Fiscal Sponsor Program
Don't have your 501(c)(3) status yet? Our Fiscal Sponsor Program connects you with established organizations that can receive grant funding on your behalf — giving you immediate access to grants you'd otherwise be ineligible for.
The first grant is always the hardest. Fiscal sponsorship is how serious organizations get started before their IRS determination letter arrives.
What Is Fiscal Sponsorship?
A fiscal sponsor is an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit that agrees to receive grant funding on behalf of a project or organization that doesn't yet have its own tax-exempt status. The sponsor takes legal and financial responsibility for the grant, while you carry out the project work.
This arrangement is widely used and fully recognized by funders — including federal agencies, state programs, and private foundations. It's not a workaround; it's a standard practice in the nonprofit sector.
Fiscal sponsorship typically involves a fee — usually 5–15% of grant funds received — paid to the sponsor for their administrative oversight. YourFundingBridge does not set or collect this fee; it is negotiated directly between you and your sponsor.
The Program Works for Both Sides
For Grant Applicants
If you've ordered a grant application from YourFundingBridge, you automatically gain access to the Fiscal Sponsor Smart Match wizard. Run it as many times as you need.
- Access grants before your IRS determination letter arrives
- Matched with 10+ vetted fiscal sponsors in our network
- Sponsors are scored against your mission, focus area, and budget
- Ranked results with match criteria badges — see exactly why each sponsor fits
- Submit inquiries directly to matched sponsors from your dashboard
- Unlimited sponsor inquiries included with Unlimited Monthly subscription
- Requires a completed grant application from YourFundingBridge
Requires a completed grant application from YourFundingBridge. Unlimited sponsor inquiries included with the $97/month Unlimited subscription.
For Fiscal Sponsors
List your 501(c)(3) organization in the YourFundingBridge Fiscal Sponsor Directory and receive ranked, pre-screened applicants whose missions align with yours — directly in your inbox.
- Listed in the YourFundingBridge Fiscal Sponsor Directory
- Smart Match scoring — appear in applicant wizard results based on your criteria
- Ranked match inbox — see top applicants by fit score
- Full applicant profile with mission statement, project description, and budget
- Set your own eligibility criteria: focus area, geography, budget range, org type
- Profile analytics — views, inquiries received, match rate
- Flat $49/month — same rate as investor listings. No commissions. No referral fees.
Listing fee: $49/month. No commissions. No referral fees. Cancel anytime.
How the Smart Match Works
Complete Your Profile
Applicants complete a detailed intake form covering their mission, project description, target population, geography, and budget. Sponsors set their eligibility criteria — focus area, geography, budget range, and org type.
Smart Match Scoring
Our matching system scores every sponsor against every applicant profile across six criteria: mission alignment, geographic focus, budget compatibility, organizational type, project focus, and sponsor capacity.
Ranked Results
Applicants see a ranked list of matched sponsors with fit scores and matched criteria badges. Sponsors see a ranked inbox of matched applicants — sorted by fit score, not by who paid more.
Direct Inquiry
Applicants submit a formal inquiry directly to matched sponsors through the platform. Sponsors review the full applicant profile — including their YourFundingBridge grant application — and respond directly.
Who Can Use the Fiscal Sponsor Program?
Applicants Who Qualify
- Organizations in the IRS determination process
- Unincorporated community groups or projects
- Individuals with a charitable project
- Fiscally sponsored projects already in progress
- Any organization with a completed YourFundingBridge grant application
Sponsors Who Can List
- Active 501(c)(3) organizations in good standing
- Organizations with fiscal sponsorship experience
- Organizations with capacity to manage additional projects
- Organizations with clear eligibility criteria for sponsored projects
- Organizations with a designated fiscal sponsorship contact