether to formally seek 501(c)(3) status with the IRS is a pivotal one. While churches are automatically considered tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) and are not required to obtain IRS recognition of exemption, some choose to apply anyway, seeking added legitimacy or access to certain benefits. However, obtaining an IRS …

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A Roadmap Through the Latest Executive Orders and How to Respond

July 3, 2025 Posted by Casey Summar in Board, News, Nonprofits

Since January 20, 2025, President Trump has issued over 150 Executive Orders (EOs). This post seeks to provide an understanding of EOs generally, resources to monitor the EOs that are most relevant to nonprofits, and recommendations for what actions nonprofits should be taking in response. What Is an Executive Order? First, let’s level set: What …

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