New organizations face serious obstacles when seeking the funding necessary to continue and complete their work. Often they are hindered by the absence of legal status for the project, as most foundations and corporate funders restrict grantmaking to fully tax-exempt organizations. Similarly, potential individual donors often need the tax incentive of a charitable contribution before they will support an arts project. The SLF offers fiscal sponsorship, a mechanism widely used by the nonprofit sector, to help overcome these obstacles.

The SLF takes applications to serve as a fiscal sponsor for genre-related non-profit projects which lack 501(c)3 status. This enables such groups to apply for grants for which they might otherwise not be eligible, such as funds from 501(c)3 non-profit groups hosting local conventions, who are legally required to redistribute their profits to other non-profits.

There is no fee to apply, and currently no contracting fee. Any funds you or your group receives would be directed to the SLF; we would then take 5% as payment for our administrative costs (7% – 15% is standard in the non-profit world), and redirect the rest of the funds to you.