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If you understand Tides Center’s fiscal sponsorship model and believe it is appropriate for your organization, the first step in the process to become a project of Tides Center is to determine if your project is a good fit for our mission and legal framework.
Tides Center partners with individuals, groups, and funders to implement programs that accelerate positive social change. We define positive social change in terms of programs and activities that create and promote a healthy society, one which is founded on principles of social justice, broadly shared economic opportunity, a robust democratic process, and sustainable environmental practices. Tides Center believes healthy societies rely fundamentally on respect for individual rights, the vitality of communities, and a celebration of diversity.
While there are many avenues to affect positive social change, our projects work mainly in the following issue areas:
Tides Center provides the legal 501(c)(3) status for all projects. Tides Center is legally and financially responsible for all Tides Center projects and activities. Projects are not separate entities or affiliated organizations—projects are Tides Center. Because they are an integral part of Tides Center and not separate legal entities, projects are able to receive charitable donations and grants available only to tax-exempt organizations. However, projects may not receive funds or operate programs through any other entity while operating as a project of Tides Center.
Additionally, Tides Center’s Board of Directors has full governing authority, and full legal and fiduciary responsibility, for all projects, employees, and activities of Tides Center. To uphold Tides Center’s legal nonprofit status, to ensure all projects follow the IRS regulations, and to maintain compliance with the law, Tides Center’s staff monitors and maintains project finances, human resources, payroll, leases, contracts, and insurance.
If your project does not fit both Tides Center’s mission and legal framework, we are unable to invite you to become a project. Please see our list of Additional Resources for other options that may be available to you.
