Fiscal Sponsorship vs. Incubation: What’s the Difference?
If you’re launching a nonprofit or mission-driven project, choosing the right kind of support is an important early decision. Fiscal sponsorship and incubation are two common models, but they serve different purposes and over different levels of involvement. While incubation is typically a short-term phase of growth, fiscal sponsorship can serve as a long-term operational home.
Marking Milestones with Meaning: How Qualcomm and USD Centered Corporate Social Responsibility
Discover how Qualcomm and the University of San Diego partnered with Mission Edge to turn major anniversaries into purpose-driven celebrations. Learn how strategic Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives like customized volunteer programs and community engagement can transform milestones into meaningful social impact.
Why Outsourcing or Fractional Nonprofit HR Services Might Be Exactly What You Need
Discover how fractional or outsourced nonprofit HR support can help your organization save costs, stay compliant, and focus on its mission. From scaling your team to navigating employment laws, flexible nonprofit HR services offer expert guidance that grows with your nonprofit and strengthens its impact. Learn the benefits from HR experts who serve nonprofits nationwide.
5 Things to Avoid in Your Corporate Social Responsibility Programs
Avoiding common pitfalls in your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts is key to building trust and making real impact. From avoiding PR stunts to funding wisely and involving employees and nonprofits, this guide from our Corporate Social Responsibility team covers 5 mistakes to steer clear of when designing effective, authentic, and sustainable CSR programs that truly make a difference.
Remote Work, Real Results: Nonprofit HR Insight for Modern Leaders
The world is changing fast and that includes the way nonprofits work. Our Nonprofit HR experts share insights to help nonprofit leaders with the key management skills necessary to effectively lead remote teams, while empowering them to maintain their nonprofit culture and impact. It’s more than workflows — it's about building trust, creating connection, and inspiring performance across distance.
The Role of Fiscal Sponsors in Navigating Advocacy and Lobbying for Nonprofits
Fiscal sponsorship goes beyond administrative support, helping nonprofits navigate advocacy and lobbying. Understanding the difference between them is key, as nonprofits must follow specific rules to protect their tax-exempt status. By partnering with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor, your organization can focus on advancing its mission with a solid foundation for legal and financial compliance.
More Than Just Admin Support for This Social Justice Organization
PG Changemakers sought a fiscal sponsor who could take on administrative tasks, aligned with their values, and offer guidance. Here’s why we were the right choice for them. Learn more about how Mission Edge partners with changemakers to navigate the complexities of growth and impact. Together, we can turn visions of a more equitable world into reality.
How To Use Fiscal Sponsorship To Expand Your CSR Initiatives
In today’s corporate environment, businesses are becoming increasingly interested in finding new and creative ways to contribute positively to society – and we’re here for it. One strategy businesses can take to increase their impact through corporate social responsibility is to find a fiscal sponsor to operate their charitable project as if it were a nonprofit organization.
Corporate Social Responsibility Book Review: Say the Quiet Part Out Loud
Each quarter, our Corporate Social Responsibility team here at Mission Edge convenes for a quarterly book club (we call it the Finer Things Club – like the characters from The Office).
One of our books this year was Say the Quiet Part Out Loud by Bina Patel, a local San Diego practitioner and author who does impactful work in the nonprofit sector across the nation.
How Our Fiscal Sponsorship Unlocked Access to $300K in Grant Funding for This Charitable Mission
Our fiscal sponsorship partnership is unlocking new potentials for Hustle 2.0, enabling access to critical programs for incarcerated individuals at no cost. Thanks to our partnership, they've been able to access over $300k in funding so they focus on their core mission without the added burden of nonprofit compliance. This has aided in 5,500 scholarships being distributed over 47 states.
Client Profile: Using Interns To Improve This Nonprofit’s Operations
What do you think about when you picture a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative? For most, it’s volunteering at a local food bank or engaging employees in a donation drive. But some of our favorite CSR initiatives we’ve facilitated have been far more behind the scenes. One of our recent CSR projects involved helping San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) partner with a local San Diego nonprofit.
How We’re Helping This Charitable Mission Prepare for 501(c)(3) Independence
Learn how Mission Edge is helping Catalyst Kitchens achieve their charitable goals through fiscal sponsorship so that they can scale and eventually become an independently-run nonprofit. Our goal is to help organizations better serve their communities by taking on things like accounting, compliance management, and human resources.
Quality Partnerships Over Quantity
With decades of collective experience curating volunteering and community engagement opportunities, Mission Edge's Corporate Social Responsibility team curated a four-part event schedule throughout the year so the University of San Diego could expand their community impact and better help the Monarch School.
A Beginner’s Guide to Nonprofit Accounting
A deep dive into how nonprofits can better manage their money, from net assets to functional expenses, nonprofit budget management to navigating IRS Form 990. Learn how Mission Edge supports its nonprofit clients through fiscal sponsorship and accounting services to stay organized, compliant, and confident.
The Season of Giving Is Over, but Should It Really Be?
From Giving Tuesday to Thanksgiving, there is a feeling around us to give back to our loved ones and community. Not only that – many companies' budgets are closing out at the end of the year and, they’re given the freedom to donate additional unused funds. While pairing a donation with the holiday season may be a logical action, it may not be the best practice to continue year after year.
How Mission Edge Helped This Veteran Turn His Passion Project Into a Donor-Funded Museum
The Nautical History Gallery Museum offers an up-close journey through the evolution of naval ships. However, they lacked a nonprofit status and infrastructure to accept donations. That’s where Mission Edge’s Fiscal Sponsorship came in. We decided to take on NHGM as a fiscally sponsored project under our own Community Give Back program because their cause aligns with the heart of our mission.
Restructuring Your Nonprofit
Fiscal sponsorship may be a powerful transition for your organization. While it represents an additional expense, the benefits — such as access to the sponsor's tax-exempt status, administrative support (a fully staffed accounting, HR, and operations department), and potential for increased funding — can outweigh these costs for nonprofits interested in restructuring.
Employee Volunteering Initiatives: What to Consider
With corporate volunteering increasing since 2020, companies understand the positive correlation between employee volunteerism and employee engagement and wellbeing. We’ll discuss the benefits of consistent volunteer engagements for companies, and offer ideas for how your company can provide a more sustained impact through employee volunteering.
From a Small Social Justice Initiative to Coordinating More Than 40,000 Volunteers
Hands On San Diego’s mission to strengthen communities through volunteer action has created ripples of change in our city. Over the past decade, Mission Edge has been a constant for HOSD, providing the structure, support, and services they’ve needed to succeed. Most importantly, HOSD has expanded its ability to make an impact over the past 10 years, including helping 22 organizations.
The Long-Term Impact of Fiscal Sponsorship
If you're juggling this decision, you may be wondering which decision will be best for your long-term goals. In this article, we’ll unravel the long-term impact of fiscal sponsorship, discuss some pros and cons of fiscal sponsorship, and help you understand what you might be getting yourself into if you choose this route for your charitable mission.