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Grants for Fiscal Sponsors and Their Sponsored Projects

Funding sources for fiscal-sponsorship organizations and the projects they host, including capacity grants, infrastructure funding, and access to grants normally restricted to 501(c)(3) applicants.

Fiscal sponsors are 501(c)(3) organizations that hold tax-exempt status on behalf of unincorporated projects, charging an administrative fee in exchange. Both the sponsor and the sponsored project have grant access, but the funding pathways differ.

49 open opportunities matched. Want full details, eligibility, and AI mission-fit scoring across all 49 grants? Start a free trial.

Top opportunities

  • Humanity AI Initiative 2026 Open Call for People-Centered AI Grants

    Humanity AI Coalition (Doris Duke Foundation, Ford Foundation, Kapor Foundation, Lumina Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Mozilla Foundation, Omidyar Network, Packard Foundation, Siegel Family Endowment; Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors as fiscal sponsor)Up to $2.0Mopen

    Humanity AI is a $500 million, five-year coalition initiative launched in October 2025 by ten major U.S. foundations to ensure that people, communitie...

  • Youth Development and Economic Freedom Grants

    Dekko Foundation Inc.Up to $600Kopen

    Youth Development and Economic Freedom Grants is a grant program from Dekko Foundation that funds projects supporting the healthy development of child...

  • Alignment Foundation AI Safety Grants

    Alignment FoundationUp to $200Kopen

    The Alignment Foundation provides grants and fiscal sponsorship for neglected AI alignment approaches. The foundation supports independent researchers...

  • Beyond Idea Grant Program

    South Dakota Community Foundation (in partnership with the Bush Foundation)Up to $100Kopen

    Beyond Idea Grant Program is a grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation in partnership with the Bush Foundation that funds community-based pro...

  • Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Community Solutions Grant Program

    Saint Paul & Minnesota FoundationUp to $50Kopen

    Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Community Solutions Grant Program is sponsored by Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Provides responsive grants focu...

  • The Beaufort Fund

    Coastal Community Foundation of South CarolinaUp to $25Kopen

    The Beaufort Fund is sponsored by Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina. Established in 1998, The Beaufort Fund supports nonprofits in Beaufo...

  • Mardag Foundation Community Emergency Grant Program

    Saint Paul & Minnesota FoundationUp to $20Kopen

    Mardag Foundation Community Emergency Grant Program is sponsored by Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. The Mardag Foundation Community Emergency Grant...

  • Grants to Assist Faith Communities Needs

    The Grant Portal (regional funder listing)Up to $6Kopen

    Grants to Assist Faith Communities Needs is sponsored by The Grant Portal (regional funder listing). Small grant (up to $6,000) to support general min...

  • Responsive Grants

    Grand Rapids Community FoundationDeadline: Jul 2, 2026open

    Responsive Grants is a grant program from Grand Rapids Community Foundation that funds capital projects, new programs, and existing program expansions...

  • Pathways Impact Fund

    StriveTogetherDeadline: Jul 10, 2026open

    Pathways Impact Fund is sponsored by StriveTogether. This funding opportunity is for regional, place-based intermediary organizations committed to ens...

  • Small Arts Grants (Film Project Support Only)

    Fleishhacker FoundationDeadline: Jul 15, 2026open

    Small Arts Grants (Film Project Support Only) is sponsored by Fleishhacker Foundation. This program provides post-production support for film projects...

  • Building for Tomorrow Grants

    Kearney Area Community FoundationDeadline: Aug 1, 2026open

    Building for Tomorrow Grants is a grant from the Kearney Area Community Foundation that funds capital campaigns and significant projects or programs e...

  • Women's Giving Circle Grant Round

    Community Giving FoundationDeadline: Aug 3, 2026open

    Women's Giving Circle Grant Round is sponsored by Community Giving Foundation. The Women's Giving Circle grant round, part of the Community Giving Fou...

  • Henderson Foundation Mini-Grants Program (Round II)

    George B. Henderson FoundationDeadline: Sep 4, 2026open

    Henderson Foundation Mini-Grants Program (Round II) is a grant from the George B. Henderson Foundation that funds projects focused on enhancing the ap...

  • Workforce Development Grant Opportunity (Colorado)

    Colorado Gives FoundationDeadline: Aug 1, 2027open

    Workforce Development Grant Opportunity (Colorado) is sponsored by Colorado Gives Foundation. Funding to support Jeffco residents as they adapt to evo...

  • International Documentary Association (IDA) Fiscal Sponsorship Program

    International Documentary Associationopen

    International Documentary Association (IDA) Fiscal Sponsorship Program is sponsored by International Documentary Association. The International Docume...

  • The 17/25 Fund for Young Adults

    GMA Foundations (managed under the fiscal sponsorship of Philanthropy Massachusetts)open

    The 17/25 Fund for Young Adults is sponsored by GMA Foundations (managed under the fiscal sponsorship of Philanthropy Massachusetts). A pooled giving ...

  • Small Arts Initiative

    The Heinz Endowmentsopen

    Small Arts Initiative is sponsored by The Heinz Endowments. This initiative aims to further the development of small, professional arts organizations ...

  • Supporting Organizing Work CT (SOW-CT)

    Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (Fiscal Sponsor)open

    Supporting Organizing Work CT (SOW-CT) is sponsored by Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (Fiscal Sponsor). SOW-CT is a collaborative philanthropic ...

  • 2026 Missouri Grants for Nonprofits: 501(c)(3), Federal & Foundation Funding

    GrantSonaropen

    2026 Missouri Grants for Nonprofits: 501(c)(3), Federal & Foundation Funding is sponsored by GrantSonar. Provides access to over 34,000 active grants ...

See all 49 matches on the Grant Board

Common questions about grants for fiscal sponsors

Can a fiscally-sponsored project apply for federal grants?

Yes. Federal grant applications are filed in the fiscal sponsor's name (because the sponsor holds the EIN, audit, and 501(c)(3) determination). The sponsor and project must agree on indirect-cost recovery, audit cost-sharing, and reporting responsibilities up front. Most federal awards work fine with fiscal sponsorship as long as the sponsor signs the assurances and accepts the federal obligations.

Do foundations accept fiscally-sponsored applicants?

Most do, though policies vary. The application is in the sponsor's name with the project as the implementing partner. Some foundations require the sponsor to be the legal grantee and prefer the sponsor have a multi-year track record. A small number of foundations (less than 10% in our experience) decline fiscally-sponsored applications outright; this is usually disclosed in their guidelines.

How much does fiscal sponsorship typically cost?

Most fiscal sponsors charge a 5-10% administrative fee on gross revenue passing through. Comprehensive sponsors (Model A — direct project) typically charge more than grantor-style sponsors (Model C — separate-entity grantmaking). The fee covers accounting, HR if applicable, audit allocation, and grant compliance support.

Are there grants for fiscal sponsors themselves?

Yes. The National Network of Fiscal Sponsors (NNFS) and capacity-building foundations periodically fund operational support, technology modernization, and field-building for fiscal sponsors. The Mott Foundation, Tipping Point Community, and several community foundations have funded fiscal-sponsorship infrastructure work.

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