Fiscal Sponsorship+
Former Fiscally Sponsored Project:
The Era Footwork Collective
Fiscal sponsorship refers to the practice of non-profit organizations offering their legal and tax-exempt status to groups—typically projects—engaged in activities related to the sponsoring organization's mission.
About
Our Fiscal Sponsorship+ program is a robust online community built around individual organizations. Traditional fiscal sponsorships are supported through access to information on navigating artistic and philanthropic sectors, amplifying the voices of often marginalized groups, and boosting the autonomy of projects.
Our Fiscal Sponsorship+ plays a more critical role in getting funding to organizations that are often overlooked, are most tied to their communities, and have innovative approaches to their work. We provide insight on the unwritten rules of navigating the artistic, scientific, and philanthropic worlds. We don't just give to them; we are building the structure that allows them to give to each other.
You can apply for the ABC Fiscal Sponsorship+ program online and become one of the many organizations taking advantage of the opportunities available.
What kind of unique support does ABC offer?
Consulting Services
Two hours of free quarterly Consulting provided by our Network of Consultants who specialize in grant writing, financial management, marketing and communications, human resources, operations, board development & more. Sponsored projects enjoy a 25% discount on any additional consulting contracted with an ABC consultant.
Funder Research
We offer research on funders we think would be interested in Sponsored Projects work. When possible, we will provide a direct introduction to funders.
Program Check-Ins
Regular check-ins with ABC Program staff and/or CEO to discuss project goals and connect on ways to support. This could be in the form of marketing shout-outs, program feedback, or business strategy, etc.
There are several options for fiscal sponsorship here at ABC that serve different entities, such as LLC, L3C, Unincorporated/sole proprietorship, 501c3, and not-for-profit C-corporations. Fiscal Sponsorship+, in addition to providing an umbrella for your organization's legal status, also allows you to apply for grants and other types of funding that may not be available if your organization was not sponsored.
Speaker Series
ABC offers a monthly conversation with guest speakers and program participants from various backgrounds on topics related to enduring systems of inequality that can harm communities of color.
With a focus on artists, makers, scientists, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, the “A Better Conversation: Spark Series” offers a public conversation to cultivate collaborative strategies for sustainability and success.
We’ve known for years that collaborative work is the strongest method of getting past systemic hurdles. When major limitations arise, however, the act of knowledge sharing becomes much more critical than it would otherwise be. Pulling from our peers, collaborators, and those who call ABC their partner, the speaker series bridges a communication and knowledge gap by communicating the knowledge often left unsaid.
A Better Conversation
Help Desk Speaker is a 6-week live seminar series starting ________. This series will serve as means to disseminate our research department's work and make connections to the topics that are concerns and challenges within Arts and STEM Workers and Businesses topics/themes:
Fiscal Sponsorship: How it can benefit you as an arts entrepreneur.
Community Centric Fundraising: A Plan for Sustainability for POC-Run Businesses
AI and its Effects on Intellectual Property
Artists as Businesses and their Financial Literacy: How to think like an arts entrepreneur
Black Arts Ecosystem: How understanding our community can promote Collective Change
Discretionary Funding: How to Gain Support from Your City Council
Anyone who wants to jump into the speaker series can see what’s coming up and who the next speaker should sign up for access to the series. You can do so by contacting programs@artsbusinesscollaborative.org. You can also sign up for the ABC Newsletter and follow the collaborative across social media for the latest updates on speakers. Though there’s no expectation that you take advantage of other services provided, you can feel free to attend any of ABC’s conversations and maximize your ability to bridge the gap.