Fiscal sponsorship is a powerful and efficient way to launch your vision, drive social movements, and deliver vital public services. It enables individuals or groups to focus on their mission-driven work while a nonprofit organization, known as the fiscal sponsor, provides essential administrative support, and oversight, and assumes legal and financial responsibilities.

Fiscal sponsors are tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entities and offer the ability to accept charitable contributions on behalf of specific projects while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. With strong internal controls in place, they ensure that all funds are used for their intended charitable purposes. In short, fiscal sponsorship empowers project leaders to carry out their vision while maintaining the highest standards of fiduciary accountability.

A fiscal project under fiscal sponsorship refers to a specific initiative, program, or venture that operates under the legal and tax-exempt status of a fiscal sponsor. These projects are often new or developing efforts that align with the fiscal sponsor’s mission but may not yet have their own nonprofit status. Instead of establishing an independent 501(c)(3) organization, the project works under the umbrella of the fiscal sponsor, which handles administrative tasks, financial management, and legal responsibilities.

The fiscal project retains control over the programmatic direction of its work, while the fiscal sponsor provides essential support, such as managing donations, ensuring legal compliance, and offering fiduciary oversight. This arrangement allows the project to focus on its mission without the burden of establishing and maintaining a separate nonprofit entity.

• Operates under the legal and tax-exempt status of the fiscal sponsor.

• Maintains programmatic control while the fiscal sponsor handles financial and administrative functions.

• Can receive charitable donations through the fiscal sponsor, which are tax-deductible for donors.

• Fiscal projects benefit from this relationship by gaining access to resources, infrastructure, and expertise, allowing them to focus on making an impact while the fiscal sponsor ensures compliance and accountability.

• Operate under OneOC's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

• Accept tax-deductible charitable contributions through OneOC.

• Pursue grants and agreements through OneOC, subject to review and approval.

• Benefit from OneOC’s Accounting, HR, & Operations systems and experience.

• Partner with OneOC’s range of nonprofit experts to accelerate your mission success.

If your project participates in any of the following activities, we cannot consider your proposal at this time:

• Construction activities

• Providing medical services

• Profit-making ventures

• Projects where housing is a key element (i.e., transitional housing, domestic violence shelters, foster youth homes)

• Projects that routinely practice litigation

• Provide mental health services

No. While OneOC is based in Orange County, our fiscal sponsorship program supports charitable projects across Southern California and beyond. We consider projects based on their mission, activities, operational needs, and fit with OneOC's fiscal sponsorship program, not simply their location.