Sponsored Projects Program FAQ

Fiscal sponsorship is a contractual relationship between a non-profit tax-exempt entity and a project that lacks tax-exempt status but is aligned with the mission of Allied Media Projects and our 501C3 status.

Through comprehensive fiscal sponsorship (commonly referred to as “Model A” fiscal sponsorship), projects that are fiscally sponsored by AMP essentially become like a more independant program of AMP and are integrated into our organization with AMP maintaining all legal and fiduciary responsibility. Along with fiscal sponsorship, projects benefit from administrative and supportive services provided by AMP. A fiscal sponsorship allows AMP to share our legal and tax exempt status, our non-profit 501C3 status and provide a multitude of services such as human resources, financial support, etc. Learn more about fiscal sponsorship here.

Our services include:

• Financial management, bookkeeping, and accounting
• Purchasing and bill payments
• Payroll and human resources management
• Receiving contributed funds and distribution of donor tax letters
• Contract management
• General liability insurance and insurance management
• Fundraising feedback and support

A sponsored project is a project that is fiscally sponsored by Allied Media Projects through our Sponsored Projects Program and is part of a network of projects that are aligned with our mission to cultivate media for liberation.

We are not currently seeking new projects, but we will update our website and social media with information when our next project cycle opens.

Please stay tuned for future opportunities to apply!

As a fiscally sponsored project, you can apply for grants or receive gifts or contributions under AMP’s 501(C)3 umbrella. Also, you will work with a network liaison who will support you with day-to-day questions and navigating your needs as they emerge. Learn more about our services here .

AMP’s Sponsored Projects Program provides two types of fiscal sponsorship support to projects:

• Comprehensive (Model A): 10% of project funds
• Grant Specific or Grantor-Grantee (Model C): 7% of project funds
  • See a comparison of the two types here 

Your project is responsible for your own fundraising needs. We do not offer any formal grant proposal offerings, however, we do our best to collaborate, answer questions or be a supportive resource in your fundraising efforts. We often work together with projects to highlight their work in our social media, newsletters, and storytelling campaigns that can support fundraising efforts.

Yes, we have projects who have 501c3 status. In most cases many funders require an audit history which many newer 501c3 organizations do not have. Fiscal sponsorship is a great solution for projects that face those barriers to accessing funding from foundations. With the services that we provide to fiscally sponsored, we aim to support your organization in focusing more on your mission and world building work!

We consider media in a broad sense in any of the ways we communicate with the world. We consider art, technology, design, storytelling, journalism, etc. media and our projects work to use media-making to further liberation as an ongoing process of personal, collective, and systemic transformation.

Please explore our current list of projects here!  

AMP cannot provide advice on whether or not to pursue 501(c)(3) status, since this decision depends on your vision and long term goals for your project.

Please seek legal counsel if you intend to set up a 501(c)(3). If you are located in Michigan, Michigan Community Resources or NEW may be able to assist you. The American Bar Association offers an online resource for legal advice and provides state-by-state directories for assistance: visit Free Legal Answers. You may also find helpful this “Should my project apply for 501(c)(3) status from the IRS?” questionnaire from Fractured Atlas.

Whether your project becomes a 501(c)(3) depends on the project vision and the organizational structure that will best support the realization of your mission.

Fiscal sponsorship can be a good tool for growing your work as you pursue your own 501(c)(3) status, if that’s your goal. Our fiscal sponsorship relationship can evolve to meet your needs.

Whether your project becomes a 501(c)(3) depends on the project vision and the organizational structure that will best support the realization of your mission. Becoming a 501(c)(3) can sometimes be a lengthy process. AMP can serve as a fiscal sponsor and home for your work as you go through that process. We recommend you seek legal assistance in determining whether or not you should pursue 501(c)(3) status.

Most grant applications require applicants to have 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor. AMP provides fiscal sponsorship to our sponsored projects to support them in accessing grants. We work with them to identify potential grant prospects, review drafts of grant applications, and provide feedback on your fundraising strategy. Pursuing grants can be challenging and time consuming. While AMP provides support, you should be prepared to lead your fundraising efforts.

AMP is not a funder. Some of our sponsored projects have grantmaking programs. We do our best to share those opportunities with our network via our Sponsored Projects Program Slack.

Yes, for-profit businesses may apply for nonprofit funding via a fiscal sponsor. This is a common arrangement for what is often referred to as model C or grantor-grantee fiscal sponsorship. Your project’s activities must align with the mission and follow the conditions of your nonprofit fiscal sponsor. You can learn more about AMP’s grantor-grantor fiscal sponsorship here.