In the season finale of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Erin Bradrick, an attorney and principal at NEO Law Group, to dive deep into the complexities and challenges facing nonprofits today. Erin Bradrick shares her personal journey from litigator to nonprofit legal expert and offers practical advice for nonprofit leaders—especially for those just getting started or looking to strengthen compliance practices.
The discussion covers critical differences between for-profit and nonprofit legal requirements, the layers of compliance nonprofits face, and the increasing pressure many organizations feel around risk mitigation. Erin Bradrick unpacks what compliance means in practical terms, why nonprofits often face greater regulation than their for-profit counterparts, and how recent trends—such as heightened regulatory scrutiny and looming legislative threats—are impacting the sector.
The conversation also tackles hot topics like donor-advised funds (DAFs), the evolving landscape of big philanthropy, and the importance of nonprofits staying mission-focused amid uncertainty. Listeners will leave with actionable insights on maintaining organizational integrity, preparing for regulatory changes, and harnessing the power of collaboration within the nonprofit community.
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Intro & Erin’s Background
03:49 Leap of faith into law
09:23 Starting a nonprofit key considerations
11:27 Charity Compliance Requirements Overview
15:08 State AGs Charity Regulation Trends
18:29 Nonprofits Balancing Risk and Mission
21:21 Nonprofit Resource Allocation Challenges
26:09 IRS Data-Driven Audit System
28:37 Algorithm Transparency and Bias Concerns
33:31 Nonprofits Mission Over Entity
37:21 Nonprofit leadership and philanthropy concerns
39:13 DEI Order Targets Foundations
42:19 Nonprofit Foundation Rules Explained
44:26 Donor Advised Fund Nuances
50:12 DAF Donor Considerations Summarized
51:30 Nonprofit Legal Compliance Expertise