I Have a Wildlife Conservation Idea But Need Help Implementing It
Every project starts as an idea. If it's scientifically sound, has agency support, and can be cost-effectively implemented, there are ways to make it happen. This article highlights one of Oregon Wildlife Foundation’s programs - fiscal sponsorship.
Fiscal sponsorship takes many forms. The simplest is Direct Sponsorship. In practice, this is you bringing your idea to an organization like ours and saying, “Are you open to this?” If it meets our criteria (see above) and we have capacity, we’ll explore how to get it done. An example of direct sponsorship is our partnership with Oregon State Police’s Fish & Wildlife Division. In 2018, OSP F&W approached us with the concept of establishing a wildlife conservation K-9 program and, working together, we implemented it. What started as an idea has now grown into teams in three regions, with plans for additional growth.
Another approach, the Independent Contractor Project, is largely the same as us saying “we’ll do it,” but instead of taking on the project directly, we hire a contractor to implement it. This has been our ‘bread and butter’ since the founding of Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation in 1981. Working primarily with ODFW biologists, the Foundation has implemented hundreds of projects based on their concepts and experience, our administrative and fundraising proficiencies, and the equipment and skill set of exceptional contractors. For example, we’re currently working with an ODFW Habitat Biologist on a stream enhancement project in the mid-coast region. The biologist had the idea and landowner contacts. We worked together to raise the funds needed for construction, and just hired a local contractor - equipment and operator - to implement it.
The most common type of sponsorship is called a Preapproved Grant. Through a legal arrangement between the sponsoring organization and another legally separate entity, the ‘project’ can receive grants and fundraise under the tax-exempt status of its sponsor. It’s important to understand that a project can be organized as a nonprofit corporation, but exemption from taxes is a wholly separate process with operating requirements that project leaders sometimes aren’t ready for. Our program offers sponsored projects a number of advantages to help them develop and become fully independent 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations. Our services and support include:
Increased credibility through alignment with Oregon Wildlife Foundation
Access to grant opportunities and charitable donations
Reduced administrative burden
Low-cost administrative and financial management services
The ability to focus more time and energy on the work of the project rather than management tasks and responsibilities
The last form of fiscal sponsorship we’ll discuss was previously called Supporting Organization, which now employs a single-member LLC structure (SMLLC) to protect the sponsoring organization from any liability that may arise from activities undertaken by the project. This type of sponsorship treats the project as ‘part of’ the sponsoring organization - fully integrating project leaders into its structure, including payroll and benefits.
The Foundation is in the process of adding the 4-County Cooperative Weed Management Area to its list of sponsees using the SMLLC approach.
Some conservation initiatives utilize fiscal sponsorship while working toward tax-exempt status, allowing them to fundraise and implement projects sooner.
Still others are not yet ready for the responsibilities that come with being a 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization. There are also initiatives that are time-limited, and development into a full-fledged nonprofit doesn’t make sense.
Wherever you are in the development process, fiscal sponsorship through Oregon Wildlife Foundation may be the support you need to build momentum.
To learn more and view the current list of sponsees, visit our webpage at www.myowf.org/fiscalsponsorship
