What is Fiscal Sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship is an arrangement in which a charitable project or program can operate and receive contributions—including grants and tax-deductible donations—under the tax-exempt status of a mission-aligned Fiscal Sponsor organization. The Fiscal Sponsor then provides the sponsee with fiduciary oversight, financial management, and other administrative services to advance their work and build capacity. CACF accepts grant applications from fiscally sponsored projects. Click the image below to review our full policy, and read on for more resources and information.
How would my organization benefit from Fiscal Sponsorship?
At CACF, we believe fiscal sponsorship is a well-founded, strategic, and valuable tool to support projects and programs that can improve the quality of life of those living in our region. It is one of many potential alternatives to starting a non-profit, and comes with a multitude of advantages for groups looking to make an impact in our community. Fiscally sponsored organizations, groups, and projects can apply for grant funding at the Community Foundation—please review our full Fiscal Sponsorship Policy for more information. Fiscal sponsorship might be a good fit if you are:
- Looking to focus your resources on your mission and reduce administrative burden. Fiscal sponsorship can be especially useful for grassroots and non-mainstream organizations that are leading critical work in our communities (but that may not have or want tax-exempt status) to receive funding and support that carries forward their missions and builds their capacity for deeper impact.
- Leading a temporary and/or time sensitive project
- Testing out demand or support for an idea
- Waiting to obtain 501(c)(3) status but need to raise funds to advance work while still in the start-up phase
- Building a coalition or facilitating collaboration amongst many groups
- Fiscal sponsorship can also prove to be the most cost effective option for projects or organizations with lower revenue streams
Where do I get started?
If you are interested in finding a fiscal sponsor or becoming a fiscal sponsor, or just want to learn more about how it works, please see the resources below:
- Fiscal Sponsorship: A Balanced Overview (Nonprofit Quarterly)
- Fiscal Sponsorship for Nonprofits (National Council of Nonprofits)
- National Network of Fiscal Sponsors (NNFS) Guidelines for Best Practices of Fiscal Sponsorship
- Ten Questions Potential Projects Should Ask a Fiscal Sponsor (NNFS)
- Ten Questions Funders Should Ask Grantees Who Use Fiscal Sponsors (NNFS)
- A Board’s Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship (Propel Nonprofits)
How do I get support?
If you are already a fiscal sponsor or a fiscally sponsored applicant who is interested in a CACF grant, please review our full Fiscal Sponsorship Policy, as well as our Community Endowment Fund Grant Policies on our website.