Shunpike offers fiscal sponsorship to independent arts groups because it is a fundamental part of our nonprofit mission. We try to keep the cost as low as possible to support the artists we serve, and the income we receive from the program does not cover the expenses we incur for it to operate.
Here is a listing of the costs you should expect when you work with Shunpike:
Application Fee: All applications to Shunpike’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program incur a $25 non-refundable fee, payable at the time of application.
Establishment Fee: Once your group is accepted, you will pay an establishment fee. The amount varies depending on which type of fiscal sponsorship you are receiving:
- Basic Fiscal Sponsorship – $100
- Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship – $150
- Complete Fiscal Sponsorship – $200
Application and establishment fee payments can be made via cash, check, or credit card (merchant fees may apply for credit card transactions).
Ongoing Administrative Cost Share: Once we get you up and running, groups will pay a percentage on all income received through Shunpike:
- Basic Fiscal Sponsorship – 7% on all contributed income
- Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship – 10% on all income
- Complete Fiscal Sponsorship – 12% on all income, plus personnel costs
Annual Maintenance Fee: To maintain your account after the first year of sponsorship, groups will pay an annual maintenance fee. Maintenance fees are charged annually on the anniversary of your first application to Shunpike.
- Basic Fiscal Sponsorship – $100
- Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship – $150
- Complete Fiscal Sponsorship – $200
Merchant Fees: All merchant fees directly attributable to income received on behalf of your fiscally sponsored group or project will be passed on to you. Merchant fees vary depending on provider, and while Shunpike endeavors to negotiate the best rates possible for its partnering arts groups, the setting of merchant fees is up to each provider.
Close-Out Fee: If/When your group decides to close out your contract with Shunpike, you pay a fee depending on which type of fiscal sponsorship you are receiving.
- Basic Fiscal Sponsorship – $25
- Comprehensive Fiscal Sponsorship – $50
- Complete Fiscal Sponsorship – $100
The administrative cost share, annual maintenance fee, merchant fee, and close-out fee payments are automatically deducted from your group’s Shunpike funds, so no action is needed from your group.
There are a few other costs you will want to be aware of:
- State Incorporation: For groups receiving Comprehensive or Complete fiscal sponsorship, Shunpike will take care of incorporating your group at the state level. Shunpike will administer the incorporation process and submit required annual reports on your group’s behalf as long as the required funds to cover this cost are available in your balance.
- Local Business License: All groups receiving fiscal sponsorship from Shunpike must secure a business license from the city government in which they are primarily based. The cost of this license varies for each city. For groups receiving Comprehensive or Complete fiscal sponsorship, Shunpike will administer the business license application and annual renewal process as long as the required funds to cover this cost are available in your balance.
- Washington Charities License: Comprehensive and Complete groups are covered under Shunpike’s Charities license, but Basic groups will need to secure their own in order to be legally allowed to fundraise in Washington State.