Fiscal Sponsorship Services
Building Infrastructure for Liberation
Africatown International was born out of necessity—our community refused to wait on institutions that overlooked us. Just as the first Africatown in Alabama (1860) became a place of self-reliance and dignity, our fiscal sponsorship program exists to equip today’s grassroots Black-led and allied initiatives with the infrastructure they need to thrive.
We know that visionaries and changemakers often lack the back-office systems required to access grants, receive tax-deductible donations, or manage compliance. That’s where we step in. We provide the legal and financial foundation, so you can focus on what matters most: building power, creating solutions, and serving your community.
What is Fiscal Sponsorship?
This makes you immediately eligible to:
- Receive tax-deductible donations
- Apply for grants reserved for 501(c)(3) organizations
- Operate with the legitimacy and compliance of an established nonprofit
You remain the driving force of your mission—we provide the framework that unlocks resources.
Who We Sponsor
Our fiscal sponsorship program is open to grassroots organizations and community projects across the U.S.
We center Black-led initiatives but stand in solidarity with all underserved communities committed to equity and transformation.
Program Requirements
To participate, organizations must:
- Be registered in their state as a charity/nonprofit corporation
- Hold a U.S. Employee Identification Number (EIN)
- Have a functioning board of directors
- Designate a primary contact who manages communication and reporting
Benefits of Fiscal Sponsorship with Africatown International
Back-Office Infrastructure:
Bookkeeping, bill payments, donation and grant management, monthly financial reports
Credibility & Oversight
Operate under the umbrella of an established nonprofit with compliance support
Grant Access
Immediate eligibility to apply for foundation and government funding streams
Guidance & Growth
Support in navigating nonprofit management and scaling your impact
Transparency
Regular reporting so you know exactly where your resources stand
Terms & Accountability
- Sponsored entities are fully responsible for using funds in alignment with donor or grantor intent.
- Africatown International charges a negotiated administrative fee of 10–15% depending on the level of support.
- Sponsored funds must be used only for charitable, non-commercial purposes.
- Sponsored entities must provide copies of all grant proposals, solicitations, and reports prior to submission.
- Liability insurance naming Africatown International as an additional insured is required.
- All financial activity is reported on Africatown’s annual IRS Form 990, and 1099s are issued as required by law.
Application Process
1. Submit Your Application
2. Decision
3. Partnership Meeting
Why Partner With Us?
With Africatown International as your fiscal sponsor, you’re not just accessing compliance and bookkeeping—you’re stepping into a lineage of resilience, advocacy, and self-determination.
Too often, grassroots leaders have the vision but not the infrastructure. Africatown International exists to bridge that gap—so our communities aren’t just surviving, but leading and thriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fiscal sponsorship is when Africatown International, a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, extends its tax-exempt status to grassroots organizations or projects that don’t yet have one. This allows you to legally receive tax-deductible donations, apply for grants, and manage funds under our nonprofit umbrella. You remain in control of your mission, while we handle the compliance, bookkeeping, and back-office support that funders require.
Our program is open to grassroots organizations and projects across the U.S. To be eligible, you must:
- Be a legally registered nonprofit in your state with an EIN.
- Have a functioning board of directors.
- Provide a designated contact person who is responsible for communication and reporting.
While we center Black-led initiatives, we support all underserved communities committed to equity, housing stability, and systemic change.
Sponsored projects gain immediate access to:
- Tax-deductible donations and eligibility for grant funding.
- Financial management services including bookkeeping, bill payments, financial reports, and compliance.
- Credibility and legitimacy under an established nonprofit with national recognition.
- Guidance and mentorship in nonprofit growth and sustainability.
- Transparency and accountability through monthly financial reporting and oversight.
In short: you focus on your mission, and we handle the infrastructure that makes funders trust you.
We charge an administrative fee of 10–15%, depending on the level of support required. This fee covers financial management, reporting, compliance, and the oversight that keeps your project in good standing with funders, auditors, and the IRS. Unlike other sponsors, our focus is not profit—it’s ensuring your project has the tools to succeed long-term.
While we provide infrastructure, your project remains responsible for:
- Proper use of funds in line with donor or grantor intent.
- Submitting all required documents (grant proposals, budgets, reports) for review.
- Carrying general liability insurance with Africatown listed as an additional insured.
- Writing your own grants and fundraising unless you purchase add-on services.
- Adhering to Africatown International’s accounting and compliance procedures.
Fiscal sponsorship is a partnership—your accountability keeps funders confident, and our support keeps your doors open.
Once you submit your application, our board typically reviews it within 15–30 days. If approved, we’ll schedule a meeting to go over the Memorandum of Agreement, accounting procedures, and expectations so you can begin receiving funds quickly and compliantly.
Yes. In fact, most fiscally sponsored projects write and submit their own grants. However, you must share all proposals and solicitations with Africatown International before submitting them. This ensures compliance with IRS regulations and protects your eligibility for future funding opportunities.
All funds are received into Africatown International’s accounts and are disbursed to your project within 10 business days of request. Disbursement can be made via check or transfer (wire transfers include a small fee). Funds are never disbursed directly to individuals—they must go to the sponsored project’s account to ensure compliance and accountability.
Yes. While rare, we reserve the right to cancel agreements if:
- Funds are misused or not aligned with donor intent.
- The project changes scope and no longer meets eligibility.
- Reporting or compliance standards are repeatedly not met.
- Terms of the Memorandum of Agreement are violated.
Our goal is always partnership and support, but we protect the integrity of donor dollars and community trust.
Africatown International is more than a fiscal sponsor—we are a movement. Unlike large bureaucratic sponsors, we bring lived experience, cultural responsiveness, and a community-first approach. We don’t just manage your books—we help you build credibility, resilience, and long-term impact.
When you partner with us, you gain not just a fiscal sponsor—but an ally invested in your success.