Fiscal Sponsorships
Have a charitable idea, but not the nonprofit structure to support it yet?
Sometimes, people have a strong idea for helping their community before they have the formal structure to receive charitable donations, manage funds or operate as a nonprofit organization.
That is where fiscal sponsorship may help.
Fiscal sponsorship allows an individual, group or organization with a charitable project to operate with support from an established nonprofit. Instead of immediately forming a separate 501(c)(3), a project may receive tax-deductible donations and access administrative support through a fiscal sponsor.
For many emerging projects, this can create a more practical pathway to begin the work, test an idea, build community support and operate with responsible oversight.
How CFM Can Help
The Community Foundation for Mississippi works with individuals, nonprofits and community-based groups to help turn charitable ideas into meaningful action.
If you are exploring fiscal sponsorship, CFM can help you think through whether this structure is the right fit. Our team will learn more about your project, your goals, the community you hope to serve and the kind of support you may need.
Fiscal sponsorship is not the right fit for every project, and submitting an interest form does not guarantee approval. But the first step is a conversation.
WATCH: Fiscal Sponsorships at CFM
Learn how fiscal sponsorship can help charitable projects and emerging nonprofits get off the ground. Hear how the CFM and Do Good are helping organizations focus on their missions while handling the behind-the-scenes work that keeps projects moving.
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP MAY BE HELPFUL FOR:
Who may be a fit?
New groups that are not ready to form a standalone nonprofit
Businesses launching a specific charitable project
Collaborative efforts involving multiple partners
Time-limited project within a community (example: park restoration)
Individuals with a charitable idea
Grassroots or community-led projects
At this time, projects should serve communities within CFM’s 22-county service area in central and southwest Mississippi.
What can fiscal sponsorship make possible
DEPENDING ON THW PROJECT AND THE SPONSORSHIP STRUCTURE, FISCAL SPONSORSHIP MAY HELP WITH:
Supporting responsible financial oversight
Creating a trusted structure for donors and partners
Helping project leaders focus more fully on the work itself
Receiving charitable donations
Providing donors with tax-deductible giving options
Managing charitable funds
Fiscal sponsorship is not a grant from CFM and does not guarantee funding. Project leaders are typically responsible for raising the dollars needed to support their work.
CFM and Do Good
After meeting with you, CFM will determine the best pathway for your project. In some cases, that may mean creating a fiscal sponsorship fund at CFM. In other cases, CFM may refer a project to Do Good NaaS (nonprofit as a service), our fiscal sponsorship partner.
Do Good helps mission-driven projects accept tax-deductible donations and operate with the infrastructure needed to manage charitable activity responsibly.
You do not need to decide which pathway is best before reaching out. CFM will help guide that conversation.
How the process works
Tell Us About Your Project
Complete the interest form below with basic information about your idea, who it will serve and what kind of support you are seeking.
Meet with CFM
A member of our team will review your information and schedule a conversation to better understand your goals, timeline, leadership and community impact.
CFM Reviews Fit
After the meeting, CFM will review whether fiscal sponsorship is an appropriate structure and whether the project is best suited for CFM, Do Good or another pathway.
Next Steps
If the project is a fit, CFM will guide you through next steps. If fiscal sponsorship is not the right structure, we may suggest other options or resources when possible.
Before you begin
Please do not solicit tax-deductible donations for your project until a fiscal sponsorship agreement is in place.
CFM must review and approve projects before donations can be accepted through CFM or a partner pathway.
Note: Do Good is a Nonprofit-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform operating under Do Good Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN: 85-4368754). All donations are processed by Do Good Points Foundation and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Community Foundation for Mississippi is a partner and does not process donations on behalf of Do Good.
Start the conversation
Have an idea you want to explore? Complete the form below, and a member of our team will follow up.