What are the eligibility requirements for fiscal sponsorship at Tides?

When evaluating a potential partner, Tides will consider mission alignment, confirmed funding and budget, and Legal fit. We encourage potential partners to evaluate Tides as well.

Mission Alignment
All projects fiscally sponsored by Tides must be aligned with Tides’ vision, mission and approach.

Confirmed Funding and Budget
Tides is committed to partnering with projects of all sizes and has a history of supporting small organizations. To balance capacity and opportunity Tides annually revises a target mix of potential projects based on annual budget. You will need at least one full-time employee who will be employed through Tides. Your organization will typically be charged a 9% fee on all revenues and other fees might apply depending on the source of the grant support or other non-standard services.

Partners should plan to be with Tides for at least two years.

Legal Fit
Tides Center’s Board of Directors has full governing authority, and full legal and fiduciary responsibility, for all fiscally sponsored projects, employees, and activities of Tides Center. To uphold Tides Center’s legal nonprofit status, to ensure all fiscally sponsored projects follow the IRS regulations, and to maintain compliance with the law, Tides Center’s staff monitors and maintains the project’s finances, human resources, payroll, leases, contracts, and insurance.

Tides fiscally sponsored projects must have a US base of operations and cannot employ staff outside of the US and its territories.