As NNFS prepares for the 2025 National Gathering, happening November 5-7 in Phoenix, Arizona, we thought we’d give you a look behind the curtain at the planning process. Here is a piece by Daniel Parada, Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at Movement Strategy Center and member of the planning committee, about choosing a theme for this year’s event.

April marked a significant milestone in the fiscal sponsorship community: the fifth anniversary of Fiscal Sponsor Conversations (FSC). This weekly Zoom forum has become a vital space for connection, learning, and collaboration among fiscal sponsors nationwide.

On April 25, 2025, fiscal sponsors from across the MidAtlantic region convened at CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia for a day of connection, reflection, and forward-thinking. Co-hosted by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors (NNFS) and Social Impact Commons, this in-person gathering brought together practitioners from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and beyond to share insights, challenges, and opportunities in the evolving landscape of fiscal sponsorship.

We are so excited to see you in Atlanta! The 2024 National Gathering kicks off on Tuesday night with a casual reception (5-7 p.m.) at Dunwoody Suite, which is located in the Crowne Plaza Ravinia within the conference floor.  Meet or reconnect with a room full of passionate folks who have traveled to the ATL to improve their communities and careers, and grow the fiscal sponsor ecosystem.

Network Exchange: Louisa Mfum-Mensah and Thembi Maiden of Urban Affairs Coalition on improving office culture

Have you checked out Network Exchange, the podcast from the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors? Whether you’re a seasoned professional, new to the field, or just curious about the work, this show is your go-to source for illuminating insights, best practices, and the latest trends in the dynamic realm of fiscal sponsorship.

To give you a sense of what we’re discussing on the podcast, here’s an excerpt from a recent conversation with Louisa Mfum-Mensah and Thembi Maiden from the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC), a fiscal sponsor with 486 employees that has recently put a lot of effort into strengthening its workplace culture. That process inspired a panel at the 2023 National Gathering in New Orleans.

The MidAtlantic region hosted biannual events, last meeting in 2018 before reconvening in April 2023 and April 2024. The recent Philadelphia gathering saw 40 attendees from Baltimore, DC, New York, and Philadelphia, focusing on intros, successes, and challenges. Breakout sessions covered finance, HR, fundraising, project management, and marketing. Attendees brainstormed for future gatherings, expressing interest in September meetups alongside the upcoming National Gathering in Atlanta. NNFS facilitated the event, handling registration and agenda coordination.

In conversations with leaders in the field of fiscal sponsorship, this is a sentiment that comes up again and again. Fiscal sponsors are behind-the-scenes actors who play a role in creating positive change across a slew of sectors.