You’ve gone through the process, secured your trademark, and now you’ve got that official ® next to your name—but what comes next? What do you need to do to keep your trademark active and protected? In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Vijay Nenmeni with Cox Enterprises will talk about the key deadlines you can’t afford to miss, how to monitor for infringement, and what ongoing steps nonprofits should take to ensure their trademark remains a valuable asset.

For organizations whose missions are rooted in uplifting marginalized communities, the language of DEI isn’t just branding—it’s a reflection of their values and history. But as recent executive orders from the federal government explicitly target DEI language, some nonprofits are wondering: Should we revise our messaging? Could certain language expose us to legal or funding risks? How do we minimize organizational risk while staying aligned with our mission? In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, attorney Kristina Griffin with Hall, Gilligan, Roberts and Shanlever will be sharing her insight and expertise to help nonprofits navigate these important questions and more.

The term “furlough” often pops up in the news during times of economic uncertainty—but what does it actually mean, and how does it differ from a layoff? In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, we explore the key distinctions between furloughs and layoffs to help nonprofit organizations understand these temporary downsizing possibilities. Emily Borna with Jackon Lewis joins us to break down the nuances of each option, including potential legal risks and compliance considerations that employers should keep in mind.

As a nonprofit, understanding how to respond to an unemployment claim is crucial not only to protect your organization's finances but also to ensure you are in compliance with Georgia law. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Wayne Cartwright with Hall, Gilligan, Roberts & Shanlever walks you through the steps to take when you receive an unemployment claim, how to assess the special factors at play for nonprofits, and what to consider if you’re thinking about challenging a claim. Whether you're new to this process or looking to brush up on best practices, this episode is designed to equip you with the knowledge you need to respond to unemployment claims.

With the constant stream of news coming out of Washington, it can feel overwhelming to keep up with all the changes. From major universities to small community-based organizations, nonprofits are also impacted by these new federal government initiatives. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Rachel Spears and Eadaoin Walsh get board members up to speed on how federal initiatives are affecting small nonprofits and provide guidance to help board members engage in deliberate conversations. Strategic board discussions now can empower your organization to navigate these uncertain times, ensuring it remains resilient, adaptable, and impactful—no matter what the future holds.

One of the greatest challenges a nonprofit board of directors can face is managing conflict with and potentially terminating an executive director. While no board wants to find itself in this situation, it's crucial to be prepared. In this episode of the PBPA podcast, Alex Drummond with Seyfarth Shaw and Lori Shapiro with Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta discuss how boards can navigate conflicts with their executive director and what steps to take if termination becomes necessary. We'll cover key tips and legal considerations to ensure fairness to the executive director, maintain oversight of the nonprofit, and prepare the board members themselves.

One of the most important tasks a nonprofit board might encounter is managing the transition to a new executive director. With great succession planning, plenty of lead time and lots of luck, an executive director transition might be completely smooth and uneventful. But more often than not, boards don’t have adequate time to plan or prepare. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, John Fleming with Eversheds Sutherland will speak with us about what to do when your ED announces they are stepping down. Whether your founding executive director is retiring or your latest executive director is moving to a different organization, we will discuss important tips and considerations to help board members navigate this crucial time for the organization.

Effective Oversight to Foster Collaboration & Prevent Overreach

As the linchpin of a nonprofit, the executive director is tasked with translating the organization’s mission into action and managing day-to-day operations. But what role does the board of directors play in ensuring accountability while maintaining a collaborative partnership? And how can board members navigate the fine line between oversight and overreach? In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Alan Rosselot with Delta Air Lines and Justine Cowan with PBPA discuss how the fiduciary duties of board members apply when overseeing the executive director.

Last year, the Supreme Court in a landmark decision ruled that most American colleges and universities are prohibited from considering race in student admissions. This summer, an appellate court provided another important decision related to race-conscious offerings in the Fearless Fund Case, and this one directly impacts Georgia nonprofits. How might race-based grant-making change going forward? Join us in this episode of the PBPA Podcast as Marquetta Bryan with Nelson Mullins provides a deep dive into the Fearless Fund case, its impact on the future of equity grants in Georgia, and the legal outlook for race-conscious programming.

Many nonprofits use games, such as raffles or BINGO, as a fun, buzzworthy way to raise funds for the organization. In Georgia, we have some very clear laws that govern fundraising activities, such as raffles, door prizes and BINGO. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Thomas Federico with the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta will chat with us about what these rules are, why they exist, and some important considerations to help your nonprofit determine how to navigate raffle regulations.