Programmatic Update: Sunsetting Fiscal Sponsorship at Propel 

After careful consideration, and with gratitude for the partner organizations we have worked with over the past 12 years, I am sharing the news that Propel Nonprofits is sunsetting our Fiscal Sponsorship Program. Propel’s Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors made this strategic decision to ensure we can serve nonprofit organizations and nonprofit leaders more deeply through our lending, strategic consulting, training, and accounting & finance consulting services.  

The Fiscal Sponsorship Program at Propel will remain active through March 31, 2026. Over the next year, program staff will work closely with each fiscally sponsored partner to do one of the following:  

• Secure a new fiscal sponsor; 

• Establish independent 501(c)(3) status; if desired; or  

• Close out time-based or one-time projects with a structured plan.  

Our priority is to ensure seamless financial and programmatic transitions for our partners without disrupting their work. 

Effective immediately, we are not taking new inquiries or applications for the program. For those interested in fiscal sponsorship, we compiled resources related to how to start a nonprofit or find a fiscal sponsor below. 

Resources for Emerging Organizations  

If you are seeking a fiscal sponsor, these organizations are a good place to start. Please reach out to them directly with any questions or inquiries: 

• The National Fiscal Sponsor Directory (organized by state)  

• Springboard for the Arts 

• Social Good  

• Community Partners   

• Mockingbird Incubator 

If you are hoping to learn about the practice of fiscal sponsorship, this book is a great resource: Fiscal Sponsorship: 6 Ways, 3rd Edition – Fiscal Sponsorship.  

If you are considering becoming a fiscal sponsor, please review this resource:  A Board’s Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship – Propel 

If you are exploring the idea of starting a nonprofit, start with this video: Scanning the Field Before Starting a Nonprofit  

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits also has a great guide to Starting a Nonprofit: Starting a Nonprofit – Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.  

Propel’s resources focusing on starting a nonprofit are available here: https://propelnonprofits.org/resources/audience/starting-a-nonprofit/.  

Thank You 

Over the last 12 years, we’ve watched emerging organizations and leaders in the fiscal sponsorship program grow into some of the nonprofit sector’s most beloved, essential, and creative community resources. We are so grateful to the leaders who came to us and trusted us to be their partners. It has been an honor to work with you. 

I also cannot express enough gratitude to the staff of this program. Our team’s work has been nationally recognized; they are true partners to emerging organizations and leaders.  

And finally, thank you to those who have supported this work at Propel. My hope is that you continue to support fiscally sponsored organizations and continue to grow your understanding of their role in our sector. Fiscally sponsored organizations advance racial, social, and economic justice, preserve culture, improve life for our communities, change harmful systems, and celebrate humanity.  

We are honored to have played a role in this work. I, and my colleagues, are heartened to know that many of our free nonprofit resources, and our services in training and accounting & finance consulting, support emerging nonprofits. I know each of us on the team will always find ways to advocate for, and find new ways to work with, emerging nonprofits moving forward.