Changemakers

Meet FS Charitable Fund—the FISCAL SPONSORSHIP program designed to help you quickly and efficiently start your charitable initiative and fulfill your purpose.

We’re Changing the Game for

Why Wait Longer To Launch Your Impact When You Don’t Have To?

Quickly secure tax-deductible funding for your charitable project—even if your organization isn’t recognized as a 501(c)(3) charity.

Fundraise For a Specific Cause

We’re FS Charitable Fund, an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity, that offers a fiscal sponsorship program (pre-approved grant relationship) in partnership with Foundation Source, the nation’s leading provider of philanthropic software and services. Upon approval of your project, we’ll create a restricted fund, which receives donations and disburses grants in support of your project.

Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement

Operational Independence

Seamless & Responsive Collaboration

Focus on Mission-Driven Work

We Work With:

Emerging nonprofits awaiting IRS 501(c)(3) recognition (e.g., during the typical 6-12+ month window pending the IRS’s approval of charity status).

Grassroots organizations testing short-term initiatives, like community campaigns or research pilots.

Mission-aligned charitable projects from non-charitable entities seeking quick access to philanthropic funding—ideal for organizations who want credibility and donor attraction, while maintaining their autonomy.

How We Work:

Streamlined Application: Submit project details, budget, and qualifications; we conduct due diligence to confirm IRS charitable purpose.

Restricted Fund Management: All gifts flow to FS Charitable Fund, which then makes grants periodically to support your project, while retaining full variance power for 501(c)(3) compliance.

Reporting and Oversight: Provide periodic reports on the use of grant funds received from FS Charitable Fund, which may be provided to funding sources if desired.

Vetting and Assessment: Your donors will be relieved that an experienced team will be vetting the project and tracking the expenditure of grant funds.

Established Structure: Fiscal sponsorship grant agreement (pre-approved grant relationship).

What Types of Projects Do We Support?

Through a fiscal sponsorship arrangement, these initiatives can more readily attract funding from charitable sources.

Startup Charities: From formation to IRS approval, the process of becoming an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity could take a year or more. Therefore, a charity that has not yet applied for—or applied for but not yet received—IRS recognition of its 501(c)(3) status may have trouble attracting funding and could benefit from a short-term solution like fiscal sponsorship.

For instance, a startup museum may have difficulty obtaining funding from private foundations without official IRS approval of its charity status because the foundation would need to follow special procedures in making the grant to avoid the possibility of severe tax penalties. Additionally, individuals and businesses may be unwilling to make donations in the absence of IRS approval due to concerns about missing out on a charitable deduction.

Humanitarian Crises: During these types of conflicts, relief organizations may also need immediate funding while they are awaiting tax-exempt status. For instance, these organizations may be serving on the frontlines, targeting critical aid and conducting evacuations.

Natural Disasters: From floods to wildfires, natural disasters require rapid response to help individuals and communities in need. Organizations often form quickly in the days and weeks following a natural disaster and may need help accepting qualified charitable donations before they receive their tax-exempt status from the IRS while they scale operations. Moving quickly and efficiently is key, particularly when there are critical deadlines to meet.

Connecting with Philanthropic Funding: For example, suppose a local business operates a food pantry and wants to attract donors by offering tax-deductible contributions. The business could apply for sponsorship of its food pantry program to help the needy.

Want to learn more?

Why Work With Us?

Supported by Foundation Source, you’ll benefit from deep domain and regulatory expertise. We best equip our fiscally sponsored partners with the resources they need to amplify impact.

Tailored For Your Stage

Perfect for pre-501(c)(3) entities or pilots—e.g., a documentary film production company awaiting IRS approval or a global women’s empowerment initiative needing quick donor access. Launch in weeks, not months.

Risk-Managed Growth

You handle project operations while we exercise fiscal oversight.

Donor and Funder Magnet

Attract gifts from individuals, corporations, governments, and foundations. For example, a foundation grants to us, and we handle due diligence and fiscal oversight—with zero hassle or exposure for the foundation.

Operational Ease

We have a streamlined process for quickly and easily reviewing applications and implementing accepted applicants.

Immediate Tax Advantages

Donors get full charitable deductions to the extent allowed by law; private foundations avoid expenditure responsibility hassles, risks and penalties by granting through us.

Fundraising Boost

Promote your mission-driven work via your fundraising materials that meet our requirements to attract individuals, corporations and foundations. We work with an experienced and versatile payment processor to accept a wide range of donation types. Tax receipts are provided to all donors.