Fiscal Sponsorship

Fiscal Sponsorship

For new organizations that would like to do nonprofit work, fiscal sponsorship is a cost effective way to:

  • Connect your idea or project to an existing community-based organization
  • Tap into a pre-existing infrastructure to ensure best practices and compliance
  • Allow you to focus on building your brand, your business plan and the deliverables that will drive your mission

What We Look For

Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) may be a good match for innovative projects that are:

  • Based in Northern California and are responsive to current or ongoing community needs
  • Have a clear and compelling written plan to effectively address that need
  • Have the leadership of at least three qualified individuals willing to serve as advisors
  • Have initial funding and a plan for ongoing support

Please read below for a step-by-step guide about how to become a sponsored project of CVNL.

How to Apply

STEP 1: Determine if CVNL is the Right Fit

Consider the following:

  • Will your project provide tangible benefits to your community?
  • Is your idea and project plan embraced by a group of committed supporters?
  • Do you have the sincere drive and enthusiasm to make your charitable ideas work?
  • Can you quantitatively and qualitatively demonstrate the need for the services you intend to deliver?
  • Can you identify strong funding prospects to help you move ahead?
  • Can you articulate your goals and clearly express your plans to achieve them?

STEP 2: Submit a Completed Application to CVNL

Prospective projects must submit an application (see the link to the application below).

The application requires a project description and a start-up budget outlining the sources of revenue and projected costs for your proposed project over the next year.

Click here to download the application. Email the completed application, and all supporting documents, to Lievin Mwamba, Director of Finance and Operations: lmwamba@cvnl.org.  

STEP 3: Application is Reviewed by CVNL

All proposals are rigorously reviewed by CVNL staff, board members, and community advisors. We then invite the leaders of projects that are strong candidates for fiscal sponsorship to meet with us, briefly present their projects, and answer questions. Final determination of sponsorship is made by the full board of CVNL.

Current Sponsees