FISCAL SPONSORSHIP

What is fiscal sponsorship?

Fiscal sponsorship is a legal agreement where a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization agrees to sponsor an individual or group whose activities align with the non-profit's mission. Through this agreement, the sponsored party can receive certain benefits of being a non-profit without having to go through the process of applying for non-profit status themselves.

Fiscal Sponsorship enables your project to receive grants and tax-deductible contributions, including monetary and in-kind donations, through our status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This allows you to focus on delivering the outcomes of your project without having to invest time and resources to establish your own 501(c)(3) organization. 

How do I apply for fiscal sponsorship?

Fill out the Fiscal Sponsorship Application form. Your answers to the application questions help us to understand your project and accept you into our Fiscal Sponsorship portfolio. Our application process also sets you up to begin immediate fundraising, as many of the questions are similar to most funder applications or requests for proposals. We hope that spending the time to think through some of these important aspects of your work will ease some of the burden as you seek the funds and support to complete your project. 

Please also be sure to sign up for our Creative Activist Network to join our growing global community of artists, filmmakers, photographers, media creators, industry leaders, and other influential individuals making change happen. 

How do I pay the application fee?

A non-refundable fee of $85 is due upon submission of this application. Please click on the "Pay Fee" button below to get routed to the Network for Good donation collection page. Your application will be reviewed once you submit your fee.

What happens once I am accepted?

Once accepted, our team will onboard your project or organization. This includes featuring the project on the Creative Visions website project gallery, helping you set up a donation page to use in your fundraising efforts, and providing an array of project support through our Creative Activist Network. 

How does the disbursement of donations work? 

Creative Visions will make a direct deposit to the fiscally sponsored project by the 22nd of each month for collections from the preceding month. 

Are fiscally sponsored projects subject to 1099? 

All distributions from Creative Visions are subject to 1099 reporting. If you become a C Corporation or S Corporation, under the law, you do not need to file a 1099. However, individuals and partnerships are subject to 1099 filing. Creative Visions contracts businesses such as fiscally sponsored projects to perform specific program services, and you are actively engaged in a for-profit business. There are tax-planning strategies that support income deferral. Your accountant is the best person to advise you about your particular situation. 

When starting a new bank account for the project under the project name, will I need a new tax ID, or will I be using the Creative Visions tax ID?

When a project sets up its new bank account, the Creative Visions tax ID is not used. Instead, we recommend applying for a new federal tax ID. 

Must the fiscally sponsored project’s business account be opened in the USA, or can Creative Visions disburse the funds to an international account?

Creative Visions can disburse funds to an international account; however, there will be an additional charge to cover our bank’s outgoing wire charges. We apply extra scrutiny to overseas projects to concur with U.S. regulations regarding off-shore disbursements. 

Will fiscally sponsored projects be provided with donor information to enable them to send personalized thank-you letters?

Yes, fiscally sponsored projects will receive donor information, and we encourage you to send thank-you letters. 

Will Creative Visions send a tax receipt to all donors?

Yes, Creative Visions is responsible for sending out tax receipts to donors for donations made via check, online donation, wire transfer, stocks, or cyber currency. 

How do I process a matching grant from my employer? 

Please check with your employer; they all have different requirements.  

What business structure should I choose for my fiscally sponsored project? 

There are different legal structures to choose from when starting a business, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation. This decision affects how your business operates, your taxes, and your personal responsibility for debts and legal issues. Consider your business, goals, and personal situation before choosing. Please consult your tax advisor.