Ellen Everitt

Board Conflict at Your Nonprofit: How to Manage It Before It Manages You

05/29/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Conflict in the boardroom is inevitable—but unmanaged conflict can fracture relationships, weaken governance, and distract from the mission. This session offers practical guidance, grounded in board fiduciary duties, on managing disputes effectively. The session explores distinguishing productive disagreement from harmful conflict, clarifying roles between the board and Executive Director, the board chair’s role in guiding difficult …

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Contract Strategy and Management for Your Nonprofit

05/27/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Part II of a Two-Part Series on How Nonprofits Can Set Up A Practical Contract Review & Management System Nonprofits deal with a wide range of contracts, from short-term MOUs to major mission-critical agreements. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, we will embark on part two of a two-part series on managing nonprofit contracts. Join us …

Accepting Cryptocurrency Donations

05/27/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Cryptocurrency isn’t just for tech giants — small nonprofits can benefit too. Crypto giving has become more common in recent years, as more individuals invest in virtual currency and seek to take advantage of the tax benefits of donating appreciated assets. When a nonprofit organization accepts cryptocurrency donations, it can potentially increase major gifts to the …

Personal Relationships in the Workplace: Understanding and Minimizing the Risks

05/27/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Workplaces are built on relationships. Some personal relationships, such as office romances or hiring family members, come with more risks than others. In this webcast, we’ll cover key legal considerations, policy best practices, and real-world strategies to protect your mission, your people, and your organization. Speaker: Marsha Ambroise, Senior Claim Director, Chubb View our slides …

Before You Sign: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Contract Review

04/28/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Part I of a Two-Part Series on How Nonprofits Can Set Up A Practical Contract Review & Management Strategy Your nonprofit just received a long contract from a new vendor. You’re excited about this new relationship — but before you sign, you find yourself wondering: “Should I review this whole document? Can I just focus on a …

Small Form I-9 Mistakes Could Become a Lot More Costly

04/20/2026 by Ellen Everitt

In a quiet but significant regulatory change, ICE has reclassified certain Form I-9 errors. Deficiencies identified in an ICE audit that were previously treated as minor clerical issues are now “substantive” violations that can trigger financial penalties. Here’s a concrete example: a missing date on an I-9, something that used to be correctable within a …

Recent Executive Actions on Public Sector Loan Forgiveness and “Political Violence” Signal Shift in Scrutiny of Nonprofits

04/02/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Recent executive orders and presidential memorandums reflect a shift in policy priorities that could indirectly affect §501(c)(3) organizations — particularly those engaged in advocacy, policy work, or educational activities. Though these directives do not have the legal authority to revoke tax-exempt status on their own, they may signal greater scrutiny ahead. This article takes a …

How Will a Georgia Nonprofit Organization Be Affected if its 501(c)(3) Status is Revoked?

03/30/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Many nonprofit organizations are concerned that they may face increased federal government scrutiny of their tax-exempt status. There have been a number of recent executive orders and presidential memorandums that could impact how organizations are viewed by federal agencies. These developments may place some nonprofits at greater risk of audits which, in the most severe …

Lessons from the Flipcause Bankruptcy: What Nonprofits Should Know Before Choosing a Donation Platform

03/30/2026 by Ellen Everitt

In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, we take a closer look at the recent bankruptcy of Flipcause and what it means for the nonprofit community. Join our conversation with attorney John Mills and nonprofit executive director Erin Campbell to unpack what happened, how nonprofits were impacted, and the lessons learned. We’ll also discuss practical …

Protecting Your Mission: A Nonprofit Guide to Insurance

03/25/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Insurance premiums can be a significant expense for nonprofits and the wrong coverage can leave your organization exposed to serious risk. In this webcast attorney Christopher Neill and inusrance underwriter Floy Daughtery will walk through the types of insurance policies most commonly purchased by nonprofits, what they cover, and best practices for keeping premiums manageable. …

Structuring Board Committees for Success: Legal and Practical Advice

02/26/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Board committees are a powerful but sometimes misunderstood tool of nonprofit governance. For board members of small nonprofits, committees can drive focus, accountability, and strategic impact – when they’re set up correctly. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Jared Brandman with National Vision will break down what board committees do, how to structure them …

Work-From-Home As an ADA Accommodation

02/25/2026 by Ellen Everitt

As more organizations seek to return to in-person work, requests for remote work as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA are on the rise. This article from Bradley Arant Boult Cummings outlines an employer’s obligations when an employee seeks to work remotely due to a qualifying disability and explains how to evaluate whether in-person attendance …

