FAQs

As a leading funder intermediary, NEO Philanthropy is a bridge between community-based groups closest to our shared challenges and philanthropists invested in the long-term success of social justice movements. NEO Philanthropy manages issue-focused collaborative funds, provides infrastructure support (HR, legal, finance, operations) for nonprofit groups through fiscal sponsorship, and supports tailored donor initiatives through our strategic partnership programs.

A philanthropic intermediary bridges the gap that often exists between funders and nonprofit groups doing movement-building work. Funders may work with an intermediary to help them deliver timely and efficient grantmaking, provide program design and implementation, advise on strategy, and/or engage multiple stakeholders. Nonprofit organizations that hold their own legal entity may work with intermediaries to receive funding from collaborative funds. Nonprofit groups that do not hold their own legal entity may work with an intermediary to simplify core functions like HR, legal, finance, and operations. Usually, groups work with an intermediary to achieve a goal that would be difficult or impossible to achieve on their own.

Collaborative funds have a few different names. Sometimes called pooled funds, donor collaboratives, or funder collaboratives, these are all groups that come together to share strategy, capital, and/or resources toward a unified charitable purpose or vision. Core components typically include multiple donors, either a resource or time commitment, agreed governance structure, and shared vision or goals. The Philanthropic Collaborations Database names more than 300 collaborative groups covering a range of issue areas, geographies, and community partnerships. NEO has been at the forefront of strong collaborative funds for decades, including our flagship funds: Four Freedoms Fund and State Infrastructure Fund. These funds leverage a mix of deep field expertise, efficient processes, and relationships with both funders and communities to achieve significant impact.

A fiscal sponsor is an IRS-registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that sponsors for an individual or project’s charitable work, accepting and administering funds on its behalf. Fiscal sponsorship gives groups a non-profit “home” and allows them to focus on their programmatic work while the fiscal sponsor manages the financial, HR and legal elements, giving the projects the room they need to make a significant impact on the world.

In order to be eligible to apply to NEO for Fiscal Sponsorship, you must meet the following criteria:

– Reflect a similar commitment to the goals set forth in NEO’s mission;

– The work supported must be for purposes which are legal, further a legitimate tax-exempt purpose and in no way jeopardize the tax status of NEO;

– Meet the requirements outlined in the Review Criteria section of the application; and

– The project budget must meet NEO’s budget guidelines for active projects. Please inquire to learn about budget restriction.

To be considered for fiscal sponsorship, please submit the form on our fiscal sponsorship page.

NEO Philanthropy does not accept unsolicited grant requests or proposals. Our collaborative funds, projects, and initiatives each have deep field expertise and build long-term relationships with grantee organizations as a practice. In most cases, potential grantees are invited to submit grant proposals by one of our team members.

NEO Philanthropy is funded by individual and institutional donors. NEO does not receive funding from government sources or grants. NEO’s financial reports (IRS form 990) for the latest five fiscal years are available for download on our website’s financials page.

NEO philanthropy partners with funders and social justice movements working to achieve long-term, systemic change.

Our core program areas of focus are immigration, democracy, reproductive justice, racial justice, climate justice, and LGBTQ rights. However, not all of NEO’s work can be defined by these categories and many of these intersect.