Fiscal Sponsor Policy and Requirements
The Clowes Fund makes grants to tax-exempt organizations that are described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are either public charities, or in rare cases, exempt private operating foundations. Occasionally, the Fund may make grants to section 501(c)(3) organizations that serve as fiscal sponsors to new programs, groups or emerging tax-exempt organizations.
If you represent a non-profit corporation that is seeking federal exemption as a 501(c)(3) public charity, or is a non-exempt organization, yet seeks funding for a project consistent with the mission of the Fund, it must be affiliated with an existing 501(c)(3) organization that has agreed to serve as the grantee with ultimate fiscal and program responsbility for the project; i.e. the fiscal sponsor.
Since grants to fiscal sponsors are the exception rather than the rule, the grant guidelines and application form do not disclose all documentation required for funding through this process. Requirements for fiscal sponsorships are found below.
Preliminary Proposal: State your intention to use a fiscal sponsor and include the organization's legal name within the first paragraph of the narrative.
Final Proposal: Include the following documentation with your request:
- Fiscal Sponsor Grant Application Form
- Fiscal Sponsor's current operation budget
- Letter of agreement or Memorandum of Understanding signed by an officer of the tax-exempt organization agreeing to accept responsibility for the project.
