Fiscal Sponsorship Program

Fiscal Sponsorship Program

Organization: SF Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Pride

Geographic Scope: Programs serving LGBTQ+ communities in San Francisco, Bay Area, California, or beyond

Overview: SF Pride offers fiscal sponsorship services for independent LGBTQ+-focused projects and programs seeking nonprofit status and tax-deductible donation capability. SF Pride acts as the fiscal sponsor, holding assets and providing administrative support as needed. Applications are reviewed quarterly.

Eligibility

• Mission Alignment: Program must align with SF Pride's mission, vision, and values
• Tax Status: Applicants must be unincorporated projects, fiscally sponsored by other organizations, or have nonprofit aspirations
• Community Connection: Must serve or support the LGBTQ+ community

Three Fiscal Sponsorship Models

Model A: Direct Project (Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship)

Best for: Projects that become programs of SF Pride with full integration

Structure: Program becomes formal project of SF Pride; SF Pride holds all assets, intellectual property, and legal liability

Fund Management: All funds raised are SF Pride funds; donors receive SF Pride tax receipts

Support: SF Pride provides full financial management, HR support, and administrative oversight

Fee: 8-12% administrative fee on all funds raised/granted

Model C: Pre-Approved Grant Relationship

Best for: Independent organizations seeking nonprofit status for specific grants/donations

Structure: Organization maintains separate identity and operations; SF Pride serves as passthrough for specific, pre-approved funds

Fund Management: Donors designate funds for program; SF Pride issues tax receipts

Support: SF Pride reviews and approves all incoming/outgoing funds; organization maintains independent bank accounts and operations

Reporting: Quarterly financial reporting required

Fee: 5-8% administrative fee on funds processed

Model L: Supporting Organization (Limited Affiliation)

Best for: Programs with minimal need for ongoing administrative support

Structure: Program operates independently under SF Pride's 501(c)(3) umbrella

Support: SF Pride provides tax-deductible donation capability only; minimal oversight

Reporting: Annual financial reporting and insurance requirements

Fee: 3-5% administrative fee plus annual renewal fee

What SF Pride Provides

• Financial management & bookkeeping
• Payroll services
• Donation processing & acknowledgment
• Grant application & management support
• Insurance & liability coverage
• HR support & employment management
• Contract review & vendor management
• Tax filing & regulatory compliance
• (Scope varies by model)

Required Supporting Documents

• Detailed budget (current and projected)
• Program timeline or calendar of activities
• Current financial statements (if applicable)
• IRS determination letter (if previously tax-exempt)
• Marketing materials, past event photos, or program documentation (if applicable)
• Letters of support from community partners or stakeholders (if applicable)

Contact Information

Email: [email protected] Phone: (415) 294-1844 Address: 1663 Mission Street, Suite 305, San Francisco, CA 94103

Additional Notes

• Applications reviewed quarterly with 60-90 day review timeline
• Approval is not guaranteed
• SF Pride maintains oversight authority over all fiscally sponsored programs
• Budget template available for download

Fiscal Sponsorship Application Process

#### Application Steps
1. Review Fiscal Sponsorship Models - Determine which model (A, C, or L) best fits your program needs
2. Gather Program Information - Compile details about your project, mission, and operations
3. Prepare Supporting Documents - Collect all required documentation (see below)
4. Complete Online Application Form - Submit through SF Pride's online portal
5. Submit Application - SF Pride will contact you within 60-90 days regarding status

#### Required Application Information

Program Information Section:

Program/Project Name

Year Founded

Program Mission Statement

LGBTQ+ Community Connection (how program serves LGBTQ+ community)

Program Description

Website and Social Media Handles

Requested Sponsorship Model (A, C, L, or unsure)

Explanation of model choice

Program Leadership & Primary Contact:

Full Name

Title/Role

Email

Phone

Current Governance Structure

Key Staff & Volunteers information

Financial Information:

Current Annual Budget (range selection)

Projected Annual Budget for Next Year (range selection)

Timeline for fiscal sponsorship need (immediately, 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12+ months)

Current & Anticipated Funding Sources

Major Budget Categories

Current Legal Status (unincorporated, fiscally sponsored elsewhere, registered nonprofit non-501(c)(3), 501(c)(3) pending, for-profit, other)

Program Operations & Impact:

Geographic Scope (San Francisco, Bay Area, California-wide, National, International)

Estimated People Served Annually (range)

Program Frequency (one-time, annual, quarterly, monthly, weekly/ongoing)

Community Impact & Outcomes description

Current Partnerships & Collaborations

Administrative Support Needs:

Check all that apply from list of support services

Strategic Alignment: Why SF Pride? (narrative)

Mission Alignment (narrative)

Long-Term Vision (narrative)

Potential Risks & Mitigations (narrative)

#### Required Supporting Documents
1. Detailed Budget - Current and projected (PDF, Word, or Excel; max 10MB)
2. Program Timeline - Calendar of activities (PDF, Word, or Excel; max 10MB)
3. Financial Statements - If applicable (PDF, Word, or Excel; max 10MB)
4. IRS Determination Letter - If previously tax-exempt (PDF; max 10MB)
5. Additional Supporting Materials - Optional: marketing materials, photos, letters of support (PDF, Word, or image; max 10MB per file)

Note: Budget Template (CSV format) available for download to organize financial information

#### Agreements & Acknowledgments
Applicants must confirm:

All information provided is accurate and complete

Understanding of administrative fees (3-12% depending on model and services)

Understanding that SF Pride maintains oversight authority and reserves right to approve/deny activities, expenditures, or fundraising

Program aligns with SF Pride mission, vision, and values

Understanding that quarterly review process does not guarantee approval

Authorization for SF Pride to contact via email, phone, or mail

#### Review Timeline

Application Review: Quarterly

Decision Timeline: 60-90 days