Fiscal Sponsorship

Fiscal sponsorship is a legal arrangement that allows TAPAZ to accept legal and fiduciary responsibility for a funded project’s activities, help projects stretch charitable dollars by sharing administrative costs and gives startup organizations time to consider their options for growth.

It’s a relationship in which TAP shares tax-exempt status with you. This makes TAP the “fiscal sponsor” and your group the sponsored organization. The fiscal sponsor can provide any one or more of a broad range of consultative, administrative and “back office” functions. As fiscal sponsor, TAP is legally obligated to maintain fiduciary oversight of sponsored projects.

Project Services & Resources

Fiscally sponsored projects maintain a close relationship with the Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona utilizing a variety of resources. To provide prospective projects a perspective into the tools of a relationship, a sample or link of frequently accessed forms, reference materials, and services are below.

For the convenience of current projects, a variety of frequently accessed forms, reference materials, and services are provided on our Project Resources page.

 

Fiscal Sponsorship Platform
Corporate Documentation
Accounting
  • Project revenue account codes
  • Project expense account codes
  • Expense submittal form
  • Income submittal form
  • Special events income submittal form
  • Mileage reimbursement form
  • Thank You letter sample
Services
  • Accept funds for a project’s activities
  • Send recognition letter to donors
  • Provide grant tracking
  • Check writing
  • Reviewing & submitting funding requests (grant applications)
  • Provide monthly reporting
  • Front working capital to entities with a   secure funding source
Capacity Building
  • Business Plan
  • Governance/Board Development
  • Leadership Development
  • Internal and Financial Management Systems
  • Volunteer Management
  • Donor Relations

FAQ’s

What is fiscal sponsorship?

Fiscal sponsorship allows TAPAZ to accept funds for a project’s activities.  We will also send a recognition letter to donors, provide grant tracking, check writing, assist with reviewing and submitting funding requests such as grant applications, provide monthly reporting, and front working capital to entities if they have a secure funding source.

Why choose fiscal sponsorship?

Establishing an independent 501(c)(3) is an expensive process.  Fiscal sponsorship is an efficient, cost effective way to implement a project mission while having “an outsource accountant” handle the accounting function.  Other reasons to consider fiscal sponsorship are that some grant applications require an entity to have been established for a particular number of years, and some grants also require two or more years of audited financials.  Also, some entities prefer to not be a 501(c)(3).

Are there fees involved with becoming a fiscally sponsored project?

Yes. Depending on the level of service required, fees range from 5% to 8% of the total funds received for the project. For government grants an additional 3% is added to cover greater auditing and reporting requirements.

Is there a minimum or maximum amount of time TAPAZ requires a project to be under its umbrella?
No. Our goal is to assist smaller nonprofits, unincorporated associations or alliances of organizations for as long as they need. This can mean helping groups determine the viability of a new endeavor or helping find a permanent home for a project within an existing nonprofit that shares a similar mission.

Does TAPAZ provide insurance for fiscally sponsored projects?
Yes. TAPAZ provides general liability insurance that covers all sponsored projects. Any cost for specialized or specific insurance to cover property or activities attributable solely to the sponsored project must be taken from project funds.

What if our organization has 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS and have incorporated with the state?
This is not a problem. Often nascent or smaller nonprofits lack certain requirements such as an audit to apply for competitive grants. By becoming a sponsored project for a particular grant opportunity, you will have the benefit of TAPAZ’s audit and track record.

Who can request fiscal sponsorship of a sponsored project?
Any person, group, association or organization.

What is the relationship between Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (TAP AZ) and its projects?
Because the projects are legally part of TAPAZ and integral to our mission, projects are able to receive charitable donations and grants available only to tax-exempt organizations.  TAPAZ is legally and financially responsible for all our projects and activities.