Individuals, groups, or emerging organizations with a charitable project that aligns with our mission are welcome to apply. We specifically serve:

• Grassroots leaders launching community initiatives
• Community organizers addressing local needs
• Solo changemakers with memorial funds or tribute projects
• Small volunteer groups wanting to make an impact without nonprofit complexity
• Pilot projects testing new ideas before committing to full nonprofit status

Your project should have a clear charitable purpose, align with IRS 501(c)(3) requirements, and serve the broader community (not just specific individuals).

Immediate 501(c)(3) Status: Projects can accept tax-deductible donations under our 501(c)(3) status right away, no waiting for IRS approval.

Save Time & Money: Avoid the $5,000-10,000+ cost and 6-18 month wait to form your own nonprofit. Launch in days instead of months.

Administrative Support: We handle financial management, compliance, IRS reporting, donor receipts, and all back-office requirements.

Focus on Impact: Spend your time delivering your mission, not buried in paperwork and regulatory requirements.

Professional Stewardship: Our partnerships with accounting and investment firms ensure transparent, professional financial management.

Hands-On Guidance: Our volunteer board provides personalized support, strategic advice, and partnership, not just transactional services.

Cost Savings: Starting your own 501(c)(3) typically costs:

• $1,500-3,000 in legal fees
• $600+ IRS filing fee (Form 1023)
• $1,000-2,000 for accounting setup
• $500-1,500 annual compliance costs (Form 990, state filings)
• Ongoing bookkeeping and audit expenses

Total first-year cost: $5,000-$10,000+

With fiscal sponsorship, you pay only a small administrative fee based on your project’s budget, typically saving thousands.

Time Savings: The IRS 501(c)(3) application process (Form 1023) takes 3-12 months for approval, plus months of preparation. With fiscal sponsorship, you launch immediately, saving 6-18 months of waiting.

You also save hundreds of hours annually on compliance, accounting, board management, and administrative tasks that we handle for you.

No! You don’t need existing funding to apply for fiscal sponsorship. In fact, one of the biggest benefits of fiscal sponsorship is that it allows you to START fundraising immediately.

Once your project is approved and the fiscal sponsorship agreement is in place, you can immediately begin accepting tax-deductible donations, applying for grants, and building your funding base, all under our 501(c)(3) umbrella.

Many projects come to us with just an idea and passion. We help you get the infrastructure in place so you can start raising the funds you need to bring your vision to life.

We support a wide range of charitable projects including:

• Education: Scholarship funds, tutoring programs, school supply drives
• Youth Services: Mentorship programs, after-school activities, summer camps
• Community Development: Neighborhood improvement, public art, community events
• Food Security: Food pantries, meal programs, community gardens
• Arts & Culture: Arts education, cultural festivals, performance programs
• Health & Wellness: Awareness campaigns, support groups, wellness programs
• Environmental: Conservation projects, cleanup initiatives, sustainability programs
• Memorial & Tribute Funds: Projects honoring loved ones through charitable giving

Your project must have a charitable purpose under IRS guidelines and serve the broader community, not just specific named individuals or private interests.

There’s no set time limit! Projects can remain under fiscal sponsorship as long as they’re actively serving their mission and meeting their goals.

Short-term projects: Some initiatives are time-limited by nature (a one-time memorial fund, a specific event or campaign). These can stay with us for months or a few years.

Long-term projects: Many projects stay with us indefinitely, especially if they’re focused on a specific cause and don’t need the infrastructure of a full standalone nonprofit.

Transitioning projects: Some projects eventually grow to the point where forming their own 501(c)(3) makes sense. When that time comes, we’ll support you through the transition process.

We’re flexible and focused on what serves your mission best, there’s no pressure to leave or stay. We adapt to your needs.

As your fiscal sponsor, we have a legal responsibility to ensure funds are used appropriately and in compliance with IRS regulations. Here’s how we provide oversight:

Financial Management: We review and approve expenditures to ensure they align with your project’s charitable purpose and IRS requirements.

Grant & Donation Processing: We receive and acknowledge all donations on your behalf, issue tax receipts, and track contributions for reporting purposes.

Regular Reporting: We provide quarterly financial statements showing income, expenses, and current balance, upon request. You’ll always know exactly where your project stands financially.

Compliance Support: We handle all IRS reporting (Form 990), state filings, and regulatory requirements to keep your project in good standing.

Strategic Guidance: Our volunteer board works directly with you to maximize impact, identify opportunities, and navigate challenges as they arise.

Our goal is supportive oversight, not micromanagement. We’re here to ensure accountability and compliance while empowering you to focus on your mission.

That’s wonderful! We fully support projects that grow to the point where they’re ready to operate independently as their own 501(c)(3).

If and when you’re ready to transition, we’ll help guide you through the process:

• Advising on when it makes sense to form your own nonprofit (typically when you have sustainable funding, paid staff, and/or complex operations)
• Connecting you with legal and accounting professionals who can help with the 501(c)(3) application
• Providing financial records and documentation you’ll need for the transition
• Assisting with the transfer of assets and closing out the fiscal sponsorship relationship

There are no penalties for transitioning to your own nonprofit, we celebrate your growth! Our role is to provide a launchpad and support system, not to hold you back.

Our fiscal sponsorship fees are structured to be affordable for grassroots projects while covering the real costs of professional administration and compliance.

Fees typically range from 5-10% of your project’s annual revenue, depending on the size and complexity of your project. This covers:

• Professional accounting and bookkeeping
• IRS compliance and Form 990 filing
• Donation processing and tax receipts
• Financial reporting and transparency
• Volunteer board oversight and guidance
• Administrative infrastructure and support

For context: forming your own nonprofit costs $5,000-10,000+ in the first year alone. Our fees are a fraction of that cost and include ongoing professional management.

We’ll discuss the specific fee structure during your initial consultation based on your project’s scope and needs. Our goal is to make fiscal sponsorship accessible while maintaining high standards of stewardship.

Great question! While community foundations serve geographic regions and focus on broad community needs, the Anthony Spano Foundation has a different mission and approach:

We’re NOT geographic gatekeepers: We don’t limit our services based on location. If your project aligns with our mission, we’re here to support you, regardless of where you’re based.

We specialize in grassroots & small projects: Our niche is serving individuals, small groups, and emerging initiatives that might not fit traditional foundation models. We focus on removing barriers, not creating them.

We’re 100% volunteer-led: Our entire board is volunteer-driven, which keeps costs low and ensures a personal, hands-on approach. You’re not just a number, you’re a partner.

We offer dual pathways: We provide both fiscal sponsorship for projects AND donor-advised funds for legacy giving, serving both sides of the philanthropic equation under one roof.

We’re built specifically for people who want to create impact without navigating traditional nonprofit or community foundation bureaucracy.

Yes! As a fiscally sponsored project under our 501(c)(3), you can accept tax-deductible donations from anywhere in the United States (and even internationally in some cases).

Many fiscally sponsored projects fundraise through:

• Online donation platforms (we can help set this up)
• Social media campaigns
• Community events and fundraisers
• Grant applications to foundations
• Corporate sponsorships
• Individual donor solicitations

Because we’re the legal entity holding the 501(c)(3) status, donors give to “Anthony Spano Foundation for [Your Project Name]” and receive tax receipts from us. This gives donors confidence their contribution is going to a legitimate, compliant nonprofit.