Fiscal Sponsorship
Fiscal Sponsorship by a 501(c)(3) empowers neighborhood groups and even businesses to stretch their budgets while accomplishing projects for the public good.
A 501(c)(3) can accept tax-deductible donations, foundation grants, and employer matching dollars to fund charitable work like yours. When non-501(c)(3) organizations do charitable work, they can partner with a 501(c)(3) Fiscal Sponsor in order to tap these extra financial sources. That’s why Urban Sparks invests in being a high quality fiscal sponsor for neighborhood groups and corporations.
It’s a service to projects,
but also to donors who want to support local change.
Leadership + History
Who and What is Urban Sparks? Get the story on our About page.
Consulting & Facilitation
Creating Uplifting Places to Live and Play
Urban Sparks assists those who share their professional talents with the community, making parks, gardens, trails, education programs, and buildings — whatever helps improve society and its outlook.
Starting from scratch can be daunting — instead, start with us. We share resources, tips, inspirational stories and the experience of many who have succeeded.
Others’ experiences and resources can speed you on your way.
Look at our Projects, Networking and Links, and Now What? pages. Soon you’ll know where to begin. If you’re ready now, we can be your fiscal agent.
Our Photo Gallery is an invaluable resource with organized photos of parks and details that can help you imagine how your project might look.
Volunteers of all types find deep satisfaction.
Whatever your skills or passion, it feels good to give to your community. Read our Volunteer Profiles to get a taste.
Contact us for help with your project ideas
Our network is growing all the time, so we can help you find partners for your project. If your project is generous and good for the community, people will enjoy helping. Our contact information is at the bottom of every page.
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Birth Tenets of Urban Sparks
In 2003 Urban Sparks was born in a file box with our four guiding principles artfully depicted on the sides and with the most important one – YES – spelled out across the front. Inside were all of the applications necessary to form a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Our guiding principles: YES – Excellence – Conscious Evolution – Iconic Good
YES! Have you ever said YES and then been struck by the speed with which the next question comes – How?
NO is the easy answer, no work needed, no trouble started. Leaders say YES as they challenge the status quo and creatively make change, change that may not be fully appreciated for years. We started Urban Sparks to support and acknowledge the strength and vision of those leaders.
Conscious Evolution – is why Urban Sparks supports change. We believe that citizens can choose how and where humanity will evolve, not by genetic one-upmanship, but by caring communities consciously striving to improve.
Excellence – is accomplishing something that is important and personally meaningful. While that something is different for each of us at different times, when we strive for excellence, we challenge ourselves as much as we challenge outside forces. We seldom simply stroll to excellence. Some goals can take years of visioning, effort and creative problem solving to reach. At Urban Sparks, we love to help unlock human potential along paths to excellence.
Iconic Good – refers to visible examples of community projects that, while serving the public, also serve to inspire new leaders and volunteers to pursue their dreams for community. We like to install plaques and post web stories so that the hard earned knowledge of project teams isn’t forgotten and so that others may be inspired to act on their ideas for the public good.
Urban Sparks 