Although many people think otherwise, 501(c)(3) public charities are in fact permitted to engage to lobbying activities, provided such activities are an insubstantial amount of their overall activities. They are also generally permitted to fund any work of other entities, including non-public charities, that they could engage in themselves,...
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
Fiscal sponsorship describes a number of varying contractual relationships that have through custom and practice developed between “sponsors” and “projects,” allowing charitable projects to receive deductible contributions. Having a charitable project fiscally sponsored by a sound and reputable fiscal sponsor may be an attractive alternative to starting a nonprofit, especially when an idea is being tested or incubated. There are several ways to properly structure such relationships, and it is important to get it right from the start. There are also a number of traps that can leave a project’s leaders vulnerable to losing typical rights associated with fiscal sponsorship, including the right to transfer the project to another 501(c)(3) entity, and/or losing funds raised for the project’s mission.
National Network of Fiscal Sponsors Annual Gathering 2015
The National Network of Fiscal Sponsors held its Annual Gathering in Brooklyn on November 7. Approximately 100 leaders of fiscal sponsors from across the country came to learn about common issues, best practices, and new developments, and to share experiences. Fiscal sponsorship refers to a contractual relationship that allows a...
Fiscal Sponsorship: What You Should Know and Why You Should Know It
Erin Bradrick‘s article on fiscal sponsorship published by the American Bar Association’s Business Law Today was made available online last week. Read it here. For lawyers who work with nonprofits and exempt organizations or individuals with philanthropic aspirations, “I want to start a nonprofit” may be the single phrase...
Fiscal Sponsorship: The Risks of Being a Fiscal Sponsor
Fiscal sponsorship can be an incredibly valuable tool for incubating charitable nonprofit projects and creating efficiencies through the provision of administrative support to several discrete projects. The key to its value lies in how well the fiscal sponsor meets its responsibilities and obligations and understands how to appropriately manage...
NEO Law Group’s Video on Tips for Nonprofits: Fiscal Sponsorship
Today, NEO Law Group released a new 3 minute video in its series of videos on tips for nonprofits, available on YouTube. This video focuses on fiscal sponsorship and how it can be done properly. We hope that you enjoy it and please stay tuned for additional videos from NEO Law Group on tips for nonprofits.
Best of the Nonprofit Law Blog 2014
Here are some selected highlights from NEO Law Group over the past year that we hope you’ll find helpful. 2014 was also highlighted by an addition to Erin’s family and Michele’s graduation and passage of the bar exam! Amazing year for all of us. Blog Posts Governance What Issues Should a...
NEO Law Group’s Video on Tips for Starting a Nonprofit – Alternatives to Forming a Nonprofit
Today, NEO Law Group released a new 3 minute video in its series of videos on tips for nonprofits, available on YouTube. While incorporating a nonprofit and applying for tax exemption may be the right choice in some instances, there may often be a better way to achieve your charitable goals. This video focuses on some possible alternatives to...
National Network of Fiscal Sponsors – Hot Topic Call: Legal
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting a Hot Topic Call on legal issues for the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. If you’re interested in viewing the accompanying slide deck, you can download it by clicking Hot Topics in Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship (pdf). Preview: The focus of the call was on comprehensive...
Fiscal Sponsorship: A Valuable Option for Grantmakers and Grantees
Yesterday, I had the honor of participating on a panel discussing fiscal sponsorship at the 2014 Grantmakers in the Arts 2014 Conference in Houston. Frances Phillips (Walter and Elise Haas Fund), Melanie Beene (consultant, former CEO of Community Initiatives), and Ian David Moss (Fractured Atlas) were my co-panelists, and we were...
Fiscal Sponsor Due Diligence
Fiscal sponsorship describes a relationship between an individual or group who have initiated a charitable project, and an existing tax-exempt organization that has agreed to support said project. In the most common form of fiscal sponsorship, “Model A” or comprehensive fiscal sponsorship, the sponsor brings the project in-house. The...