Fiscal Sponsor Vendor Recommendations

  • 1.  Ribbon

    Posted 08-15-2024 19:34

    I want to warn fellow fiscal sponsors that working with Ribbon (https://getribbon.org/) has been a nightmare. What was sold to us over a months-long evaluation period has been nothing more than a dysfunctional platform held together with chewing gum and rubber bands.

    Not only is the platform unstable, but the integration with our QuickBooks caused 500+ inaccurate journal entries. Our Ribbon account executives, with whom we had been working since the beginning, were fired one day without warning. We field numerous complaints from our programs that the platform is not working for them (ex, can’t log in, uncashable checks, missing bill entries, etc).

    The CEO promised us financial restitution, an accountant, help transitioning off the platform, and more, but now he refuses to refund $4550 in fees and has asked us to pay him money to have their IT person fix the errors their integration with our Quickbooks caused.

    Do not use this platform as an all-in-one solution for your practice. It is not ready for market, and the leadership is dishonest at best. I hope this helps anyone currently evaluating the platform.



  • 2.  RE: Ribbon

    Posted 08-15-2024 19:41
    The heads up is much appreciated. Maybe it’s because I’m an old, but I always view all-in-one IT solutions with a skeptical eye.


  • 3.  RE: Ribbon

    Posted 08-15-2024 20:04
    Not the first time I’ve heard this about Ribbon unfortunately :( so sorry for your troubles. Holler if you need fresh eyes on your QuickBooks woes.


  • 4.  RE: Ribbon

    Posted 08-15-2024 20:47
    Not the first time I’ve heard this about Ribbon unfortunately :( so sorry for your troubles. Holler if you need fresh eyes on your QuickBooks woes.


  • 5.  RE: Ribbon

    Posted 08-16-2024 15:02
    Wow, thanks for the info. Sorry you had to be the guinea pig. They have approached us but we have been unable to afford them. Now I know not to bother.


  • 6.  RE: Ribbon

    Posted 09-24-2024 16:15
    Speaking of Ribbon, does anybody know anything about this group? Is it from the same people? Someone in my circle just posted that they are using this group and I was curious to know if anyone knew anything. https://fiscalsponsorshipallies.org/


  • 7.  RE: Ribbon

    Posted 09-24-2024 16:25
    @Lisa Dugdale It looks to be a standalone practice but they are using the Ribbon platform as their program portal and fundraising tool. The $75 monthly covers Ribbon’s monthly per program fee. Doesn’t look to be much more than the extension of 501c3 status (ie. not much for back office or wrap around support… just a way for a group to fundraise online) this is just a quick look at their website though.