Fiscal Sponsor Organizations

  • 1.  Commercial Co-Venture Agreements and Marketing

    Posted 09-23-2025 14:49

    Curious to hear from folks - how would you navigate this situation?

    We have a project whose Project Director is publishing a (mission-aligned) book and 90% of the revenue will come to the project. The other 10% is actually going to the publisher (not the PD).

    The Project Director wants to market the book/relationship on his personal social media/in his personal circles.

    He also wants to use project resources - like the website - to market the book/relationship.

    How do you feel about the project website having a hyperlink to where someone can purchase the book? (Does it feel any better if the website landing page does not have info on the book/sale, and you have to dig for it a bit? Does it feel any better if the project doesn’t include the actual hyperlink but names where the book can be purchased?)

    Super curious to hear your thoughts!



  • 2.  RE: Commercial Co-Venture Agreements and Marketing

    Posted 09-23-2025 15:30
    Hey @Stef Flores

    I’ve looked into CCVs before—while they seem simple, the legal requirements can be burdensome.

    The advice I have rcvd is to avoid any NP promotion that could look like endorsing the FP entity or soliciting sales. Promoting book sales, even indirectly, risks crossing into “sales solicitation” rather than “donation solicitation,” which can trigger state charitable laws or maybe even UBIT.

    My take: the further you stay from pushing the actual “sale,” the better. If the book is mission-aligned, you can link to it (ideally to a general landing page, not a purchase page), but focus on how it advances your mission—not on the % of sales going to the project.

    Also, the PD (in their individual capacity, not the project) is responsible for registering and managing the CCV across states, each with its own requirements and costs. This would require agreements with SGF and there is some shared burden but overall the FP entity is the actual host of the CCV, the entity reaping the benefits of the cause-marketing, and therefore must register and report. And if this is sold online with no geo-fencing there is a good chance this requirement would hit all states that have requirements


  • 3.  RE: Commercial Co-Venture Agreements and Marketing

    Posted 09-24-2025 22:05
    @Josh Burgner Thanks so much, Josh! (Also, hi!!) We have entered into a handful - maybe 20? - over the last few years, but it seems more and more of our projects are looking for added ways to fundraise.

    And you’re totally right - selling online is particularly challenging because the for-profit (in this case, author) would be subject to the CCV regulations (if any) in a state where a sale is made. It is not ideal for sure.

    I really like your thoughts/perspective on keeping it related to the mission (and not the % of sales). I’m mulling this over more!


  • 4.  RE: Commercial Co-Venture Agreements and Marketing

    Posted 09-23-2025 16:47
    Question - are you collecting sales tax?


  • 5.  RE: Commercial Co-Venture Agreements and Marketing

    Posted 09-24-2025 22:06
    @Cheyanne Sauter Hey! SGF doesn’t (currently) collect/remit sales tax. (Hopefully one day because many of our projects would like to sell merch.) In this case, the author is using a third-party platform for the sales piece. Then the funds are coming to us in tranches.