There is no fee for fiscal sponsorship. However, to support your mission, 10% of all contributions, such as donations, grants, sponsorships, and others, will cover administrative costs for your program. Administrative costs include bookkeeping, managing the back office, HR services, payroll processing, technical support, insurance coverage, adherence to state and federal regulations, and the opportunity to access donated and discounted goods and services.

Initial Contribution

Once a project is approved for sponsorship, there is a one-time contribution of $350. This amount is aimed at offsetting the expenses associated with the onboarding process. In some cases, this contribution may be fundraised.

Project Transfer Contribution

To facilitate the smooth transfer of funds and assets between sponsors, we allocate 5% of these funds to cover administrative costs. This helps cover the costs of managing contributions, grant contracts, bank accounts, contractor agreements, and other program assets during transfers.

Fundraising Minimum

To offset the ongoing administrative cost of fiscal sponsorship, projects have a minimum monthly contribution of $100 (waived for programs raising more than $1000 per month OR $12,000 per year).

HR & Payroll

For detailed information on costs and benefits related to program employees and contractors, please click here for more information.

Nonprofits and charitable programs must be organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes as set forth by the IRS, including but not limited to:

• The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a program’s net earnings may benefit any private shareholder or individual.

• No substantial part of a program or organization’s activities may directly or indirectly participate in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.

• Projects with international activities must have primary leadership or a home office inside the United States.

We do not require applicants to have an advisory board. However, advisory boards help fiscally sponsored organizations thrive. While NOPI's board of directors provides legal and fiduciary responsibility for the project, an advisory board does not have formal legal obligations or decision-making authority. Functions of an advisory board include the annual review of the program director/s, strategic planning, fundraising, and serving as program ambassadors. Advisory boards should have three to five members who reflect the communities your organization aim to serve. Having an advisory board is linked to increased financial support and a five-fold decrease in the need for technical assistance.

NOPI provides wrap-around services, including bookkeeping, A/P, A/R, payroll, HR, and two hours of technical assistance per month. Under specific sponsorship models, we extend our liability protection, 501(c)(3) status, and access to donated and nonprofit rates for goods and services.

We believe in respecting the project founder's vision, values, and creativity. NOPI provides the opportunity for founders and organizations to retain ownership of intellectual property, including branding, social media channels, websites, and creative assets.

Yes! However, it is the responsibility of NOPI to ensure that funds are spent only to further the project's mission and guarantee the delivery of services. Projects can in no way jeopardize our 501c3 status or (in the case of a Model C or F sponsorship) yours.

As fiscal sponsorship requires NOPI to assume legal and financial liability potentially, we must complete our due diligence in screening new projects. Likewise, any group searching for a fiscal sponsor should also ensure they partner with a reputable and stable organization. This process should not be rushed and may take weeks or months to finalize. Projects not ready for sponsorship may benefit from our Technical Assistance services to get their program sponsor-ready.

Fiscal sponsorship can be permanent, long-term, or short-term depending on the project and future direction. Some projects stay fiscally sponsored, while others become a separate 501c3 nonprofit organization. Some projects are temporary, and the need for sponsorship is time-specific and ends when the project is terminated or concludes.

Sponsored programs can access in-kind and discounted products and services, including:

• Google Workplace

• Instrumentl Grants Database
  $10 per user per month (reg $162 per month)

• Salesforce for Nonprofits

• Hubspot for Nonprofits
  40% off annual term contract on enterprise or professional plans

• Canva Pro

• TechSoup Catalog
  Cost varies by product and service

• Google Adwords

• Squarespace
  20% off the first year of hosting

• Mailchimp
  15-20% off

• Zoom
  50% off

• Slack

and many more!

Starting July 1, 2024, a $100 refundable monthly fee will cover essential sponsorship costs like insurance, accounting, and grant management. Implementing fundraising minimums is essential to ensuring the sustainability and accessibility of our services for all.

Programs with no financial activity for six months will undergo a review to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability.

Together, we'll work towards achieving financial sustainability for your program or organization.

Establishing a fiscal sponsorship with NOPI takes around 30 days. Projects that are responding to a public emergency are prioritized and accelerated through the onboarding process.

Click here to see the current organizations and projects we are supporting. All are happy to provide a reference as needed!

Our primary areas of focus are on programs addressing systemic inequities through the work that they do. Missions may focus on healthcare, housing, mental health, education, immigration, and more. We do not currently sponsor art or film projects. Please visit the Fiscal Sponsorship Directory for additional sponsors that may fit other areas of focus.

As our organization earns and spends less than $500,000 in revenue, NOPI is not subject to an annual financial audit.

Our experienced team of bookkeepers provides accurate, up-to-date financial information and an independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA) ensures financial accuracy under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for all our sponsored programs.