Introduction
Charity Bridge Fund supports fiscally sponsored organizations that do not hold their own independent 501(c)(3) status. Because these organizations operate under a fiscal sponsor’s tax-exempt status and EIN, setup requires manual review by our team.
This guide explains what documents are required, how to contact support, and how your profile, projects, and distributions work after approval.
What is a fiscally sponsored charity?
A fiscally sponsored charity is an organization, project, or initiative that operates under the legal and tax-exempt status of another nonprofit organization.
The fiscal sponsor provides the tax-exempt umbrella, while the sponsored organization carries out its own mission, programs, and fundraising work.
Can fiscally sponsored organizations use Charity Bridge Fund?
Yes. Fiscally sponsored organizations can use Charity Bridge Fund.
Because the EIN belongs to the fiscal sponsor, fiscally sponsored organizations cannot use the standard “claim your charity” process. Instead, our team manually verifies the sponsorship relationship and helps complete account setup.
Required documents for verification
To verify a fiscally sponsored organization, Charity Bridge Fund requires documentation issued by or connected to the fiscal sponsor.
You will need to provide:
The fiscal sponsor’s IRS Determination Letter
A Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement that includes:
The fiscal sponsor’s EIN
The name of the sponsored organization
Confirmation of the sponsorship relationship
In some cases, our team may request additional documentation to clarify or confirm the relationship.
How to set up your account
Fiscally sponsored organizations must contact Charity Bridge Fund for support with manual setup. This process cannot be completed through self-service.
Step 1: Create your account
Create your Charity Bridge Fund account using your organization’s nonprofit email address.
Use the email associated with your organization, even if your organization operates under a fiscal sponsor.
For help with creating an account, check the following article:
Step 2: Contact our team
After creating your account, email nonprofits@charitybridgefund.org and include:
Your organization name
The fiscal sponsor’s legal name
The fiscal sponsor’s EIN
The fiscal sponsor’s IRS Determination Letter
The Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement confirming your relationship
Once submitted, our team will review your information and guide you through the next steps.
Step 3: Wait for review and setup confirmation
Our team will review your documents, verify the sponsorship relationship, and complete the account setup process.
You will be contacted once the review is complete or if additional information is needed.
Why is the setup of fiscally sponsored charities different
The setup process is different because fiscally sponsored organizations are not the legal entity tied to the EIN.
Manual verification helps ensure:
The organization is accurately represented
The sponsorship relationship is valid
The sponsor charity has access to its own profile
Donors understand how the organization is connected to its sponsor
Donations and distributions are handled correctly
Your charity profile and projects
Once approved, your organization can have its own presence on Charity Bridge Fund.
You can:
Create and manage your own profile
Launch and manage your own projects
Receive donations connected specifically to your work
Your profile allows your organization to maintain its identity while remaining transparently linked to your fiscal sponsor.
How distributions work
During setup, you will provide a Bill.com Payment Network ID (PNI) and a contact email for distributions.
Funds are sent to the PNI owner listed during setup (sponsor). Donation receipts and distribution-related communications are sent to the contact email provided.
Make sure this information is accurate before submitting it to our team.
FAQ
Can I use Charity Bridge Fund if my organization does not have its own EIN?
Yes. If your organization is fiscally sponsored, you may operate under your fiscal sponsor’s EIN after manual verification.
Do I need to claim my charity like other nonprofits?
No. Fiscally sponsored organizations cannot use the standard claim process. You must contact our team for manual setup.
What documents do I need to provide?
You need the fiscal sponsor’s IRS Determination Letter and a Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement confirming the relationship between the sponsor and your organization.
Will my organization have its own profile?
Yes. Once approved, your organization can have its own charity profile and manage its own projects.
How long does verification take?
Verification time depends on the completeness of your submission. Our team will follow up once your documents have been reviewed. It generally takes no longer than 2 business days.
Who receives the donations and receipts?
The Sponsor. Funds are distributed to the Bill.com PNI provided during setup. Receipts and distribution communications are sent to the contact email listed for distributions.
Charity Bridge Fund supports fiscally sponsored organizations while maintaining transparency, compliance, and donor trust throughout the setup and verification process.
We strive to make the process smooth for fiscally sponsored organizations while ensuring compliance and transparency. If you have any questions during setup, our team is here to guide you through each step: nonprofits@charitybridgefund.org.