Fiscal Sponsorship
Fiscal sponsorship is a quick and cost effective way to get your project up and running. It allows you more immediate connection to existing community-based organizations and provides a pre-existing infrastructure to assure best practices and compliance. It allows you to focus immediately on building your brand, your business plan and the deliverables that will drive your mission.
Click here to download a Fiscal Sponsorship Questionnaire
What services are included in a fiscal sponsorship?
Financial management reports, compliance, filings such as IRS Form 990
Payroll and human resources
Office setup – rent, phone, internet access
Technical assistance – executive search, board training, grant writing and more
Immediate startup and connection to other organizations
Insurance and risk management support
Why fiscal sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship is a quick and cost effective way to get your project up and running. It allows you more immediate connection to existing community-based organizations and provides a pre-existing infrastructure to assure best practices and compliance.
It allows you to focus immediately on building your brand, your business plan and the deliverables that will drive your mission. Beyond the benefits for each project, we see fiscal sponsorship as a powerful tool for coordinating and enhancing the efforts of a vital and engaged community.
We see the potential to build capacity through fiscal sponsorships by offering:
- Training, education and the exchange of best practices.
- Facilitation of new collaborations and communities for social change in response to ongoing, complex or multi-sector problems.
- Quick coordination of responses to changing or unforeseen community needs.
- Creation of networks across communities and sectors to test new ideas and challenge old assumptions about social change.
What are we looking for in the projects we sponsor?
We are looking for innovative projects that are responsive to current or ongoing community needs and have a clear and compelling written plan to effectively address that need.
The project must have the leadership of at least three qualified individuals willing to serve as advisors. Initial funding and a plan for ongoing support are also required.
Click here to download a Fiscal Sponsorship Questionnaire. Please complete this form and return to Jay Eilertson at jeilertson@cvnl.org or mail to the address below. We will contact you upon receipt of your application.
What do you need from a fiscal sponsor?
Project surveys indicate the most important attributes for a fiscal sponsor are:
An organization that shares your values (mission alignment)
A properly trained staff who value customer service
Leadership that is well connected, knowledgeable and influential throughout the community
A fiscal sponsor needs sufficient financial resources to assure uninterrupted operation including insurance and risk management; written administrative policies and established systems of internal controls based on generally accepted financial and accounting principles and regulations.
Reference: Fiscal Sponsorship Field Scan, Understanding Current Needs and Practices, 2006 Tides Foundation study
How much does it cost?
Fees typically range from 5—15% of gross receipts depending on services provided and the complexity and size of the project.
What is the first step?
Click here to download a Fiscal Sponsorship Questionnaire. Please complete this form and return to Jay Eilertson at jeilertson@cvnl.org or mail to the address below. We will contact you upon receipt of your application. Thank you for your interest in the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership.
