Fiscal Sponsorship Program

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

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

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

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