From 2FA to AI Notetakers: A Practical Privacy Guide for Small Nonprofits

02/18/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Small nonprofits handle sensitive donor, employee, and client information every day—often without a dedicated IT staff member. This presentation walks nonprofit leaders through the essential building blocks of good cyber hygiene and data privacy. Attendees will learn key legal obligations and best practices for protecting data, including safe data storage, employee training, and password security. …

Renovation Without Regret: Minimizing Risk With Construction Contractors

01/26/2026 by Ellen Everitt

For many small nonprofits, building and facilities work can be both exciting and risky, often involving tight budgets, volunteer boards, and unfamiliar contracts. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Mackenzie Bell with The Home Depot shares practical risk management strategies nonprofits can use both before a project begins and when problems arise. Episode Transcript

A Board Member’s Guide to Reviewing the IRS Form 990

01/23/2026 by Ellen Everitt

Did you know the IRS asks whether your nonprofit provided a complete copy of its Form 990 to every board member before filing? Reviewing the Form 990 isn’t just a formality—it’s a key part of a board member’s fiduciary duty of care. This guide helps board members understand what to look for, why the Form …

Will Your Organization Have to Reduce Its Workforce?

12/22/2025 by Ellen Everitt

In 2026, nonprofits may face fundraising challenges that threaten operational sustainability. In some cases, this could lead to the difficult decision to reduce staff. When workforce reductions become necessary, nonprofits must carefully plan each step, make informed decisions, and ensure compliance with all applicable legal requirements.

Lessons from 2025 to Navigate 2026

12/22/2025 by Ellen Everitt

2025 was a challenging year for many nonprofit organizations, marked by uncertainty and funding changes driven by shifts in the federal landscape. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, we’re revisiting some of our most popular episodes from the past year—because the unique trends and concerns that emerged in 2025 will continue to impact the …

Keeping the Record Straight: Best Practices for Nonprofit Board Minutes

12/08/2025 by Ellen Everitt

Board minutes are more than a formality—they’re a vital part of a nonprofit’s legal and governance record. In this webinar, we will walk through the dos and don’ts of documenting board meetings, from what to include (and what to leave out) to how long to keep the recorded minutes. Join us as Mollie Blase with Alson …

Expanding Into Georgia? A Guide for State Registration Requirements

11/19/2025 by Ellen Everitt

Nonprofit organizations expanding their operations beyond their state of incorporation may be subject to the new state’s business registration requirements. Nonprofit leaders should understand this requirement because there are penalties if the business entity doesn’t comply. The general rule is that “foreign” nonprofits (nonprofits incorporated in one state that seek to do business in another …

Nonprofit Collaborations: Legal Considerations & Best Practices

11/19/2025 by Ellen Everitt

Collaborating with other nonprofits can be a powerful way to stretch limited resources and amplify impact. By pooling expertise, staff time or funding, partnerships can help organizations do more with less. But successful collaboration doesn’t happen by accident. It requires clear expectations and defined roles from the start. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, …

Ex Officio Directors in Georgia Nonprofit Corporations

10/27/2025 by Ellen Everitt

Building a strong board is essential for any nonprofit—and integrating an ex officio director offers both promise and complexity. This article by Alex Godwin with Novelis North America explores what it means to appoint an ex officio director under Georgia law and provides a practical roadmap to ensure ex officio appointments enhance, rather than hinder, …

Raising a Glass, Responsibly: Legal Considerations for Nonprofits Serving Alcohol at Events

10/13/2025 by Ellen Everitt

Providers of alcohol, even as a nonprofit hosting a special event, may need to apply for an alcohol license. Before you pour at your next event, make sure you understand Georgia’s alcohol laws and what they mean for your nonprofit. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Rich Glaze breaks down the alcohol licensing process, caterer …

Navigating a Federal Shutdown: What Nonprofits with Government Contracts Should Know

10/03/2025 by Ellen Everitt

Now there is one more wrinkle for federal contractors and grant recipients to navigate in 2025: the federal government shutdown. If your nonprofit is uncertain about its rights and responsibilities during this government shutdown, this article from Kilpatrick provides some helpful guidance for federal contractors and grant recipients.

Opportunity or Hazard: What Nonprofits Need to Know About Acquiring Polluted Properties

10/01/2025 by Ellen Everitt

Is your nonprofit considering the purchase of a brownfield site (a property that may have environmental contamination from past industrial or commercial use)? Whether you’re drawn by the potential for mission-driven community impact, a prime location, or an attractive price, it’s essential to understand the legal and practical implications before moving forward. Join us as we …