How It Works
You Lead. We’ll Support.
Through this program, Park Pride serves as a fiscal sponsor for Friends of Park groups. A fiscal sponsor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that receives grants and donations on behalf of a group whose work supports the sponsor’s charitable purpose, which for Park Pride is improving parks and greenspace. With Park Pride as your fiscal sponsor, your group can raise money for park projects without forming a separate nonprofit organization. Park Pride retains a 5% fee on funds received to cover the cost of administering them.
Program Benefits
Focus on Your Park. We’ll Handle the Rest.
- This program provides low-cost administrative services to registered Friends of the Park groups enrolled in the program.
- Park Pride establishes a designated fund for each sponsored Friends group to track income and expenses.
- Park Pride receives donations on behalf of the sponsored Friends group and assumes fiduciary responsibility for all project funds.
- Groups can accept donations without having to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and Park Pride will send acknowledgment of tax-deductible contribution to all contributors.
- The Fiscal Sponsor Program allows groups to focus on raising funds and making park improvements!
Need More Information?
Frequently Asked Questions
What services are included in a Fiscal Sponsorship?
- Sponsored account to accept tax deductible contributions
- Disbursements from sponsored account as authorized by Project Liaison and approved by Park Pride
- Donor acknowledgment
- Receipts for in-kind donations
- Processing and tracking of company matching gift applications
- Tax reporting
- Monthly account statements of project donors
Who can benefit from a Fiscal Sponsorship?
- Organizations that wish to avoid the time and expense of applying for a 501(c)(3)
- Organizations that have applied for (or are in the process of applying for) 501(c)(3) status
What is the cost?
Park Pride’s standard fee for these services is 5% of contributions received (plus any applicable credit card fees).
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Only registered Friends of the Park groups are eligible for fiscal sponsorship by Park Pride and must submit a fiscal sponsorship application
- Funds must be used for: improvement and/or maintenance of a public park or greenspace; acquisition of land for public greenspace; programming designed to increase park usage
- Must obtain approval to use Park Pride’s name and/or logo on all grant proposals, publicity, signage, and outreach materials
- Must obtain Park Pride’s prior approval for all fundraising events and sales
- Must submit annual report
Learn More
Fiscal Sponsorship Resources
| Title | Document Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fiscal Sponsor Authorization to Release Payment Form | Forms | Authorization for reimbursement of incurred expenses. |
| Request receipt for in-kind donation | Forms | Complete this in-kind donation form and submit to the Accountant for signature to provide an in-kind donation receipt. |
| Auction or Sales Donation Record | Forms | Use this to record the value and sale price for any auction fundraisers. |
| Policies + Procedures | Guides | Fiscal Sponsorship Program policies and procedures that will ensure the effective and efficient operation and continued success of the program. |
| Online Fiscal Sponsor Donation Form | Forms | Make a gift to a Friends of the Park group, restricted for use supporting the park or greenspace you designate through that space’s Friends of the Park group for the purpose of park improvement. |
