# About Host Partners

#### What is a host partner?

A host partner (also called a fiscal host or fiscal sponsor) is an established nonprofit organization that receives and manages funds on behalf of groups that don't have their own nonprofit status.

For example, if you're a land steward working with a community group, but you don’t have a registered nonprofit, a host partner can receive donations on your behalf, then transfer those funds to you for a fee.

#### What does a host partner do?

A host partner will typically carry certain responsibilities to support organizations without nonprofit status to raise money.

These include:

* Receiving donations on your behalf
* Disbursing funds (to your organization) and ensuring they're used for stated purposes
* Providing financial oversight and reporting (often minimal for small projects)
* Sometimes offering additional support like insurance, legal guidance, or training

#### Is there a cost?

Typically, host partners take 5-15% of funds to cover their administrative costs. This is separate from Stripe's payment processing fees and must be negotiated directly with your host partner.

#### Do I need a host partner?

You may need a host partner in order to participate in a funding round on Ma Earth if one or both of the following apply:

1. **You're not a registered nonprofit, e.g.**

* You're an informal community group
* You're a collective without legal incorporation
* You're in the process of getting nonprofit status but not there yet
* You’re a business

2. **You're in a country where Ma Earth can't process payments directly.** Even if you are a registered nonprofit, our current payment processing (Stripe) only works in [certain countries](https://stripe.com/global#:~:text=Australia,United%20States). A host partner in a Stripe-supported country enables you to receive funding.

#### How do I find a host partner?

In our next funding round, Ma Earth will be able to connect some projects to host partners.

*If you have been accepted to the next funding round,* [*contact us*](https://maearth.com/contact) *if you do not have a host partner for your project and think you may need one.*

#### What should I do do now?

If you have been accepted to a funding round, but do not yet have a host partner, here's how to get set up:

1. [Contact us](https://maearth.com/contact) to discuss options for connecting with a host partner.
2. Once confirmed, ask your host partner to create an account on Ma Earth. They will receive an email invitation from us once you add them to your project, but may need a reminder.
3. As your project receives crowdfunding donations on Ma Earth, your host partner can disburse funds to you according to your agreement with them.
4. After the funding round is complete, your host partner transfers your matching funds to you.


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