Our Services
Partnering with CNDC means you can focus on your vision, programs, services, and attracting the right support.
CNDC serves as a fiscal sponsor to organizations working to improve lives and communities in Colorado. We provide an experienced, supportive environment, helping each organization we partner with to focus on their mission without the burden of forming and maintaining their own 501(c)(3)
Operating under CNDC’s nonprofit umbrella, partner organizations receive immediate access to our nonprofit tax-exempt status, along with the extensive offering of business services and organizational supports. Our approach to fiscal sponsorship is both comprehensive and flexible, designed to meet the unique needs of our partners and help them succeed.
Learn more about our comprehensive services below.
Organizational Development
- Nonprofit management best practices
- Fundraising platforms
- Grant management support
- Leadership and program coaching
- part of CNDC’s 501(h) election for lobbying
Risk Reduction
- Manage contracts and leases
- Risk management and liability insurance
- Local, state, and federal compliance and tax filings
- Charitable solicitation registration in all states
- Background checks for volunteers
Finance & Accounting
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Monthly financial report packet
- Grant billings and tracking
- CNDC’s federally approved indirect rate
- Part of CNDC’s audit, including OMB audit
Human Resources
- CNDC employment and benefits package
- Onboarding support for new employees
- Employee relations and management support
- Payroll management
- Manage employment claims and legal issues
FAQs
We understand the importance of transparency and clarity in our services. This section is designed to provide quick and comprehensive answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. We’re here to help you navigate our services and resources with confidence and ease.
A: CNDC acts as the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt umbrella for each project it sponsors. For more information on fiscal sponsorship and our specific services, download this resource. We primarily offer comprehensive (or direct project model) fiscal sponsorship. Partner projects of CNDC become part of our tax-exempt and corporate structure. On a case-by-case basis, we also offer other models of fiscal sponsorship.
A: Partner project is the term we use for the partner charitable organizations that we fiscally sponsor.
A: The shared administrative contribution paid by partner projects offsets the cost of services and support provided. It is a cost-effective way for partner projects to receive robust back-office services without engaging, managing, and paying individual vendors. In addition to the day-to-day services, the administrative contribution covers CNDC providing support when there is a crisis, executive transition, legal issue, or other risk or opportunity. It also ensures that when outside vendors are needed, such as benefits providers, there are economies of scale because of the collective size of CNDC and all partner projects.
A: There are additional costs for some items (e.g., some legal services), but there is not a separation fee. There is also a small, shared fee associated with general liability insurance coverage.
A: The application can be found here. If you have any questions about whether your organization is eligible, you can contact CNDC with any questions using the contact form. The application approval process takes on average four to six weeks. We will try to expedite a review process for funding or other time-sensitive reasons, but it is not always possible. If you need an expedited process, please let us know ASAP.
A: CNDC’s Board of Directors is the legal governing body for all of CNDC; they have legal and fiduciary responsibility for CNDC as a whole. Our board is not involved in the oversight or operations of partner projects. Partner project boards provide an important mechanism for accountability and support, including financial and programmatic governance to ensure the project has the resources it needs to fulfill its mission, and support and evaluate the project’s executive director. Partner projects are asked to maintain a board with a minimum of four members that meet at least quarterly.
A: Partner projects are responsible for their own fundraising, however we do provide access to fundraising tools including an individual donor fundraising platform, grant databases, and helpful guidance on best practices.
A: We are primarily a remote workplace and are not able to provide office space to partner projects.
A: There is no maximum amount of time an active partner project can be with CNDC. We welcome partner projects for as long as they believe it further their work to be fiscally sponsored by CNDC. Generally, we ask that a partner project be fiscally sponsored by us for a minimum of six months prior to beginning the separation process to become an independent 501(c)(3).
A: The easiest and most common form of fiscal sponsorship we offer is when an organization has not incorporated and does not have tax exempt status. If you do not fall into that category, we encourage you to reach out with specific questions as it relates to your situation.
A: Yes, all project related activity occurring as part of CNDC must be insured. Depending on the coverage needed, partner projects may pay for part of the cost.
A: The Colorado Nonprofit Association has a Business Member Directory to connect you with members specializing in serving nonprofits. Click here to learn more.
A: No, a fiscal sponsor is different from a corporate sponsor or other philanthropic entities who may provide funding for events or programs.
A: Visit our Eligibility & Next Steps page to learn more.
