National Network of Fiscal Sponsors – Hot Topic Call: Legal

Published on: October 17, 2014 by Gene Takagi 1 Comment

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting a Hot Topic Call on legal issues for the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you’re interested in viewing the accompanying slide deck, you can download it by clicking Hot Topics in Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship (pdf). Preview: The focus of the call was on comprehensive fiscal sponsorship (also referred to as […]

Fiscal Sponsorship: A Valuable Option for Grantmakers and Grantees

Published on: October 14, 2014October 14, 2014 by Gene Takagi 2 Comments

Yesterday, I had the honor of participating on a panel discussing fiscal sponsorship at the 2014 Grantmakers in the Arts 2014 Conference in Houston. Frances Phillips (Walter and Elise Haas Fund), Melanie Beene (consultant, former CEO of Community Initiatives), and Ian David Moss (Fractured Atlas) were my co-panelists, and we were joined by a very vocal group […]

Fiscal Sponsor Due Diligence

Published on: October 8, 2014 by Michele Berger 1 Comment

Fiscal sponsorship describes a relationship between an individual or group who have initiated a charitable project, and an existing tax-exempt organization that has agreed to support said project. In the most common form of fiscal sponsorship, “Model A” or comprehensive fiscal sponsorship, the sponsor brings the project in-house. The project has no separate legal existence […]

Fiscal Sponsorship on Nonprofit Radio

Published on: August 23, 2012 by Gene Takagi

On Friday, 10:30 am PT, Emily and I will be discussing fiscal sponsorship with Tony Martignetti on Nonprofit Radio. What is fiscal sponsorship? Why is it important as an alternative to starting a nonprofit? How do you enter into a proper fiscal sponsorship arrangement? Make sure you catch the rest of Tony's show starting at […]

Fiscal Sponsorship & Dormant Projects – Part II: Removing Dormant Projects from the Sponsor’s Books

Published on: July 12, 2011March 21, 2014 by Emily Chan

As discussed in Part I, when to remove an inactive fiscally sponsored project from the books is a critical discussion for fiscal sponsors given the various liability risks they face by allowing defunct projects to fly under their radars. Here, we will address some key considerations for fiscal sponsors in exercising proper oversight of such […]

Fiscal Sponsorship & Dormant Projects – Part I: Liability Risks

Published on: June 30, 2011 by Emily Chan 2 Comments

At the recent “Understanding Fiscal Sponsorship in the Arts" workshop sponsored by the Creative Capacity Fund, an audience member in our legal issues workshop asked about the appropriate length of time to keep dormant projects on the fiscal sponsor’s books. While there is no legally mandated timeline, boards of fiscal sponsors should at a minimum discuss […]

Understanding Fiscal Sponsorship in the Arts – Creative Capacity Fund

Published on: June 15, 2011March 21, 2014 by Emily Chan

On Monday, Gene and I had the pleasure of speaking at the “Understanding Fiscal Sponsorship in the Arts” workshop in San Francisco sponsored by the Creative Capacity Fund. There was an overwhelming attendance with over 150 registered participants comprised of current fiscal sponsors and fiscally sponsored projects as well as those considering becoming fiscal sponsors […]

Emerging Leaders Program: Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership

Published on: September 22, 2010February 25, 2014 by Gene Takagi

The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) of the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership "addresses the core competencies needed to effectively manage organizations and complex programs as well as the leadership skills one needs to be successful within our quickly changing sector." Last week, Emily Chan and I spoke to the ELP group on various legal […]