WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING ANY MORE APPLICATIONS FOR NOW. 
We are in the process of restructuring our program, but PLEASE DO CHECK BACK LATER IN 2017 FOR UPDATES!

The Washington Peace Center’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program provides a vital service to projects and organizations without 501(c)(3) status. Once approved into the program, these groups are able to carry out fundraising that provides their donors with a tax-deductible donation.

Providing fiscal sponsorships is one of the ways in which we build the capacity of the peace and justice movement locally and build bridges with national allies.  We provide administrative support for smaller projects and groups whose work aligns with our vision of a world based on respect for people and the planet that is achieved through nonviolence, peace and social justice.

If you are unsure what fiscal sponsorship is, or if you aren’t sure if you need a fiscal sponsor, please visit our Fiscal Sponsorship Basics page first.

Here are some of the most common questions folks ask about fiscal sponsorship with the Washington Peace Center: 

If your questions are not answered here, please feel free to contact us by phone at 202-234-2000 or by email at admin@washingtonpeacecenter.org.

 

What is fiscal sponsorship?

Please see our Fiscal Sponsorship Basics page for more information about what our fiscal sponsorship relationship is like.

 

Why would I want a fiscal sponsor?

Please see our Fiscal Sponsorship Basics page for more information about why you might want the Washington Peace Center as your fiscal sponsor.

 

What do you offer as a fiscal sponsor?

Fiscal sponsorees can use our 501(c)(3) status for any individual donations, in-kind donations or grant applications that need tax-deductible status.  We can also offer an individualized Paypal button for their website to accept online and credit card donations. 

 

What don’t you offer as a fiscal sponsor?

We do not have the capacity to help with other administrative services such as accounting, fundraising, tracking or thanking donors.

 

Who do you sponsor?

When deciding who to sponsor, we look at the following:

  • Size: We prioritize providing resources for smaller groups (meaning budgets of less than $20,000 per year) who might not always have access to administrative support.  Larger groups are not necessarily excluded from this program.
  • Location/Issue:  We prioritize groups that are (1) based in the DC Metro area and working on local issues and (2) groups that work on national or international issues that WPC is actively engaged in, such as peace, anti-war and movement-building work.
  • Politics: Groups we fiscally sponsor need to have read and agreed with our vision and core values and be able to explain how their organizational goals and objectives correlate with them.
  • Lobbying: We can only accept groups who spend up to 5% of their resources on direct lobbying.   This must be tracked and reported on annually.
  • Relevance: The project must involve public education and/or other charitable (§501(c)(3)) activities that further the charitable goals of WPC.

For a list of our fiscal sponsorees, check out our Currently Sponsored Projects page.

 

Who don’t you sponsor?

  • We do not sponsor locally-focused groups based outside of the DC Metro area.  You can look through the national fiscal sponsorship directory to find a more appropriate sponsor: http://www.fiscalsponsordirectory.org
  • We do not sponsor groups based in DC but working on national or international issues (versus local issues) unless they fall in into our central areas of peace, anti-war and movement-building work. 
  • We do not sponsor groups whose work is occurring internationally.
  • We do not sponsor groups whose aims are not in accordance with our vision or core values
  • We do not accept individuals into the fiscal sponsorship program. 
  • When making decision to approve, WPC may consider the impact on our reputation, work and 501(c)3 status due to association.

 

What are the basic guidelines my organization must meet in order to qualify?

In order to qualify for fiscal sponsorship with the Washington Peace Center, groups must meet the following guidelines:

  • Projects must have a thought out and defined mission. 
  • Groups must have an US-based bank account independent of WPC, preferably in the name of the project.  We can give guidance as to how to open it.   Occasionally we can issue checks to individuals’ bank accounts instead of projects, but that needs to be discussed and approved.
  • WPC does not accept grants from the U.S. Federal Government and will not act as the fiscal sponsor for such grants. Projects seeking funding from City or State Governments must review the requirements of such grants with WPC prior to submitting such an application and receive approval to apply, which will be on a case-by-case basis. WPC reserves the right to refuse to act as fiscal sponsor for grants from City or State Governments. 
  • Click here for the Washington Peace Center’s Gift Acceptance Policy. WPC reserves the right to refuse any donation.
  • You cannot apply for or accept funding from the DC Humanities Council as that would prohibit WPC or any other fiscal sponsoree from applying as well. 
  • Projects must submit a year-end report to WPC annually.  This report may include: program descriptions, your money spent, changes to your staff or board, tax receipts given to your donors, info on fundraising activities, mailings, or materials, any media you distribute, and more.  This is due January 15th.
  • Our contract agreement will terminate after 3 years unless we both agree to extend the contract. If projects need to end their fiscal sponsorship with WPC for any reason (such as gaining their own 501(c)(3) status), they must notify WPC in writing. 

 

How much does it cost to be sponsored by the Washington Peace Center?

For fiscal sponsorship, WPC charges $25-50 sliding scale fee upon acceptance into the program.  We also charge 7.5% of all monies received to cover administrative costs and overhead, as well as to support the Center’s social justice work.  Any donations that funders ask to be tax deductible have to go through us and we’ll take the percentage.  Any donations that don’t need the deduction obviously doesn’t need to go through us and you can keep the full 100%.  The funds less this administrative fee will be released and made payable to sponsorees as soon as they clear our bank.  A copy of the original check will also be provided.

Projects can accept credit cards and online donations through our Paypal account online.  Paypal also takes a percentage – 2.5% – and WPC’s 7.5% would come out of the total after Paypals’ cut.  WPC can create individualized Paypal buttons for fiscal sponsorees’ websites so they can accept online and credit card donations.   

For IRS purposes, all sponsorees will keep up-to-date financial records that can be made available to the Peace Center at any time with two weeks written notice.  Sponsorees will also send us a yearly financial report annually accounting for funds earned and spent and estimated percentage of organizational resources spent on direct lobbying.  This is due January 15 as part of the year-end report.

 

What are the terms of the contract? Can I see a copy of the contract?

When you are accepted into the fiscal sponsorship program with the Washington Peace Center, you will have to sign a contract with us. In addition to having a copy of the contract, we will also provide you with guidlines explaining the contract to help you understand the most important aspects. Please review the full contract and guidelines here before applying to ensure you’ll be able to fulfill all requirements. 

To download a copy of our contract, click here

To download a copy of our overall guidelines, reporting requirements and explanation of the contract, click here.

You should read both the contract and the guidelines and contact us with any questions before signing your agreement with us.

 

How do I apply?

WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING ANY MORE APPLICATIONS FOR NOW.
We are in the process of restructuring our program, but PLEASE DO CHECK BACK LATER IN 2017 FOR UPDATES!

  1. In the past, applications have been reviewed three times a year: March 1, June 1 and October 1, and we have gotten back to applicants within 1 month with our acceptance decision.
  2. Review the full guidelines carefully and be prepared to explain how you will be able to fulfill your obligations, particularly completing the year-end report due Jan 15.
  3. If you think your project fits the above criteria, fill out the online application here
  4. We will contact you after the due date if we have any questions.
  5. Board will review applications for final approval within 1 month of the due date.
  6. If approved, WPC will request $25-50 sliding scale fee.
  7. Upon reciept of the fee, applicant and WPC sign contract and it all begins.