Financial oversight is a critical—but often under-discussed—aspect of fiscal sponsorship. This session will feature experienced financial professionals who will offer insight into the systems and practices that underpin strong fiscal sponsorship programs. Panelists will discuss internal financial tools (such as Sage), common challenges they encounter, and best practices for maintaining accurate reporting and financial transparency across fiscally sponsored projects.
Note: This event is open to the public, but you must register an account with The Philanthropy Network to attend.
Panelists Include:
Johnny Gerant, Finance Director at CultureWorks boasts a decade-long commitment to various arts and culture initiatives in the Greater Philadelphia region. Prior to assuming his role at CultureWorks, Mr. Gerant played a pivotal role in a charity-based arts collective, contributing to the successful execution of events tailored to Philadelphia's dynamic underground music community. As a first-generation Haitian-American, Johnny Gerant possesses a profound appreciation for the transformative impact that non-profit organizations can have on local communities. His dedication to supporting artists is not merely a professional obligation but a personal passion that fuels his commitment to fostering positive change. Witnessing the tangible, real-world benefits of his work within the CultureWorks network across Philadelphia serves as a constant source of fulfillment for Mr. Gerant. Johnny studied liberal arts at Muhlenberg College and brings a well-rounded academic foundation to his role. His diverse experiences, coupled with a nuanced understanding of financial and systems management, contribute significantly to the success and impact of CultureWorks in the vibrant cultural landscape of Philadelphia.
Mallory Good is a principal at CLA who delivers assurance, tax, and consulting services to nonprofit organizations. With more than 13 years of experience serving the nonprofit sector, she is recognized for her proactive, relationship-driven approach and commitment to helping clients navigate complex accounting, compliance, governance, and reporting matters. Mallory works closely with boards, finance teams, and executive leadership to provide practical guidance and responsive support tailored to each organization's needs. She has experience working with charitable organizations, including those operating under fiscal sponsorship arrangements. Mallory's expertise includes financial reporting under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), federal and state tax compliance for tax-exempt organizations and Uniform Guidance and Yellow Book compliance. Mallory earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from West Chester University of PA, is a CPA, and is a member of involved with the AICPA and the PICPA.
Thaddeus Squire, Chief Commons Steward at Social Impact Commons, has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit management field, focusing on arts and cultural heritage. A serial nonprofit entrepreneur, he founded Peregrine Arts in 2004, a multi-arts producer, followed by Hidden City Philadelphia, among other curatorial projects. In 2010 he shifted his practice to focus on shared nonprofit infrastructure, founding CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia in 2010, the first comprehensive fiscal sponsor focusing on arts and heritage in the country, which grew to steward more than 120 independent organizations under his leadership. Following CultureWorks, in 2020, he co-founded Social Impact Commons, the first nonprofit supporting organization and field builder for the national fiscal sponsorship community. Thaddeus’s creative practice is focused on systems design for nonprofit resource sharing, in particular practices based in commoning and commons management principles and other Solidarity Economy models. In his free time, he cultivates interests in horticulture and garden design, history of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, political economy, nonprofit management, and cultural stewardship, which he explores through his Substack, The Undersector and through frequent speaking engagements. Thaddeus holds degrees from Princeton University, the University of Leipzig (J. William Fulbright Fellowship), and the Mendelssohn Conservatory of Music & Theatre.
Presented by: The Philanthropy Network
Fiscal sponsorship plays a critical—yet often misunderstood—role in supporting community-rooted work. This six-part brown-bag Lunch & Learn virtual series is designed to give funders a practical, nuanced understanding of fiscal sponsorship as both an operational model and a strategic tool for advancing impact.
Across six monthly sessions, participants will explore how fiscal sponsorship functions in practice; why projects choose this structure; how due diligence, equity, and impact measurement look within sponsored models; and how funders can engage more effectively and responsibly with fiscally sponsored work. Each 45-minute session, held the first Thursday of each month from 12:00–1:00 PM will combine brief framing with facilitated discussion, centering real-world experience and shared learning rather than formal presentation.
Sessions are intended to stand alone, yet collectively offer a cohesive learning arc—from foundational concepts to long-term partnership strategies.
This series is made possible through generous support from The Philadelphia Cultural Fund.