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Fiscal Sponsorships

Projects currently under the CAL umbrella:

The Center for Arts and Learning is a member of the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors.

Fiscal Sponsorship Policy

The CAL board adopted this fiscal sponsorship policy at their May 22, 2025 meeting.

Purpose

The Center for Arts and Learning desires to support independent community projects that align with our mission of community building through artistic or learning initiatives. By offering fiscal sponsorship, CAL provides limited nonprofit infrastructure to organizers so they have the support needed to successfully implement their projects.

We recognize that creative expression comes in many forms and that each person (or groups of people) may feel compelled to create a piece of work that could benefit from the resources of an existing nonprofit, such as administration, a network of resources, bookkeeping, and the ability to receive charitable gifts towards their project. 

To this end, CAL can expand its impact in Vermont’s cultural life by offering fiscal sponsorship to certain projects that align with its stated purpose. A fiscal sponsorship program will allow CAL to support artistic disciplines that cannot be conducted at its facility, and/or that are more appropriate at other sites. The program can provide opportunities to communities outside of Montpelier, where resources may not yet exist. 

CAL’s fiscal sponsorship program will provide the structure of the Model “C”, generally recognized as a pre-approved grant program. In return for this administrative support, fiscally sponsored projects agree to release a portion of funds to CAL at the rates and schedule agreed upon in each project’s MOU. 

Mission Alignment

CAL will review proposed projects for mission alignment, inclusivity, and likelihood of success. We will prioritize projects that fulfill one or more of the following areas of interest:

  • Creation of new works / productions
  • Artistic discipline not yet represented in CAL’s portfolio
  • Vermont community not yet represented in CAL’s portfolio
  • Work made by, in collaboration with, or to continue legacies of underrepresented communities like LGBTQ+, BIPOC, veterans, unhoused, and others
  • Fosters community, and/or creative placemaking

Risk Assessment

CAL will review proposed projects to assess risk and liability to the organization. We will prioritize projects where organizational risk is marginal. Low-risk projects include:

  • No lobbying or political activities
  • Achievable budgets
  • Reasonable need and request from CAL for resources
  • Independent insurance policies
  • Independent responsibility for contracts and agreements
  • Project managers with demonstrated experience 

Administration

CAL staff is empowered to solicit and review any project for inclusion in the fiscal sponsorship project. Once CAL staff has determined if a project is a good fit for fiscal sponsorship, parties will enter into a memorandum or understanding (MOU) that outlines the specific terms of the arrangement. 

The CAL Board shall be appraised of the status of projects on a regular basis, though CAL staff is responsible for financial accounting and general administration. Staff is expected to be in regular communication with the project leads as warranted. 

All funds directed for fiscally-sponsored projects will be properly accounted for in the company’s ledger and on the balance sheets according to generally accepted accounting practice. 

The CAL Board shall have final authority over approved projects. 

Conflicts of Interest

In the event a project involves a current CAL board or staff member, a review shall also consider whether that person will directly benefit from the fiscal sponsorship and whether that benefit conflicts with current CAL policies or practice. Any material relationship shall be disclosed to the CAL board.

Sponsorship decisions are made on a case by case basis. For more information, please contact the CAL Director, Phayvanh Luekhamhan, at info@cal-vt.org.

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