Programs & Services

What is Fiscal Sponsorship?

At its core, fiscal sponsorship allows independent arts groups the ability to raise funds for their artistic projects using Shunpike’s tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization. 501(c)(3) is the tax determination given by the IRS to a non-profit charitable organization, which allows donors to receive a tax deduction for supporting a public charity. Under Shunpike’s fiscal sponsorship, arts groups and organizations can offer tax-deductible receipts to donors and may be eligible to apply for government and foundation grant programs usually only available to organizations with 501(c)(3) status.

Shunpike offers two levels of fiscal sponsorship:

Compare Shunpike’s Basic & Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship

Service Provided	Basic	Comprehensive
Secure online donations page (Click&Pledge)	✔	✔
Donation Processing	✔	✔
Donor tax receipts issued	✔	✔
Monthly contributed income & P&L reports	✔	✔
Basic grants administration and record-keeping	✔	✔
Special event compliance review	✔	✔
Review of fundraising materials/online campaigns	✔	✔
Access to online templates and resource library	✔	✔
Regular email updates with relevant opportunities and information	✔	✔
Detailed assessment of grant applications	✖	✔
Full cycle bookkeeping (on a cash basis only)	✖	✔
Detailed monthly transaction reports	✖	✔
Sales and use tax records and filing	✖	✔
Annual IRS tax filing and distribution of 1099-MISC as required	✖	✔
Annual and/or quarterly local business filings (if required)	✖	✔
Maintain and administer city business license^* (submission & renewal)	✖	✔
Maintain WA state nonprofit incorporation status (filing of articles of incorporation, annual renewal, and serve as the registered agent)	✖	✔
Non-legal review of contracts and agreements (to offer feedback and support with contract negotiations)	✖	✔
Research and coordinate insurance coverage	✖	✔
Run state background checks for volunteers and associated personnel	✖	✔

Services NOT offered by Shunpike’s Fiscal Sponsorship Service include:

Payroll
Webhosting
Access to office space and facilities
Assistance with 501(c)3 application
Case-specific legal advice
Case-specific tax and/or accounting advice
Shunpike is not a grant funding body

* It is a requirement of being fiscally sponsored by Shunpike that all groups maintain a city business license. Shunpike can manage this process for client of our Comprehensive service. Clients accessing the Basic service must arrange for their own city business license, renewal, and maintenance.

Fiscal Sponsorship Service Costs

Fee	Basic	Comprehensive
Establishment Fee – due at time of initial establishment of fiscal sponsorship agreement	$100	$150
Service Fee – percentage taken on revenue received by Shunpike on behalf of client	7% of contributed income^* received	10% of all revenue^#
Annual Maintenance Fee – Due on yearly renewal of fiscal sponsorship agreement	$100	$150
Minimum Opening Deposit – required at time initial fund is established with Shunpike. No fee is taken on initial deposit.	$100	$100
Maximum Opening Deposit – maximum amount of initial fund deposit that is free of fees. Additional funds over $2500 are accepted but are subject to Service Fee.	$2500	$2500

*Only contributed revenue (i.e. donations & grants) can be accepted by Shunpike on behalf of clients receiving the Basic service.

# Shunpike must receive all revenue (both contributed and earned), for client receiving the Comprehensive service.

As part of its Basic and Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship Service, Shunpike covers the following costs:

File and data storage (hard copy and digital)
Printing, stationery, and postage associated with donor letters (tax receipts)
Banking fees associated with groups’ funds

Costs not covered under Shunpike’s Basic and Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship Service include:

Arts Business Dates (these can be purchases separately for a non-refundable fee of $20)
Any merchant or administrative fees associated with revenue received

See Who We’re Helping

Fiscal sponsorship is a great choice for many emerging arts organizations and projects.

View current clients

As an artist and owner of Seattle Women in Jazz, a business that has been fiscally sponsored by Shunpike since 2012, I can tell you firsthand that they’re awesome! I feel very fortunate to be a client of theirs. They’ve helped me to keep my business organized and they have given me ideas on how to make it grow, in addition to assisting me in securing grants. Shunpike has been an essential part of the success of my business.

~ Jessica Davis, Seattle Women in Jazz

Shunpike: The Business of Art