Nonprofit Utopia Podcast
Formerly known as Nonprofit ”U”, the Nonprofit Utopia podcast is an extension of the ideal community for emerging nonprofit leaders. We use our podcast as an online forum where nonprofit stakeholders can discuss the latest developments in the sector and increase their capacity to serve their clients and build sustainable communities. Valerie F. Leonard, an expert in community and organizational development is the host. Topics include nonprofit management, community development, capacity building and organizational development.
Episodes

Monday Mar 03, 2025
Nonprofit Fork In the Road: Navigating the Trump-Musk Policy Maze
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has had far-reaching consequences for the nonprofit sector, as many organizations rely on federal funding, regulatory stability, and government partnerships to fulfill their missions. With mass layoffs, budget cuts, and policy shifts under DOGE, nonprofits are facing significant challenges. Join us for an enlightening conversation on the impact of DOGE on nonprofits, and how they can pivot for success in this current environment.

Tuesday Jun 11, 2024
Tuesday Jun 11, 2024
Did you know that tax-exempt organizations are 2 times more likely than tax payers to be late with filing annual returns with the IRS? According to the IRS, there are about 2.95 million registered nonprofit organizations in the United States. Of this number, 1.065 million registered organizations, or 36%, lost their tax exempt status because they didn’t file Form 990 for three years in a row. While the remaining 1.88 million registered organizations are still eligible to receive tax-exempt contributions there is a strong likelihood that they still may have compliance issues. In comparison, about 85% of individual and corporate taxpayers file their income taxes (Form 1040) on time. Filing annual 990’s with the IRS is only one piece of the compliance puzzle. You also have to follow your organization’s own policies and procedures, and funders’ grant agreements. On top of that, you should be concerned with following federal and local regulations and maintaining transparency with the public. The consequences of noncompliance include strained relationships with funders and regulators; loss of funding; loss of standing with your clients and community; difficulty attracting funding; loss of tax-exempt status; tax liabilities and paying penalties and interest. I have found in my experience that all roads lead to compliance. It doesn’t matter what the assignment involves—program development, strategic planning, board development—or what have you. At one time or another we are all confronted with compliance issues and challenges. I will share a checklist of the filings that Illinois nonprofits need to maintain compliance. Be sure to check with your own state’s requirements and consult an attorney if needed..
Let us help you bring your filings current. https://nonprofit-utopia.teachable.co...
Check out our blog post here https://nonprofitutopia.com/just-chec...
Download a complimentary copy of "31 Questions You Need to Answer Before Starting A Nonprofit https://nonprofit-utopia.lpages.co/qu...
Download a complimentary copy of "Nonprofit Resource Mapping On Steroids" https://nonprofit-utopia.lpages.co/no...
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Friday Oct 28, 2022
Friday Oct 28, 2022
Often called the personality of an organization, organizational culture is a shared set of workplace beliefs, values, attitudes, standards, purposes, and behaviors. It reflects both the written and unwritten rules that people in an organization follow. Your organization’s culture is the sum of all that you and your colleagues think, say, and do as you work together. If that sounds important, it is. (Bamboo HR)
For our purposes, when we speak of toxic nonprofit cultures, we are speaking of environments that stifle creativity and productivity, and prevents organizations from making the maximum impact on clients and the communities they serve. We will talk about 12 signs that your nonprofit's culture is toxic, and strategies you can use to make improvements.

Friday Oct 28, 2022
Developing Employee Handbooks That Create Win-Win Situations for Nonprofits
Friday Oct 28, 2022
Friday Oct 28, 2022
The nonprofit employee handbook can be used to support operations, communicate benefits and other employment retention policies and minimize risks that might arise from lawsuits and failure to comply with state and federal regulators. We will show you how to develop an employee handbook, what should go into it, and refer you to professionals who can review your finished product. If you are a member of the Nonprofit Utopia community, we will share templates and free and low-cost resources you can use to develop employee handbooks that create winning situations for your organization's board and staff.

What Critical Questions Should You Ask Before Starting A Nonprofit?
Download our FREE workbook to help you and your team find out critical questions you should ask yourselves before starting a new nonprofit, and how to proceed. Use your answers to decide whether or not to start a new organization and how to lay a strong foundation if you decide to move forward. https://nonprofit-utopia.lpages.co/questions-you-need-to-ask-before-starting-a-nonprofit/