Services / Fiscal Sponsorship

Fiscal Sponsorship Eligibility & Program Readiness

Your group may be a good match for Propel’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program if:

  • Your project aligns with Propel’s mission, vision, and values 
  • You share Propel’s commitment to social, racial, and economic justice 
  • You will apply funds raised toward charitable purposes with a clear nonprofit mission  
  • The majority of your programming is located in Minnesota, adjacent areas in the surrounding states, or within Native Nations that share this geography. 
  • You are incorporated or willing to incorporate as a charitable organization and secure an EIN 
  • You have at least three board members or are willing to establish a board when you incorporate 
  • You are ready, or will soon be ready to apply for grants and/or engage in other fundraising 
  • You may want to explore becoming a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization  

Inquiries Closed

Thank you for your interest in our Fiscal Sponsorship program. We are not accepting inquiries at this time. You can sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on programmatic announcements.
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Program Readiness:

Your application process includes questions that help to gauge your readiness for fiscal sponsorship at Propel. We use the guidelines below as we review your application.  

Charitable Purpose 

  • You have created a statement of purpose and have a clear vision for your programs or activities. 
  • You have built a case for why your work is needed.  
  • You are working beyond yourself to reshape systems that have historically withheld power, address the immediate gaps left by other institutions, and provide access to resources for all.  

Community Connection and Accountability 

  • You are connected and accountable to the community you plan to work with. 
  • Your leadership team has the knowledge, connection, and experience/expertise to serve your community.  
  • There is established community demand for your programs or activities. 
  • Your organization helps create more equitable communities.  

Program Plan and Activities 

  • You can clearly describe your programs, activities, and timeline. 
  • You have already taken some action to establish programming or activities, or you have mission-related activities planned for the near future.  
  • You can describe how you will measure the impact of your work. 

Governance & Leadership 

  • You have a leadership team with the capacity and commitment to build a sustainable organization. 
  • You are prepared to make decisions in the organization’s best interest (not primarily to benefit an individual involved with the project). 

Fundraising and Financial Management 

  • You understand the costs of your activities and have identified some sources of contributions and grants. 
  • You have a plan, or are working on one, to achieve financial viability and programmatic success. 
  • You are prepared to keep and maintain complete and accurate financial records of all income and expenses. 

There are many stages to starting a nonprofit. If you are just starting out, visit the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits website to review the stages of starting a nonprofit: https://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/resources-tools/starting-a-nonprofit.  

In general, you will be a good fit for Propel’s fiscal sponsorship program if you are past the “Step 1 – Visionary Stage.”  

Inquiry and Application Process

Thank you for your interest in our Fiscal Sponsorship program! We are not accepting inquiries at this time. You can sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on programmatic announcements.

Program Costs

Setup: Upon acceptance, a one-time onboarding fee of $300 is due. 

Annual Renewal: Each year on September 30, a fee of $100 is due.  

Administrative Costs:  

7% of all funds received at Propel  

10% of all government grants (when permitted).