2023 National Gathering Recap
The National Network of Fiscal Sponsor’s Annual Gathering 2023 is in the books!
After several days in the Big Easy, a few things are clear: This is an engaged community, this is a dynamic field, and there is room for everyone at the table.
The gathering opened with a conversation highlighting the shared experiences of fiscal sponsors. Two Louisiana-based organizations, Antenna and Foundation For Louisiana, shared their experiences navigating the fiscal sponsorship landscape in New Orleans, explaining the challenges they face working with community leaders and government, and highlighting their proudest accomplishments.
The breakout sessions, spread over the two days, were where a lot of the most exciting conversations took place. At “Baggage Claims: Cultivating Healthy and Authentic Work Environments,” NNFS steering committee member Louisa Mfum-Mensah of Urban Affairs Coalition emphasized the shared humanity that underpins fiscal sponsorship.
“The work will always get done, but how you treat people is always critical to how that gets done,” she said. “For us to be able to effectively serve our communities, we have to make sure our core team feels as if they are supported in showing up as their best and most authentic selves.”
At “Fiscal Sponsorship 101,” Josh Burgner of Mission Edge San Diego spoke about the risks inherent in these relationships, while also arguing that the sector is a prime space for learning.
“Misaligned expectations between sponsors and project teams is one of the biggest challenges in fiscal sponsorship,” he said. “It is important to communicate and educate your project team about everyone’s roles. You’ve got to be prepared to think on your feet, but don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
The closing plenary panel tackled tough issues around affirmative action, and how organizations can — or should — maintain special support for BIPOC leaders and communities. Suneela Jain, General Counsel at Tides, a family of organizations committed to advancing a world of shared prosperity and social justice, didn’t pull any punches.
“You have to expect a fight when working in the racial equity sector of community work,” she said. “If you can’t handle that responsibility, then you have to change your mission.”
It was a powerful closing note, and one that underlined so many of the pressing issues facing the field of fiscal sponsorship and our society as a whole. To that end, bringing together so many leaders in the field in one place was incredibly productive.
“Thank you to NNFS for creating a space for all of us to connect and have these important conversations,” enthused attendee Ema Angulo-Rodriguez from March On/Future Coalition. “NNFS plays a huge role in connecting us so that we can share resources, and make these important policy changes.”
Learn who’s was in the room, what they were learning, and how they were connecting with the network at the National Gathering 2023.
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