QCC FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
Build the work.
We’ll hold the structure.
THE BASICS
What is fiscal sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship allows a charitable project to receive grants and tax-deductible donations through an established nonprofit without forming its own 501(c)(3).
Two ways to work with us:
MODEL A · QCC PROGRAM
QCC becomes the project’s legal and financial home.
- Open to individuals, collectives, and eligible organizations
- The sponsored work operates as a program of QCC
- QCC signs approved contracts and pays approved contractors, vendors, and reimbursements from available project funds
- Project leaders guide the creative work, programming, fundraising, and community relationships
- Activities and commitments must follow QCC’s approval process and policies
MODEL C · INDEPENDENT PROJECT
Your organization runs the work and QCC administers charitable funds.
- For incorporated groups, LLCs, organized associations, or another entity QCC approves—not individuals
- The project remains operationally separate from QCC
- QCC receives approved grants and donations, then releases funds to the organization on an agreed schedule
- The organization handles its own contracts, payments, bookkeeping, taxes, insurance, and personnel
- Regular financial documentation is required before additional funds are released
IS QCC A FIT?
We are looking for work rooted in queer cultural life.
Strong candidates
- Are led by or meaningfully center LGBTQ2S+ artists and communities
- Advance arts, culture, education, archives, public programs, or related charitable work
- Have a defined project, accountable leadership, and a workable budget
- Share QCC’s commitments to cultural equity, access, and collective power
- Are prepared to follow QCC’s financial, reporting, contracting, and risk-management requirements
Fiscal sponsorship may not fit if
- The primary purpose is commercial or personal profit
- The work does not qualify as charitable activity
- You need QCC only to pass money through without oversight
- Your plans depend mainly on ticket sales, merchandise, client fees, or other earned income
- A grant requires an applicant structure, geography, or legal status that QCC and the project cannot meet
HOW TO JOIN
Start with a letter of interest.
Tell us about the work
Email a short letter describing the project, its leadership, communities, charitable purpose, activities, timeline, and anticipated budget. You do not need to choose a sponsorship model.
Initial review
QCC reviews mission alignment, charitable purpose, organizational readiness, financial activity, risk, and staff capacity.
Conversation and diligence
If there may be a fit, we will invite you to a conversation and request a fuller budget, work plan, funding information, and any relevant organizational documents.
Agreement and onboarding
Selected projects sign an agreement and complete onboarding before fundraising, applying for grants, or conducting activities through QCC.
Rolling
10%
Within 30 days
COMMON QUESTIONS
Before you write.
Which model do I need?
You do not need to decide before reaching out. In general, Model A is for work that needs QCC to serve as its legal and financial home. Model C is for an eligible organization that already has the capacity to run its own operations but needs a nonprofit sponsor for charitable grants and donations. QCC assigns the model during review and onboarding.
What does fiscal sponsorship cost?
QCC retains a 10% administrative fee from all cash funds received for a sponsored project. Project-specific outside costs may also apply when necessary.
Can an individual artist apply?
Yes. Individuals and informal collectives may submit a letter of interest and may be eligible for Model A. Model C requires an incorporated group, LLC, organized association, or another entity QCC approves.
Does Model A make me a QCC employee?
No. QCC does not provide general HR services or employee benefits to project personnel. For approved Model A work, QCC determines how workers may be engaged, signs approved contractor agreements, and pays approved contractors from available project funds.
What does a Model C organization need to manage?
The organization runs the project independently. It needs its own operational capacity, including bookkeeping, contracts, downstream payments, tax reporting, personnel compliance, permits, and insurance. QCC receives approved charitable funds and releases grant installments according to the agreement and reporting schedule.
Do I need to be based in San Francisco?
QCC centers queer cultural work in the Bay Area. Describe where your leadership, communities, and activities are located so we can assess fit and any geographic funding restrictions.
Can QCC receive ticket sales, merchandise revenue, or client payments?
No. QCC’s fiscal sponsorship program accepts grants and charitable donations, not earned income such as ticket sales, merchandise revenue, service fees, or client payments. Tell us about every expected revenue source in your letter.
Can I apply for a grant immediately after submitting a letter?
No. QCC must first approve the project, choose the appropriate model, sign an agreement, complete onboarding, and review the specific funding opportunity. Once sponsored, materials that use QCC’s name or nonprofit status generally need to reach QCC at least 14 days before the deadline.
Does sponsorship guarantee approval of every grant, contract, activity, or expense?
No. QCC is responsible for protecting its charitable status and the proper use of sponsored funds. Funding applications, contracts, payments, activities, and public commitments may require review or approval depending on the model and the agreement.
Who owns the project’s creative work?
QCC does not claim an artist’s existing intellectual property simply because the work is fiscally sponsored. Ownership of new work follows the applicable project or artist agreement. Projects give QCC limited permission to use approved materials for reporting, archives, and nonprofit promotion.
What happens if the sponsorship ends?
The project must complete required reporting and closeout. Remaining charitable funds cannot simply be paid to project leaders; they must be handled according to the agreement, funder restrictions, donor intent, and applicable law.
READY TO BEGIN?
Tell us what you are building and why it matters.
Letters of interest are accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to read this page carefully and be candid about your project’s activities, budget, revenue, risks, and timeline.
Send your letter of interest to:
lauren@queerculturalcenter.org
Fiscal sponsorship decisions depend on mission alignment, charitable purpose, readiness, risk, and QCC’s current capacity.