Fiscal Sponsorship for Artist Projects

Fiscal Sponsorship for Artist Projects is sponsored by Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC). Offers fiscal sponsorship to individual artists or unincorporated arts groups for specific projects. This allows artists to pursue large-scale funding opportunities from corporations and private foundations by leveraging AFCC's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Fiscal Sponsorship | Empower Your Arts Projects Today — Arts Foundation of Cape Cod Our fiscal sponsorship program serves individual artists and arts groups/collectives who are leading arts-focused public benefit projects. Arts Foundation Fiscal Sponsorship is a financial and administrative tool that helps these groups fundraise.

Through our program, they can access some of the benefits typically reserved for 501c3 organizations (such as receiving grants restricted to 501c3s and offering donors a tax deduction) and receive feedback from Arts Foundation Fiscal Sponsorship staff. Fiscal Sponsorship applications are now accepted on a rolling basis. We welcome proposals year-round and review applications as they are submitted.

Fiscal Sponsorship applications are now accepted on a rolling basis. We welcome proposals year-round and review applications as they are submitted. Fiscal Sponsorship | Browse Sponsored Projects Build Relationships with Supporters Grow your community of supporters by offering individual donors the benefit of a tax deduction for their gifts and acknowledgement of in-kind donations through AFCCFiscal Sponsorship.

Virtual monthly meetings about fiscal sponsorship needs, trends, and fundraising. Exchange resources, learn new skills, and expand your network by meeting other artists. Create a project fundraising page on AFCC’s website to easily collect contributions.

We offer custom online fundraising tools, as well as a partnership with the crowdfunding platform Seed&Spark. The program is open to all artists with an employer identification number (EIN) or social security number (SSN). At this point in time, we are only accepting applications from individuals and not emerging organizations.

Artist Projects: Artist Projects are specific projects led by individual artists or unincorporated arts groups. We sponsor on a project-by-project basis, rather than sponsoring an entire artist or group’s practice. AFCC only accepts and oversees contributed income for Artist Projects.

Fiscal Sponsorship applications are now accepted on a rolling basis. We welcome proposals year-round and review applications as they are submitted. First-time users will need to register with Submittable to access the application portal.

For technical questions regarding submittable, please contact Submittable support . Fiscal Sponsorship applications are now accepted on a rolling basis. We welcome proposals year-round and review applications as they are submitted.

What is Fiscal Sponsorship? Fiscal sponsorship is a contractual relationship that allows a nonprofit organization to share its 501c3 tax-exempt status with a person or group whose activities serve the sponsoring organization’s mission. This arrangement enables the sponsored project to receive some of the benefits of having its own 501c3 status, such as applying for grants and soliciting tax-deductible contributions.

There are several different models of fiscal sponsorship; AFCC’s Fiscal Sponsorship is a model C style program. To learn more about the field of fiscal sponsorship, check out Social Impact Commons’ Fiscal Sponsorship 101 . 501c3 is the tax determination given to a non-profit charitable organization at the federal level.

This IRS designation allows donors to receive the benefit of a tax deduction for supporting a public charity. Is AFCC Fiscal Sponsorship the same as an AFCC Grant? No, AFCC Fiscal Sponsorship is separate.

If you wish to apply for a grant through the AFCC, you can find programs currently accepting applications through this link. Does AFCC Fiscal Sponsorship fundraise on behalf of my project? No. Projects are responsible for fundraising and the day-to-day operations of their project.

How do I become fiscally sponsored? AFCC Fiscal Sponsorship is evaluating the best ways to serve our community. We are temporarily accepting projects on a limited basis.

Applications will be reviewed by staff to determine. What is required to apply to the Artist Project branch of AFCC’s fiscal sponsorship program? Artist projects can be individual artists, unincorporated artist collectives, or groups.

