***nonprofit A nonprofit does not have to have a physical sponsor if it chooses not to. It can stand on its own as long as it follows the rules for its mission and finances. ***physical sponsor A physical sponsor can allow you to operate under their umbrella, and they will assume the responsibility for compliance adherence. They may charge a fee, or they may not, for this contractual agreement. [SECT ION 9] The one worry that is now off my plate is feeling like knowing where to find funding resources is some big secret hidden behind a door I don’t have access to. I have not only learned where to find this wealth of information, but I’m also learning how to make it properly apply to me and how to implement it without risk and within compliance. Thank you @Tiffany Gaines **The Fiscal Sponsor** *Groupmuse Foundation — My strongest music + community combination I chose this one because Groupmuse puts musicians first, helps us build stronger local music communities, and supports the economic independence and sustainable careers I want to create for artists in my community. *NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship I chose this one because NYFA gives individual artists access to fiscal sponsorship, grant opportunities, and tax-deductible donations while supporting creative projects like mine that are designed to serve and empower the community. *American Composers Forum I chose this one because American Composers Forum is specifically built to support musicians and music projects, giving artists like me access to grants and tax-deductible contributions without having to create my own 501(c)(3), while offering a reasonable structure with a 6% administrative fee and a $300 minimum once I submit my project description, budget, and prospective funders.

In my own words, a nonprofit is: A nonprofit is an organization created to help and serve people. It comes with a board, paperwork, yearly reporting, and rules about how the money can be used. In my own words, a fiscal sponsor is: A fiscal sponsor is an established nonprofit that allows your program to work under its nonprofit status. It can receive certain grants and tax-deductible donations on your behalf, take out its fee, and help make sure the money is handled correctly. Which one is me right now, and why: For Built From Ashes, a fiscal sponsor is the best fit for me right now. I also do not need to create another nonprofit just to apply for grants. I can take my time, compare my options, and choose an organization that truly understands my movement and aligns with the people I want to serve. The fiscal sponsors that caught my attention: 1. Fresh Arts — Houston: This one caught my attention the most because it supports Houston-area programs built around music, storytelling, education, wellness, and community engagement. Built From Ashes uses guided journaling, music, creative reflection, and personal storytelling, so I feel this could be a strong fit. 2. The Narrative Project — Houston: This organization stood out because it supports BIPOC-led, community-driven programs centered around healing, storytelling, leadership, mental health, women, education, and the arts. That connects with the heart of Built From Ashes and the people I want to help. 3. Austin Creative Alliance — Austin: This organization supports creative programs involving music, writing, performances, arts education, and community work. It may not be my first choice because it is based in Austin, but it showed me that there are other options available in Texas. One worry about grants this lesson took off my plate: I no longer have to worry that seeing “nonprofits only” means Built From Ashes cannot apply. I now know that I do not have to rush out and build another nonprofit. I can find the right fiscal sponsor, borrow that door, and keep moving forward with my program. @Tiffany Gaines 😉

Separating My Fiscal Sponsorship Strategy ♟️🧠💭 Today I shared that Briarwood Arts Center has agreed to serve as the fiscal sponsor for Between Worlds Foundation while my 501(c)(3) status is being established ✅💪 That partnership gives me a bridge to begin pursuing support for the education/community side of the mission instead of waiting for every piece of infrastructure to be finished 🫡 But during class, Tiffany gave me another important piece of direction ** DON’T AUTOMATICALLY USE THE SAME FISCAL SPONSORSHIP FOR BOTH LANES** Between Worlds Foundation and my artist-led work are connected, but they serve two different purposes ✌️🤖➕🎶 Between Worlds Foundation is centered around AI education, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, workforce development and expanding access to technology in Jackson with the bigger vision of an AI education center long term🤖 My artist-led work is centered around music, creativity, cultural experiences, storytelling and the Between Worlds artist movement empowering artist to use the tools in front of them to express themselves 🎶🎙️ ALIGNED, but SEPARATE visions!!!! 🧘‍♀️🤖 So for my Borrow, Don’t Build homework, I went back to the Fiscal Sponsor Directory specifically looking for an organization that could potentially sponsor the artist-led grant opportunities separately One organization that immediately stood out was Foundation for the Mid South. According to its directory profile, they have been providing fiscal sponsorship since 1998, have sponsored 246 projects, serve projects in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana, and list arts & culture, education, economic development, youth development, community development and workforce development among the types of work they support. That overlap caught my attention because the creative work I’m building doesn’t sit in only one box 👀🧠 So my next move is to investigate whether this existing institution with decades of infrastructure could become the appropriate fiscal home for the artist-led side of the work

Richie Stonecold | Hands That Heal For my Day 25 assignment, I chose to attend the event Poetry with Purpose by HAVEN on October 16, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Greens on Tenth in Modesto. The reason I chose this event is because it aligns with my movement, Hands That Heal, perfectly. Hands That Heal is a movement that helps men transform pain, anger, and past mistakes into purpose, responsibility, and healing. We serve men who are ready to acknowledge their past, take ownership of their actions, and pursue real redemption. Through mentorship, accountability, and practical tools—especially our 30-day Better Man Project—we help men develop emotional awareness, healthier responses, and the skills needed to repair relationships and positively impact their families and communities. We believe redemption is possible when a man is willing to face himself, heal what is broken, and commit to becoming better. HAVEN (Healthy Alternatives to Violent Environments) is a nonprofit that provides comprehensive crisis intervention, advocacy, education, and support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in Stanislaus County. Their work focuses on safety, healing, accountability education, and breaking the cycle of violence for individuals and families. By attending this event, I look to network and support the exact community I’m looking to impact—men, families, and allies who believe in healing, responsibility, and restoration. Poetry with Purpose brings together survivors, artists, and allies in a space of creativity and connection. Showing up allows me to build relationships with organizations already doing important work in this space and to represent Hands That Heal as a partner committed to helping men become better leaders, fathers, and community members.

“When you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears.” — Tony Robbins Before thinking about everything you need to do next week, take a moment to appreciate what's already in front of you. The people. The lessons. The opportunities. The moments you almost overlooked. Sometimes we spend so much time reaching for what's next that we forget to appreciate what's already here. 😉