Fiscal Sponsorship

Fiscal sponsorship is the primary way Stara supports community-led work in Kalamazoo. Learn what this relationship includes, the models available, and how prospective projects move through the application process.

What does fiscal sponsorship at Stara Collaborative include?

Through fiscal sponsorship, Stara shares the operational lift so grassroots leaders can focus where it matters most—on the people at the heart of our community who deserve change .

  • Thought Partnership

    We collaborate with project leads and their teams to offer grounded strategy and support as they grow their vision and programming. That includes help with grant applications and access to professional development that aligns with project goals.

  • Fund Development

    Projects can manage their organization's sponsors, donors, events and grants from one platform. Each project has a branded donation page to steer their supporters.

  • Quick Access to Funds

    Once projects gain funds through donations or grants, they can access them quickly through a Stara-issued purchase card—no delays or confusing approval loops. detailed monthly reports on your financial status, funds, and any donations received.

  • Communication Support

    Projects gain access to a premium Canva account and support with creating materials and preparing press releases so that grassroots work is shared with the volume it deserves.

  • Workspace

    Stara offers a shared space for organizers and project leads to meet, plan, and build. Projects can go through training to access the building independently at times that work for their programming.

  • Community

    Stara provides a hub atmosphere where projects can collaborate quickly and leverage connections across their different focuses - from direct service to direct action. All of our work is interconnected and we do it better together.

Sponsorship Models

Model A

Direct Project of Stara

In Model A, projects become a program of Stara. Project Leads guide the work and play a key role in all decisions.

Stara manages the legal and financial responsibilities—like signing grant agreements, managing funds, and handling paperwork.

While all Model A projects have a project advisory committee, the project is formally part of Stara and falls under the oversight of the Stara Collaborative Board of Directors.

Stara allocates 8% of funds received for the project to cover administrative expenses.

Model C

Preapproved Grant Relationship with Stara

In Model C, projects are more independent and maintain full legal and operational control.

Stara manages the grant agreement, reporting, and disbursement—making sure the process is clear, compliant, and aligned with funder expectations.

Model C projects also have access to advising support across strategy, fundraising and project development, operations, communications and administrative planning—helping your project stay grounded and on track.

Stara allocates 6% of funds received for the project to cover administrative expenses.

What kinds of projects work with Stara?

Stara supports projects at many different stages — whether stabilizing, growing, or shifting direction. Some are just beginning, others are expanding or refining long-standing work.

Our project budgets range from small pilots to established programs. Across that spectrum, Stara partners with leaders who are challenging systems in many different sectors, offering the infrastructure, guidance, and space needed to keep their work moving forward.

Fiscal Sponsorship at Stara

LifeHoops

Stara’s role? Providing fully integrated structure and seed support to relaunch.

Case Studies

LifeHoops began in 2016 as an after-school basketball and healing program in Chicago. After pausing to pursue further training and moving to Kalamazoo, founder Laird Walker still held the same vision: using basketball, restorative circles, and mentorship to help Black and Brown boys build connection, resilience, and healing. To restart the work, the program needed financial infrastructure, legal accountability, and a trusted organizational home.

In 2024, LifeHoops became a Model A fiscally sponsored project of Stara, meaning it operates fully within Stara’s legal and financial structure. Stara supported Laird with seed funding, support contracting with the Juvenile Home, grant applications, and shared workspace.

With administrative work held by Stara, Laird was able to focus on building trust, programming, and youth relationships rather than forming a nonprofit overnight. Fiscal sponsorship allowed LifeHoops to grow one step at a time — program first, paperwork second.

ELLAS

Stara’s role? Stabilizing infrastructure for a well-established community program.

ELLAS (Empowering Latine Leaders & Advocates for Success) had already been providing culturally rooted healing spaces, mentorship, and community-building for Latine women and girls for several years before coming to Stara. Their work centers identity, wellness, celebration, and collective care. In 2024, ELLAS transitioned its fiscal sponsorship from Gryphon Place to align with a sponsor focused fully on long-term infrastructure and capacity-building.

Now as a Model A fiscally sponsored project, ELLAS operates under Stara’s financial and legal systems. Through this relationship, they’ve been able to host events, access Stara’s workspace after hours through key fobs, apply for grants with clear financial documentation, and hire a program coordinator using Stara’s payroll and HR processes. With structure and administration held by Stara, ELLAS has been able to focus on deepening its cultural, healing, and leadership work in community.

Fatherhood Network

Stara’s role: Administrative backbone while honoring program independence

The Fatherhood Network has spent more than five years building spaces for fathers — especially Black fathers and fathers of color — to connect, heal, and strengthen their families through peer groups, mentorship, and community advocacy. It was originally fiscally sponsored by the Kalamazoo Youth Development Network (KYD Network), but transitioned to Stara when it needed a sponsor whose primary work is fiscal sponsorship and long-term infrastructure rather than direct youth programming.

Under a Model C fiscal sponsorship, Stara maintains the legal and financial structure for the Fatherhood Network, while the project continues to run its own programming independently. Stara manages back-end accountability — contracts, compliance, liability coverage, financial systems — so the Fatherhood Network can stay focused on supporting fathers without needing to operate as a full nonprofit. This model allows the work to stay rooted in community while still being funded, protected, and sustainable.

5

Core

Competencies

Stara Alignment

Shared values, trust, and a commitment to equity and systems change.

Every project at Stara shares a foundation in the same five core competencies.

Community Rootedness

Work shaped by and accountable to the community it serves.

Program Outcomes & Impact

Clarity about what the project does, who it’s for, and what change it aims to create.

Fund Development Capacity

A realistic budget and an active approach to securing funding.

Infrastructure Readiness

Basic willingness and systems for communication, planning, and decision-making — even if still developing.

Application Process

Stara builds relationships rooted in trust, not transactions. Our approach to fiscal sponsorship is transparent, values-led, and grounded in clear communication—so you always know how decisions are made and where your project stands. See the full process:

  • Prospective projects start by filling out a short form to tell us about their work. If it seems like a potential fit, we’ll invite you to meet with a member of the Stara team.

  • This conversation helps us both learn more and see if applying for fiscal sponsorship at Stara is the right next step.

  • If it feels aligned, Stara will invite prospective project leads to complete an application, with 1-2 parts depending on the Model.

  • The Stara team reviews applications and may follow up with questions or requests for more information from prospective projects.

  • At this stage, Stara reviews documents, assess readiness, and clarifies final details before entering into agreement.

  • If approved, Stara will initiate a contract signing process and onboarding—welcoming projects into the Stara network with support, structure, and shared vision.

Request Inquiry Meeting