Network Exchange: Insights from the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors

In this conversation, host Lee Stabert speaks with Ajara Alghali from the TéMaTé Institute for Black Dance and Culture. This  community dance organization will be performing at the 2026 National Gathering in Detroit in late September. They chat about turning a hobby into a calling, TéMaTé's relationship with fiscal sponsorship, and the quest for sustainability in arts nonprofits. This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this conversation, host Lee Stabert speaks with Katie Andrecovich and Sean Everett from the DPL Foundation in Detroit. They discuss the organization’s history and its forays into fiscal sponsorship, with a spotlight on a particularly innovative project (Code:Grow) that creates a fruitful and unexpected connection between computer coding and getting outside. If you haven’t heard. NNFS is heading to Detroit in September for the 2026 NNFS National Gathering. This conversation should help get you excited to explore one of America’s most iconic cities.   This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this conversation, host Lee Stabert chats with with Kian Alavi of Mazlo. The software maven shares his winding and unconventional career path, talks about the evolving needs of fiscal sponsors, and even takes a shot at predicting the future of the field.This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. And don't forget to register for the 2026 NNFS National Gathering in Detroit this September!

In this conversation, host Lee Stabert chats with with Sarah Gonzales, Drewe Haddox and Scheherazade Parrish from Allied Media Projects (AMP). They discuss the organization’s history and its goals, working in Detroit, and the particular challenges of this current moment. Plus, the team has some restaurant recommendations for Motor City — the 2026 NNFS National Gathering is headed there in September!This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this conversation, host Lee Stabert chats with Amrit Kanesa-thasan of ImpactGraph. His company builds financial software specifically for fiscal sponsors and nonprofits, so they can focus less on the numbers and more on what they do best. This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this conversation, host Lee Stabert chats with Jodi Segal of Big Change Consulting. She helps organizations transition out of fiscal sponsorship — or not. She’ll sit down with you and weigh the pros and cons, before acting as a guide down the path that is best for your nonprofit. Segal speaks about her career trajectory, building community in the sector, and spreading the word about her consultancy. This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this conversation, host Lee Stabert is chatting with Amanda LaFleur, executive director of the Nonprofit Organization for Philanthropic Initiatives (NOPI). She discusses life as a boutique fiscal sponsor, the idea of right-sizing an organization, and shares a bit about her experience at the NNFS National Gathering in Phoenix.  This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this conversation, host Lee Stabert is chatting with Leah Kral, author of the book Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results and a brand new member of the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. She explains the inspiration behind her book, offers a bunch of  illustrative examples of how innovative thinking can change the world, and reflects on why fiscal sponsorship excites her so much. This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

We're back with another very special episode. On November 4-7, 2025, the National Gathering was held in Chandler, Arizona, outside of Phoenix. Attendees joined host Lee Stabert at a pop-up recording studio to chat about their expectations, their experiences, and their place in this evolving community.These are the guests, in order of appearance.Polly Riddims, NNFSMicah Blumenthal, Good Work InstituteLauren Chianese, MazloEma Sol, Future IncubatorAmanda Bennett, Personified TechJill Teigen, Players Philanthropy Fund (PPF)Jacob Beach, Stara CollaborativeJericha Senyak, Jericha Senyak ConsultingThis podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode — or would like to appear on the show  — please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this episode, host Lee Stabert chats with Melissa Erickson (The Funding Studio), Kelsey Otten (TAP AZ) and Juan Salas (TAP AZ), members of Arizona’s fiscal sponsorship community. If you haven’t heard — the 2025 National Gathering is headed there in early November. They discuss the field of play in the state, how they’re working to build community, and even share some packing and snacking tips. This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. And if you’d like more information on the 2025 National Gathering, happening in Phoenix, head to fiscalsponsors.org/events.

In this episode, host Lee Stabert speaks with Elliot Zettas — he recently completed a PhD and focused his dissertation on, you guessed it, fiscal sponsorship. We chat with him about what led him to this area of study, how he conducted his research, and the big-picture conclusions he was able to draw. HERE is a link to Zettas' work.This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. And if you’d like more information on the 2025 National Gathering, happening in Phoenix, head to fiscalsponsors.org/events.

In this episode, host Lee Stabert speaks with Carla Dartis of Movement Strategy Center in Oakland, California. In this discussion, they touch on community building, resistance, and keeping the work itself at the center of the organization’s mission.This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. And if you’d like more information on the 2025 National Gathering, happening in Phoenix, head to fiscalsponsors.org/events.

In this conversation, host Lee Stabert chats with Marc Pollick from The Giving Back Fund. As you’ll hear in this episode, Marc saw a problem — celebrities and athletes with the desire and the influence to give back, and none of the expertise — and came up with a solution. He speaks about helping people give money away, design/build philanthropy, and how funders can meet the moment.This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. And if you’d like more information on the 2025 National Gathering, happening in Phoenix, head to fiscalsponsors.org/events.

