Fiscal Sponsorship
We are currently accepting applications for 2026
Tiny Seed sponsors projects in Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine.
Tiny Seed is a nonprofit resource hub with best practices and shared services. As the backbone of strong community projects, we specialize in providing administrative services and nonprofit status, empowering community leaders to concentrate on their core mission.
Grassroots leaders are experts in driving change; however, they often require additional resources to manage the details that keep their projects funded, compliant, and successful. We specializes in grant writing, compliance, bookkeeping, and reporting. This helps projects expand their reach, secure funding, and operate efficiently.
Fiscally sponsored projects are aligned with Tiny Seed's Mission
Our Mission:
We empower community projects that conserve the environment, encourage creativity, and strengthen communities. We do this through fiscal sponsorship and by providing exceptional administrative support.
Tiny Seed provides fiscal sponsorship services for projects that align with our mission and meet our guidelines.
Tips for a Successful Application
We are currently experiencing a high volume of sponsorship inquiries. As a result, the Tiny Seed onboarding committee is able to accept just a very small percentage of sponsorship applications. We are impressed with the quality of applications that we have received so far, there are many great ideas deserving 501c3 status, yet we are only able to onboard a few projects every quarter.
The best project proposals we receive define three key factors:
(a) a demonstrated need that is charitable, educational, or scientific,
(b) a tangible impact that can be explained in simple terms, and
(c) a strong emphasis on the three C’s of Tiny Seed’s core mission of community, conservation, and creativity.
How to Apply
Review Tips for a Successful Application (above)
Read our policies & review our fiscal sponsorship services and fees (below)
Complete Eligibility Questionnaire (click on link here)
If the project is eligible for fiscal sponsorship Tiny Seed will email an application
Applications are reviewed monthly.
Fiscal Sponsorship Services and Fees
Fiscally sponsored projects receive 100% of every donation designated to their project, and then contribute 10% to Tiny Seed to support the shared services and administrative infrastructure that make their work possible.
Fiscal Sponsorship Benefits
- 501c3 tax-exempt status
- Eligible to apply for private, state, and federal funds
- Receive tax-deductible donations
- Governance structure through Tiny Seed Board of Directors
- Compliance with IRS regulations and state charitable registration
- Public trust and credibility
Shared Services
- Bookkeeping and banking
- Bill pay, invoicing, and contractor payments
- Annual tax filing and issuance of Form 1099s
- Access to legal expertise
- Grant seeking through our Instrumentl membership
- Grant administration and reporting
- Access to Fundraising platform “GiveButter”
- Ability to receive project donations via checks, wires, DAF
- Highlight your project on Tiny Seeds’ “Projects” webpage
Fiscal Sponsorship Policies
• Project funding must be used towards goals consistent with the mission of Tiny Seed and must comply with any restrictions placed by the funder.
• Activities funded must fit within the IRS guidelines for non-profit activities; i.e., they must be educational, charitable, or scientific.
• All grant proposals will be reviewed by Tiny Seed staff prior to submission to a funder.
• Tiny Seed does not advance funds in anticipation of expenditures. We require receipts for all expenses reimbursed through sponsored monies. To be reimbursed, all requests must be accompanied by a receipt and meet 501(c)(3) guidelines.
Tiny Seed may end a fiscal sponsorship for cause, including non-compliance with sponsorship conditions, or if an entity becomes inactive.
Projects contribute an average of 10% of incoming funds toward shared services.
