Fiscal Sponsorship is an arrangement by which an organization which is tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3) may offer oversight to organizations with similar missions. The cost of incorporating and getting through the 501-approval process is staggering, and in this way we may be able to help very small non-profit creatives start up new projects without having to raise these large amounts. Many larger grant-funding organizations can only consider the applications of tax-exempt, or fiscally sponsored projects. There are various models this relationship can take, depending on the degree of the sponsor’s ownership of the project, and its stage of development. Some projects will stay under our umbrella indefinitely, while others will be in our ‘incubator’ while they grow ready to become independent organizations. When JOY’s tax-exempt status is approved, we can take applications for new projects, but until then will continue to help where we can. Proposals should be made in person.
The JOY Foundation, by providing ‘shelter’ for small initiatives without the resources to seek out their own tax-exempt status, may make it possible for creative people to focus on fulfilling their dreams for our community. Without the huge burden of incorporating and filing for approval, someone with a great idea can begin immediately to seek tax-exempt donations from underneath the JOY umbrella. (Until the official letter comes through, we are ‘status pending’ and can’t offer assurance that donations will be tax deductible. The recent government ‘shutdown’ has delayed everything even more, so we just leave it all in God’s hands and trust Him for the timing.) We have in mind projects of our own, as well, and welcome the collaboration of anyone who dreams similar dreams.
Some of our foundational thoughts:
* Money should follow active involvement, not substitute for it.
* Leisure is the basis of culture.
* Creativity is not just for artists.
* Moms are our heroes.
* Things worth doing are worth doing imperfectly.
* Response is the path to freedom.
* Small is the scale of authentic change and healing.
* Slow is the pace of authentic change and healing.
* Inefficiency is characteristic of organic growth.
* In God’s economy our giving is multiplied a hundred-fold.