Artist projects are specific projects, rather than an artist’s entire practice . Do I have to live in Barnstable County, Dukes County, Nantucket County or Massachusetts to participate in AFCC Fiscal Sponsorship? The AFCC will sponsor projects across the United States but will prioritize our local area.

A United States SSN or EIN is required for all projects. A project director does not need to be located in the counties listed or in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to apply. How long can I be fiscally sponsored?

Artist Projects have a contract term, which may be extended as long as they are actively fundraising for and executing their projects. Artist Projects pay an annual renewal fee and submit an annual report to remain in the program. What is “public benefit”, and why is it important for fiscal sponsorship?

Through fiscal sponsorship, individuals receive some of the benefits of 501c3 tax exempt status. In order to receive this benefit, sponsored projects must add value to the public sphere and not only benefit someone’s private gain.

Fiscally-sponsored projects benefit the public by engaging in activities such as film screenings, exhibitions, performances, or talks which explore their project, offering programming or services to the public, etc. What are the costs involved with fiscal sponsorship? All fiscally sponsored projects participate in an administrative cost allocation.

This allocation is based on a percentage of funds raised: 6% for $501,000 – $2,000,000 4% for $2,000,001 and greater Artist Projects pay a one-time contract fee of $150 to join and an annual renewal fee of $150 for the duration of the project. There is also a flat 3% fee on credit card processing.

Artist Projects receive access to staff for assistance with project management, fundraising strategy development, and grant application feedback. We are here to support you and are happy to connect via phone, email, or Zoom conversations. Can I have multiple fiscal sponsors for the same project?

AFCC is an exclusive fiscal sponsor, and we do not allow you to use multiple fiscal sponsors for the same project. Can I include an artist fee in my budget? Yes, you can pay yourself as the project director and for being an artist on the project.

We recommend up to 20% of your total project budget for this fee. How many projects do you accept into fiscal sponsorship and how are they selected? Each project is evaluated based on its feasibility, public benefit, and fundraising plan.

Successful applications address each application question in detail. Does AFCC Fiscal Sponsorship have any creative control over the project? No. Project directors retain creative control and ownership of their project.

Can you raise funds on my behalf or introduce me to donors? No. AFCC Fiscal Sponsorship does not raise funds or solicit donors on behalf of sponsored projects. Does the AFCC Fiscal Sponsorship file my taxes for my project?

No. The AFCC does not file taxes on behalf of any sponsored project. Projects that raise funds through AFCC’s Fiscal Sponsorship are legally responsible for reporting money they receive from their project as income to the IRS. Does the AFCC process 1099’s on behalf of my vendors?

No, projects are responsible for filing their own taxes and providing 1099’s to their own vendors. How long does it take to process donations to AFCC Fiscal Sponsorship projects? When will funds become available to me?

Donations via check, direct deposit/wire transfer, and stock are processed weekly and you will receive an email when the deposit is complete. Donations via credit card are processed every 7-10 business days, and you will receive an automatic email when a donation is made. Can I run a crowdfunding campaign?

We are in conversation with with a vendor Seed & Spark. This will be the only crowdfunding platform allowed. How do I get paid (or pay people) from my Fiscal Sponsorship account?

Payments are disbursed on a weekly basis. No, you are responsible for getting your own insurance. Can projects with commercial elements still qualify for fiscal sponsorship?

Projects involving film, publishing, performance, or other creative work may still be eligible for fiscal sponsorship when they demonstrate a clear charitable and public benefit purpose aligned with the Arts Foundation’s mission. Projects that include both charitable fundraising and commercial or investment activity must clearly distinguish between the two.

Charitable contributions made through fiscal sponsorship cannot provide ownership, profit participation, or financial return to donors.

We encourage projects to articulate: their public benefit goals community engagement plans educational or outreach components how charitable funds will support mission aligned activities Each project is reviewed individually to ensure alignment with our organizational mission and nonprofit compliance requirements. See Our Virtual Information Session Here for the next era of arts and artists.

When you invest in the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, you invest in all of the arts.