Fiscal Sponsorship
Realize Impact provides fiscal sponsorship of the charitable activities of mission-driven for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status, such as state-chartered nonprofits or international NGOs.
What is fiscal sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship is when an organization that doesn't have 501(c)(3) status is “sponsored” by one that does. This means donors can make tax-deductible donations to support the charitable activities of the sponsored organization. The 501(c)(3) organization collects donations on behalf of the sponsored entity and then grants the money to it, usually after taking an administrative fee.
Realize Impact offers fiscal sponsorship that supports the charitable activities of organizations without 501(c)(3) status, as long as these activities align with our mission.
Charitable activities
Realize Impact defines charitable activity as “any benevolent or philanthropic objective not prohibited by law or public policy which tends to advance the well-doing and wellbeing of people.” Our definition of “charitable” is narrower than the IRS’s definition and includes:
- Relief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged
- Advancement of education or science
- Mitigation or prevention of climate change
- Lessening neighborhood tensions
- Eliminating prejudice and discrimination
- Defending human and civil rights secured by law
In order to be eligible for fiscal sponsorship through Realize Impact, the proposed charitable activities must fall under at least one of the above categories and be aligned with Realize Impact’s mission.
Fiscal sponsorship vs philanthropic investing
Fiscal sponsorship grants are non-recoverable - there is no expectation of repayment or return. In this respect, they are no different from a standard donation to a 501(c)(3) organization.
Philanthropic Investment Grants (PHIGs) are used to make investments that have some expectation of repayment.
How to apply for fiscal sponsorship
Due to substantial volume, Realize Impact has paused all new fiscal sponsorship applications until October 19, 2026.
Fiscal sponsorship fees
Realize Impact charges a one-time, non-refundable $250 application fee to support the administrative costs of new fiscal sponsorship requests and to allow us to continue providing high-quality, mission-aligned support to charitable projects. Realize Impact's administrative fee on fiscal sponsorship donations is purposely below-market, at 2.5%.