In this episode, host Lee Stabert speaks with Karl Mill from Mill Law Center. An attorney who works with nonprofits and fiscal sponsors, Karl joined us to talk about this particular moment — one that feels incredible precarious for organizations doing community-centric work. What should they be worried about? How can they meet the moment? And why might they need a lawyer?This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. And if you’d like more information on the 2025 National Gathering, happening in Phoenix, head to fiscalsponsors.org/events.

In this episode, host Lee Stabert speaks with Ajani Husbands and Amanda Nasinyama of Build Up, Inc., an international fiscal sponsor with a special focus on women and BIPOC-led projects. At the 2024 National Gathering in Atlanta, they  led a session entitled, "Decolonizing Fiscal Sponsorship." In this chat, we get into the conception and experience of that session, as well as the bigger picture for Build Up Inc.’s work as they try to level the playing field and build partnerships across the globe.This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

This is a very special episode. On October 16-18, the National Gathering was held in Atlanta, Georgia. More than a dozen folks joined host Lee Stabert at a pop-up recording studio to chat about their expectations, their experiences, and their place in this evolving community.These are the guests, in order of appearance. Jasmine Hall Ratliff, Build Missouri HealthCorey P. Holland, Charm City ImpactJuan Salas, TAPAZ -Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona Ema Angulo-Rodriguez, Future CoalitionAshlee Haze, Kiera Ashlee Talent Co & Alternate ROOTSAsaf Ronen, Austin Creative AllianceShava Lawson, Seattle Parks Foundation Melinda Steffy, CultureWorks Greater PhiladelphiaAlicia Prevost, The Partnership ProjectAmanda Bennett, Personified TechAjani Husbands, Build Up, Inc.KJ Shepherd, GoodnationSarah Hiller, Evergreen Social ImpactThis podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this conversation, host Lee Stabert is joined by Polly Riddims, Khadija El Karfi Joss, and Melissa Erickson, members of the organizing committee for the upcoming National Gathering, taking place October 16-18 in Atlanta Georgia. To get you excited — and convince any stragglers to register — they're discussing this year’s theme, the welcoming energy that infuses the annual event, and the changes they’ve made to the 2024 iteration of the National Gathering. CLICK HERE to register for the 2024 National Gathering. This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this episode, host Lee Stabert speaks with Esther Pang and Khadija El Karfi Joss of Future Coalition about their program Future Incubator. The organization works with young activists to help them grow the impact of their work and they offer fiscal sponsorship. The conversation covers the power of the next generation to make change in the world, the nuts of bolts of how you support them, and why Future Coalition would like other fiscal sponsors to join them in this project.This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this episode, we’re speaking with Blair Franklin of Alight Alchemy. After getting their start working on a fiscally sponsored project — and experiencing a rocky relationship with said fiscal sponsor — they then shepherded that organization to 501c3 status. That experience inspired a lot of questions, including, “Is there a better way?” Now Franklin offers consulting services, helping clients think about risk, manage conflict, and think holistically about taking care of each other and their communities.This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this episode, host Lee Stabert speaks with Sabrina Romero of Global Impact. Her organization recently completed a survey of its fiscal sponsorship clients. Their takeaways from that survey will inform their work going forward, but maybe the act of asking the questions had its own impact.This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this spirited conversation, we're digging into a fascinating and inspiring sector of the fiscal sponsorship community: Model C. This form of fiscal sponsorship can be an incredible tool for artists, creatives and organizations — allowing them access to grants, professional development, and community. The episode features Theresa Hubbard (Fractured Atlas), Shawn René Graham (The Field), John Bell (Springboard for the Arts), and Julia Barbosa Landois (Fresh Arts).This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this episode, host Lee Stabert chats with Louisa Mfum-Mensah and Thembi Maiden from  Urban Affairs Coalition about creating a healthy and authentic environment within an organization. A fiscal sponsor with 486 employees, UAC recently put a lot of effort into strengthening its workplace culture. After feeling the positive impact of these changes, the UAC team couldn’t keep it to themselves: They used the 2023 National Gathering in New Orleans as an occasion to share best practices and keep the learning process going.This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

Host Lee Stabert chats with Thaddeus Squire of Social Impact Commons, the country’s first incubator and shared resource provider supporting the fiscal sponsorship community.  In this wide-ranging conversation, they delve into why Squire believes that language is important, the power of collective management, and the field’s incredible potential for growth. This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. 

In this lively conversation, host Lee Stabert speaks with Ruth Williams, president and CEO of Community Initiatives. She’s talking with us about what drew her to fiscal sponsorship, why the field continues to grow, and why collaboration is key to making these special relationships work. This podcast was produced by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please reach out to NNFS and let us know. This podcast was originally published in December 2023.