Who can apply through a Fiscal Sponsor?
Individual Artists and unincorporated arts organizations are not eligible to apply directly to NYSCA but may still receive funding through our grant programs — including commissions through our Individual Artist Program — by applying through a fiscal sponsor.
Here’s what you need to know to apply:
What exactly is a Fiscal Sponsor?
A Fiscal Sponsor is a New York State non-profit organization that applies to NYSCA on behalf of individual artists, unincorporated arts organizations or groups, or non-profit arts organizations choosing not to apply directly themselves. The fiscal sponsor receives and disburses funds related to the grant, assuring that the project is carried out as described and submitting the final report of grant activity.
Who can apply for support through a Fiscal Sponsor?
NYSCA supports applications through Fiscal Sponsors in the following programs:
- Architecture + Design - including support for individual artists through the Independent Projects category
- Arts Education
- Dance
- Folk Arts
- Individual Artists -including support for composer, playwright, librettist, theatre director or designer, and electronic media and film artist commissions
- Literature
- Music
- Special Arts Services
- Theatre
Completing a Sponsored Request for new NYSCA support is a five-step process:
Step 1: The Fiscal Sponsor carefully reviews the Program Guidelines to confirm Sponsored Requests are accepted in the specific program category and to review requirements.
Step 2: The Fiscal Sponsor sends the Sponsored Request Form to the Sponsored Entity to complete and return. Download the Program-specific Sponsored Request Form by visiting the appropriate Program page here.
(Please Note for Steps 2, 3 and 4: For Architecture + Design Program - Independent Projects, there are required uploads on the Sponsored Request as set forth in the Guidelines but no actual Sponsored Request Form to complete.)
Step 3: The Sponsored Entity completes the Sponsored Request Form and/or other required support materials. This form is a fillable PDF. The Sponsored Request Form requires the following information:
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General Information on the Sponsored Entity
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Project Budget
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Narrative Application Questions
Step 4: The Sponsored Entity returns the completed Sponsored Request Form and/or required support materials to the Fiscal Sponsor well before NYSCA’s application deadline.
Step 5: Fiscal Sponsor completes and submits one NYSCA-CFA for each sponsored request. See page 25 of this Manual for detailed information on how to complete the NYSCA-CFA application as a Fiscal Sponsor.