Fiscal Sponsorship | Services, community mobilizing, and fundraising expertise for park groups

The San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA) provides fiscal sponsorship to community groups whose missions align with SFPA’s own. As a fiscal sponsor, SFPA allows community groups to seek grants and solicit tax-deductible donations under our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Since most grant-makers fund organizations, but not individuals, fiscal sponsorship helps groups raise money without having to go through the complicated process of starting their own nonprofit. SFPA staff also assist with project management, grant management, referrals to contractors, fundraising consultation, and insurance needs as appropriate.

SFPA staff will work with new groups to determine if fiscal sponsorship is needed and if SFPA and the group are a good fit. There is an application process and once approval is granted, the group enters into a legal contract with SFPA. A fiscal sponsorship fee is charged to help cover the cost of staff time and overhead. Currently, SFPA fiscally sponsors over one hundred Partners. Our Partners are diverse, includings gardens, urban agriculture, capital renovation projects, and ongoing programs and events. For a list of current SFPA Partners, please click HERE.

If you are interested in becoming a Fiscally Sponsored Partner of SFPA, applications are now being accepted up until July 15, 2019. Groups will be notified of their acceptance into the program before September 2019.

2019 Application

Approach

SFPA’s project management oversight, training and support increase a group’s ability to achieve success. In addition to offering the standard accounting and insurance services of fiscal agents, SFPA staff may provide the following optional services to Partners:

• Donation and information page on SFPA website
• Two free admissions to annual Partner Conference with fundraising seminar
• Invitations to capacity development events
• Consulting and compliance assistance for Community Challenge Grants and SF City/County Grants
• Use of SFPA conference space (subject to availability)
• Donor acknowledgements sent on Partners’ behalf
• Basic marketing and communications services
• Board development assistance

If you’re a Park Partner interested in CPR and First-aid training, our partners at Safety Training Seminars provide free classes to San Francisco Bay Area non-profits.