If you are looking for a way to get your organization’s project off the ground, fiscal sponsorship may be a good option for you. Fiscal sponsorship is a relationship in which a non-profit organization provides financial and administrative support to another organization or individual for a specific project or program. In this arrangement, the sponsored organization or individual can access the resources and expertise of the sponsoring organization while still maintaining its own independence and autonomy. The sponsoring organization typically provides services such as accounting, financial management, and grant administration and may also offer other support, such as access to its donor network and fundraising expertise. In return, the sponsored organization or individual may be required to pay a fee or to share a portion of the funds raised. Fiscal sponsorship can be a great way for organizations or individuals working on a specific project or program to access resources and expertise without having to operate independently.
Benefits of fiscal sponsorship include:
• Accessing resources and expertise of an established non-profit organization
• Minimizing legal liabilities by operating under the umbrella of the sponsoring organization
• Gaining access to donors and fundraising expertise from an established non-profit
• More efficient use of resources through shared expenses
• Greater flexibility in program design
Fiscal sponsorship can be a great way for organizations or individuals working on a specific project or program but do not yet have the necessary infrastructure or expertise to operate independently. If you are considering this option for your organization, make sure to research potential sponsoring organizations carefully and understand all of the terms and conditions of the arrangement before you begin. With a good understanding of what fiscal sponsorship entails and how it can benefit your organization, you can use it effectively to get your project or program off the ground.
Who should I ask?
Well, it’s wonderful of you to ask. We have a long-standing relationship with the Finger Lakes Law and Social Policy Center. For any questions you might have, feel free to reach out to our colleague David Filberto at dmf22 [at] cornell.edu