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There are two major eligibility requirements to open a fund at Tides: mission alignment and confirmed funding.
Mission alignment
All funds and their grantmaking purposes must be aligned with Tides Vision, Mission and Approach.
Confirmed funding
You must have a minimum of $100,000 of committed funding for US-based activity or $50,000 for funds supporting a single international organization.
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There are three major eligibility requirements to become a social venture at Tides: mission alignment, confirmed funding and budget, and legal fit.
Mission alignment
All social ventures fiscally sponsored by Tides must be aligned with Tides Vision, Mission and Approach.
Confirmed funding and budget
To start your social venture at Tides, you must have an expected annual budget of at least $250,000 with confirmed support and formal grant commitments for 100% of your budget for the first year at Tides. You also 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 to support the services that help you scale your impact. Other fees might apply depending on the source of the grant support or other non-standard services.
Your social venture 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 social ventures, employees, and activities of Tides Center. To uphold Tides Center’s legal nonprofit status, to ensure all social ventures follow the IRS regulations, and to maintain compliance with the law, Tides Center’s staff monitors and maintains social venture finances, human resources, payroll, leases, contracts, and insurance.
Social ventures must have a U.S. base of operations.
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STEP 1: Determine if social venture meets eligibility criteria, including mission alignment, confirmed funding and legal framework.
STEP 2: Make your initial approach to Tides via the Partner With Us form. This form is reviewed internally by Tides staff within 2 to 3 weeks.
STEP 3: Have an initial call with Tides staff to discuss your mission, program activities, needs, and timeline.
STEP 4: Tides staff invite those eligible candidates who fit our current criteria to submit an application. Application is by invitation only.
STEP 5: If application is approved by Tides staff and Board of Directors, social venture is onboarded and is active once initial funding is received by Tides.
Still Have Questions?
If you have a question for our team, we would love to hear from you. Please note, Tides does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry, proposals or applications for funding.