Have you ever wanted to make difference without all of the work involved in starting a nonprofit? Fiscal sponsorship might just be your solution.
In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah unpack the concept of fiscal sponsorship—a powerful tool for advancing a mission without starting a nonprofit. They explore how fiscal sponsorship can help grassroots projects access funding and build capacity, especially when forming a nonprofit feels overwhelming. They share how even small nonprofits can tap into the power of fiscal sponsorship to access larger pots of money that they alone couldn’t manage. Learn about the different types of fiscal sponsorship, the roles and responsibilities involved, and the importance of alignment between sponsor and project. Whether you’re new to the idea or considering it for your own work, this episode will inspire you to think creatively about how to achieve your mission.
Tune in and discover how fiscal sponsorship can help you make a difference!
Question to reflect on before you listen
Could partnering with a fiscal sponsor help you focus more on your mission and less on the administrative hurdles of running a nonprofit?
Questions to consider
- How could fiscal sponsorship help you achieve your mission more effectively?
- Are you comfortable with the trade-offs of working under another organization’s umbrella, such as reduced autonomy?
- What processes or agreements would you put in place to build a strong, trust-filled partnership?
- Is fiscal sponsorship a long-term solution for your project, or just a step toward forming your own nonprofit?
Additional resources
In 2024, Nancy Bacon and her colleague Meps Schulte created learning tools related to fiscal sponsorship for Washington Food Coalition. Visit the WFC fiscal sponsorship webpage for videos and downloadable tools. Note that these tools were designed for WSDA-funded food banks, but the lessons apply to all fiscal sponsorships.
Word of the week: Sponsor
What does it mean to truly sponsor someone or something? How does that responsibility shape trust and accountability in your work?