Fiscal sponsorship
A nonprofit home for grassroots ecological projects
In short
- Fiscal sponsorship lets your project use our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
- Donors give to us for your project, and their gifts are tax-deductible.
- You can apply for grants that only go to nonprofits.
- We handle the money and paperwork. You do the work.
- We keep 9% of the money your project receives to cover our costs.
- Cost
- 9% of funds received
- Reply time
- Usually within 3 weeks
- Applications
- Open all year
Who we sponsor
We work with projects that are:
- Grassroots and led by their community
- Working on protecting nature, habitat, Indigenous land rights, or related justice issues
- Rooted in respect for the living world for its own sake
- Working in good faith with the communities they affect
- Not repeating work that well-funded groups already do
Groups defending a specific place through public comment, watchdog work, or legal action are welcome. See projects we've sponsored.
What you get
- Tax-deductible donationsDonors give to FGC for your project and get a tax receipt.
- Grant eligibilityApply for grants that require 501(c)(3) status, with FGC as the applicant.
- Money managementWe receive, hold, and pay out funds, and keep full records.
- Tax paperworkYour project is included in our annual IRS filing. We send donor receipts.
- Financial reportsClear statements of money in and money out, every three months.
- Writing helpA second set of eyes on grant applications, appeals, and reports to funders.
- Policy templatesReady-made conflict of interest, whistleblower, and record-keeping policies.
How it works
- Step 1 of 3
Apply
Fill out the application below. It has 10 questions, and 6 are required.
Have ready: a short description of your project and a rough budget.
- Step 2 of 3
Talk with us
We read every application and usually reply within three weeks. Then we set up a call to make sure it's a good fit.
Prefer email to a call? Just say so.
- Step 3 of 3
Start receiving funds
We sign a simple agreement. After that, donations and grants for your project come through us.
Cost: we keep 9% of funds received.
Words to know
- Fiscal sponsor
- An established nonprofit that receives and manages money for a project that isn't its own nonprofit.
- 501(c)(3)
- The IRS category for charities. Gifts to a 501(c)(3) can be deducted from the donor's taxes.
- Grant
- Money from a foundation or agency for specific work. Many grants only go to 501(c)(3) groups or their sponsored projects.
- Sponsorship agreement
- A short contract that says what we each agree to do, including the 9% fee.
Apply for sponsorship
Before you start
The form has 10 questions. Most people finish in about 20 minutes. The form can't save your progress, so you may want to write longer answers somewhere else first.
Rather not use a form? Email the same information to info@fertilegroundconservancy.org, or ask for a call.