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Charity TherapyAuthor: Jess Birken, MNM, JD
What if you could hang out with experienced nonprofit professionals and ask them your burning questions about the day-to-day life of nonprofits? What if you could take their wisdom and bring it back to your organization, for free? That's what we do on Charity Therapy. Hosted by Jess Birken - owner and lawyer at Birken Law Office. Every episode is an in-depth look at how to run a nonprofit, from fundraising to IRS woes to people problems and more! Our goal is to empower nonprofits to achieve your mission by doing things right. Language: en Genres: Business, Management, Non-Profit Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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169: Different Flavors, Same Ice Cream | How Can a Nonprofit Organization Offer Retirement Benefits? with Christopher Tipper
Episode 169
Thursday, 23 July, 2026
Your nonprofit is doing well, but you're worried you'll lose good employees if you don't offer retirement benefits. You've heard of a 401(k), but is that the right move? I'm joined by Christopher Tipper of Hunter Benefits Consulting Group to break down retirement benefit options for small nonprofits. Christopher helps us wade through the alphabet soup of 403(b)s, 401(k)s, and simple IRAs. Real Listener Question: "I'm an Executive Director of a small org, and I've been advocating to my board that it's time to offer more benefits, including a 401(k). I realize it's a selfish ask since I'd benefit too, but I think it would help us recruit and retain good people. I started researching and I'm already in over my head. How do I even begin?" Christopher and I walk through the retirement plan options that actually make sense for small nonprofits, why the 401(k) isn't always the best fit, and what the ED needs to know before pitching this to their board. What You'll Learn: What retirement plan options nonprofits can consider and which ones actually make sense Why a simple IRA might be the easiest and cheapest option for small orgs What a 403(b) is and why only 501(c)(3) organizations can offer one Why the "highly compensated employee" definition is not what you think it is What compliance really costs and what to budget per eligible employee Why AI is genuinely dangerous for retirement plan advice Bottom line: If you're the ED asking whether it's a conflict of interest to advocate for retirement benefits, stop worrying. The board decides. Your job is to make the case, not to feel guilty about being included. Resources from this Episode Learn about Christopher Tipper's firm at https://hunterbenefits.com/ Watch Christopher's videos: https://www.youtube.com/@Hunter_Benefits Previous Episode: https://birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct168-flat-org-structre-pablo-otaola Episode Transcript: https://birkenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CT169_Transcript.pdf Connect with Us Jess Birken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbirken/ Christopher Tipper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophertipper/ Listen & Engage Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Click "Ratings and Reviews" then "Write a Review" Send us your nonprofit questions: https://birkenlaw.com/podcast/#podcast-story Stay Connected Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
