Fiscal Sponsorship with Fisterra Projects​

 

 

Fisterra Projects offers fiscal sponsorship for independent artists, cultural workers, and community-based creative initiatives rooted in public benefit, cultural integrity, and shared accountability.

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Fiscal sponsorship allows projects without their own 501(c)(3) status to receive grants, donations, and other funding through Fisterra Projects while operating within a clear administrative and compliance framework. Our role is to provide the infrastructure artists need to access resources responsibly, not to manage creative work on their behalf.

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This program is best suited for projects that are ready to engage in a professional sponsorship relationship grounded in transparency, communication, and mutual responsibility.

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What Fiscal Sponsorship Is (and Is Not)

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Fiscal sponsorship with Fisterra Projects provides:

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• Administrative and financial oversight for grants and donations

• Grant compliance and reporting support

• IRS and public-funding compliance

• Accounts receivable and disbursement management

• Clear documentation, timelines, and expectations

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Fiscal sponsorship does not include:

• Creative direction or project management

• Marketing, publicity, or audience development

• Crisis management or mediation of interpersonal conflicts

• Assumption of personal, legal, or contractual liabilities on behalf of the artist

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Eligibility

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We consider fiscal sponsorship requests from projects that meet the following criteria:

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• The project provides a clear public or community benefit

• The applicant demonstrates readiness to meet administrative and reporting requirements

• The project has a defined scope, timeline, and budget

• The applicant agrees to respond to sponsor communications in a timely manner

• The applicant is able to provide required documentation (invoices, W-9s, reports) when requested

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Projects may be declined or conditionally approved if administrative capacity or communication readiness is not yet in place.

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Required Commitments

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All fiscally sponsored projects must agree to:

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• Submit required financial and reporting documentation by stated deadlines

• Maintain consistent communication throughout the sponsorship period

• Comply with all funder requirements, including public acknowledgments and event listings when applicable

• Understand that delayed or missing documentation may result in delayed payments or suspension of funds

• Acknowledge that Fisterra Projects may submit required reports to funders if deadlines approach and communication is unavailable

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These requirements protect both the project and the sponsoring organization.

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Fiscal Sponsorship Fee

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Fisterra Projects charges a flat 10% fiscal sponsorship fee on all funds received through sponsorship.

This fee supports:

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• financial administration

• compliance oversight

• reporting infrastructure

• organizational risk management

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The fee applies uniformly and equitably to all sponsored projects.

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Application & Review Process

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Fiscal sponsorship applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. 

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The review process may include:

• an administrative readiness assessment

• clarification questions

• a conditional approval period for new projects

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We prioritize projects that demonstrate alignment with our values and the capacity to participate in a shared administrative relationship.

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References & Prior Support (Optional but Encouraged)

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Applicants are welcome to include:

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• references from prior funders, partners, or venues

• examples of completed projects

• confirmation of prior grant compliance or reporting

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While not required, references can help expedite review for projects seeking public funding.

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Who This Program Is Best For

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This program is a good fit if you:

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• are seeking public or philanthropic funding

• want to operate within a clear compliance structure

• value transparency and shared responsibility

• are building toward long-term sustainability

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It may not be a good fit if you:

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• are unable to meet reporting deadlines

• prefer informal or ad-hoc administrative arrangements

• are seeking a sponsor to absorb project risk or manage communication