We review applications carefully and respond to every submission. Before you begin, please read the information below.
Selym Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Creative Arts Empowerment Network (CAEN) administers this fiscal sponsorship program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Before You Apply — Please Read This First
We take every application seriously. That means we ask you to come prepared.
This is not a form you fill out in five minutes on a whim. It is the beginning of a professional relationship. The quality of your application tells us a great deal about the quality of your work.
Before you submit, confirm the following:
- ✓ You have read our Fiscal Sponsorship Program page in full
- ✓ Your project clearly aligns with arts, culture, healing, civic engagement, or storytelling
- ✓ You have a defined project — not just a general idea or aspiration
- ✓ You can describe your project’s purpose, audience, and intended outcomes clearly
- ✓ You have a realistic sense of your project’s funding needs and timeline
- ✓ You are prepared to operate transparently and meet reporting requirements
If you can confirm all of the above — we look forward to your application.
If your project is still forming, you are not sure of your scope, or you are primarily looking for information about what fiscal sponsorship is — we recommend reading our Fiscal Sponsorship Program page first. If you have specific questions before applying, email us at fiscalsponsorship@selyminc.org before submitting. We prefer a brief email conversation over an incomplete application.
What to Gather Before You Begin
The application takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete carefully. Have the following ready before you start:
- ✓ Your full name, contact information, and location
- ✓ The project’s name and a one-sentence description
- ✓ A detailed project description (300–500 words): what you are building, who it serves, and why it matters
- ✓ An estimated annual project budget (does not need to be final — a realistic range is sufficient)
- ✓ Your project timeline: anticipated start date, key milestones, and duration
- ✓ Links to your website, portfolio, or any relevant work samples
- ✓ A resume or CV for the primary project lead (PDF upload)
- ✓ Two professional or community references who can speak to your work and character (name + email)
- ✓ Budget or financial plan document, if available (PDF upload — optional but strongly recommended)
Note: Incomplete applications — missing a project description, budget estimate, or reference contacts — will not advance in the review process. We will contact you to request the missing information, but a complete first submission significantly accelerates your timeline.
After You Submit — Here Is What Happens
Within 1 Business Day
You receive an automatic confirmation email with your application reference number and our full review timeline.
Within 3–5 Business Days
Our team completes an initial review for mission alignment and completeness. If we need additional information, we will reach out via email.
Discovery Call (If Advancing)
If your application moves forward, we invite you to a 30-minute Discovery Call. This is a conversation about your project and a chance for both parties to ask questions. We schedule these within 5 business days of the initial review.
Decision
You receive a written decision within 5 business days of the Discovery Call — acceptance, declination, or a request for additional information. We communicate clearly and respectfully in all cases.
Onboarding (If Accepted)
Accepted projects receive a Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement, a welcome packet, and an onboarding call to set up your fund and walk through the first steps.
Total timeline from submission to decision: 10–15 business days. If your situation has urgency (e.g., a grant deadline approaching), note it in your application. We will do our best to accommodate time-sensitive reviews.
Ready? Complete the Application Below.
All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. If you experience any technical issues with the form, email your application materials directly to fiscalsponsorship@selyminc.org with subject line: “Fiscal Sponsorship Application — [Your Project Name]”