Is something telling you it’s time to take a closer look at your fiscal sponsorship program?

You don’t need a crisis to justify an outside perspective. You just need one of these moments.

If any of these sound familiar, you’re in the right place:

  • Your program hasn’t been formally examined in years — and you’ve noticed several areas of recurring friction
  • Organizational made a project-facing change that didn’t land the way you expected
  • Your admin costs haven’t kept up with the real cost of running your program
  • Your strategic plan is done, but your fiscal sponsorship program still feels unresolved
  • Your program has grown faster than your policies and processes have
  • A new leader has come in and wants a clear picture of what they’ve inherited
  • A project situation put you on alert and you want to make sure it doesn’t happen again — and understand what other issues might be lurking
  • You’ve been offering fiscal sponsorship informally and the time has come to tighten things up

Any one of these is reason enough to bring in an outside expert. That’s exactly what our Fiscal Sponsorship Program Review is designed for.

What It Is:
The Fiscal Sponsorship Program Review is a structured, expert-led review of your fiscal sponsorship program — covering the areas that matter most to your current situation. You’ll come away with a clear picture of where things stand, where the gaps are, and what to do about them.

Because every program is different, we offer three levels of engagement:

Focused Review — $6,000 to $9,000
Best for organizations with one or two specific problem areas to work through, or those with smaller and simpler programs. We zero in on what’s most pressing and give you targeted, actionable recommendations.

Full Program Review — $12,000 to $18,000
Best for organizations that want a comprehensive look at their program across multiple issue areas. This is the most common engagement for mid-size sponsors navigating several of the triggers above at once.

Complex Program Review — $20,000 to $28,000
Best for organizations running multiple fiscal sponsorship models, managing large project portfolios, or facing significant strategic questions about their program’s future.

Not sure which level is right for you?

Start with the FS Program Snapshot.

For $2,500, we’ll conduct a structured intake process — a focused survey and one or two calls — and deliver a short scoping memo that tells you exactly where your program stands and which level of review fits your situation. If you move forward with a full review, the Snapshot fee is credited toward your engagement.

It’s the lowest-risk way to get started — and you’ll walk away with something useful either way.

Ready to take a closer look?

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Have a question about this service? Please see the FAQ below or email us at hello@schulmanconsulting.com.

FAQ

What is the Fiscal Sponsorship Program Review?

  • The Fiscal Sponsorship Program Review is a consulting engagement to help leaders of fiscal sponsorship programs improve their Program’s operations. It’s based around a number of common triggers that often signal to fiscal sponsor leaders that thinks aren’t operating as well as they could be. No matter what your organization is dealing with, Schulman Consulting can show you how to shore up your program.

Who is the Fiscal Sponsorship Program Review for?

  • The Fiscal Sponsorship Program Review is for fiscal sponsors that are looking to take improve their program.

How does this work?

  • Once you schedule your introductory call we’ll get on the phone for 20-30 minutes to talk through your current situation. After that call, we’ll set a start date after which we’ll work with you to do a thorough review of your fiscal sponsorship program and determine where the issues are — and how they can be resolved. Once our report is complete, we’ll discuss our findings and recommendations with you.

What’s the FS Program Snapshot and how is it related to the Program Assessment?

  • For organizations that aren’t sure they want to move forward with a Program Review or aren’t sure at which level, our FS Program Snapshot is one way to get started.
    The Snapshot follows a structured process that gives us a clear picture of your current practices across compliance, operations, and financial management.

    At the end of the Snapshot, you’ll receive a short written memo with our expert read on what we’re seeing — an honest interpretation of where the gaps and risks are, a plain-language assessment of what needs closer examination, and a clear recommendation on whether and how to proceed with a full Program Review (and which level).

How come I’ve never seen anything like this before?

  • That’s a valid question. Today, more than ever before, there are more options for startup nonprofits — and offering fiscal sponsorship is being seen by more and more nonprofits as a way to help those in their communities successfully start new projects. There are a number of legal and accounting guides to help organizations create and manage a fiscal sponsorship program, but the time is right for a specialized service focused on the operational aspects of running a fiscal sponsor.

How much does the Fiscal Sponsorship Program Review service cost?

  • It depends on how comprehensive of an assessment you’re looking for, so the cost can vary a bit, but usually falls within a range between $7,000-$8,000 (for a single pod) and $25,000 for a full assessment. By moving forward with your project, you and we both agree to our terms of service.

What are the payment terms for the Fiscal Sponsorship Program Review?

  • Payments are usually made in two equal installments — one before the work gets started and one after the initial recommendations are provided.

What if I’m not happy with the results?

  • Our goal is to provide you the tools, information and peace of mind to understand what it takes to run a successful fiscal sponsorship program — and actually do it. Our success is based on your success. If we start a project and determine that we can’t provide you with actionable recommendations, we will refund your money. If we get to the end of the project and you’re not satisfied with the results, we will make best efforts, to provide you with the information and resources that meet your needs.

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