What is Fiscal Sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship is a strategic partnership that allows mission-driven projects to launch and grow without the delays and barriers of independent incorporation. Instead of navigating complex legal and administrative processes, leaders can leverage NOPI’s established infrastructure to begin their work quickly and effectively.
Through this model, NOPI provides the financial systems, compliance support, and operational backbone needed to sustain and scale your work. With access to tax-exempt status, professional financial management, and ongoing technical assistance, you can focus on advancing your mission while we handle the administrative foundation.
Application to Onboarding Timeline
Applications are accepted year-round.
Applicants will be contacted within 4-6 weeks to schedule a discovery call on Google Meet.
Onboarding occurs once per quarter (January, April, July, and October).
We are now accepting applications for our October 2026 Cohort.
Onboarding takes about two weeks from contract signing to activation.
Keep reading to learn more about the “cost” and the various sponsorship models.
There is no fee for Fiscal Sponsorship, but rather an administrative cost share between your organization and ours. This practice lowers your nonprofit overhead while building capacity overnight.
Getting Started
one-time onboarding fee
Admin Cost Share
of revenue or $100/mo minimum
(whichever is greater)
Employees
per employee per month, plus the cost of insurance and benefits
Comprehensive
Pre-Approved & Hybrid
Model C+: Independent organization with NOPI-managed financial infrastructure.
Model C+: Includes added financial administration during the process.
Model C+: NOPI serves as the employer of record; sponsored program manages their own staff.
Model C+: Managed entirely by NOPI.
Model C+: Financial reporting coordinated with NOPI support.
Model C+: Funds are covered under NOPI's insurance policies.
Model C+: Reduced burden through NOPI back-office support.
Model C+: Maintains independence with administrative partnership from NOPI.
Model C+: Orgs seeking independence with full operational support.
Frequently Asked
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As long as you need! There is no time limit for fiscal sponsorship; many programs and organizations remain for years. We request a minimum 12‑month commitment, with a 90‑day notice to end sponsorship.
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We believe that the ownership of intellectual property (IP) should belong to the founders. From a legal standpoint, under a Model A, NOPI owns the IP for the project. However, if and when the sponsorship ends, the IP will revert to you and your organization.
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Under fiscal sponsorship, programs can anticipate receiving back-office and administrative support, such as access to discounted and donated software, bookkeeping assistance, audit compliance, state and federal compliance, extension of our 501c3 status*, insurance coverage*, HR and payroll management, and ongoing technical support.
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Our mission to accelerate the sustainability, impact, and success of charitable programs allows us to sponsor a wide range of missions and focus areas, from environmental justice to equity in education to access to healthcare. Visit our programs directory for an overview of the various missions we currently support.
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Yes! NOPI is the Employer of Record for our Model A (Comprehensive) fiscally sponsored programs. We can also serve as the Employer of Record for Model C/C+ when needed. We provide access to group medical, dental, life insurance, disability, home office/wellness stipends, 401K, and more. Click here for more information and to estimate the cost.
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We partner with Mazlo to offer 24/7 financial transparency and a dedicated bank account for your project or program. The platform provides access to debit cards and bill payment for program-related expenses, along with reimbursement and reporting features.
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Most of our fiscally sponsored programs utilize Givebutter for their fundraising and donor management needs. Additionally, our banking system incorporates a simplified fundraising platform to consolidate all financial and donor data in a single platform. Both options can be seamlessly integrated with your existing or future website. We also offer access to grant search and tracking platforms at deeply discounted rates.
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We offer a range of tools and support through our infrastructure and network to help with fundraising and grants. Although we don’t currently provide grantwriting services, we can connect you with trusted partners who do.
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Our practice is unable to sponsor organizations that focus on animal or human testing, housing, rehabilitation, or research; organizations involved in high-risk activities; political organizations or those primarily engaged in political activities. Additionally, we cannot sponsor organizations established or providing services outside the United States, or those with multiple fiscal sponsors.
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Yes. There is a $100 monthly minimum for fiscal sponsorship to cover insurance, compliance, platform tools, and ongoing support. Programs should have a minimum annual budget of $12,000 to meet this requirement.
*depending on the model of sponsorship.
Have Questions?
Come by our Open Office Hours any Tuesday or Thursday from 11 am to 1 pm ET via Google Meet. These sessions are a great opportunity to learn more about our practice, values, and mission alignment. If these times don’t suit you, feel free to email us to schedule a virtual discovery call with our team at a time that works for you.