In light of the exceptional circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Conseil des arts de Montréal is taking steps to ensure the continuity of its Fiscal Sponsorship program. To better reflect the situation facing the arts community today and the associated challenges, the Conseil has updated the program’s measures.
Arts organizations are currently in an extremely vulnerable position in regard to the soundness of their financial projections and their ability to maintain their operations as a result of the forced interruption or slowdown of their activities and the loss of own-source revenue.
Moreover, the pandemic has presented organizations receiving support from the Fiscal Sponsorship program with the following challenges:
- Adjustments to planned fundraising activities (cancelling or postponing fundraisers, emergency fundraising campaigns, etc.)
- Inability to complete their activities by the deadlines specified in their agreements
- Delay in obtaining charitable organization status caused by a slowdown in the activities of the Canada Revenue Agency’s Charities Directorate, until further notice
The Conseil des arts de Montréal has therefore introduced the following three measures to give organizations supported by the Fiscal Sponsorship program greater flexibility:
1- Suspension of administration fees
As an exception, all Fiscal Sponsorship program administration fees will be suspended from January 1 to December 31, 2021. This measure will apply to all donations received under the Fiscal Sponsorship program, whether online or by cheque. In concrete terms, this means that the Conseil des arts de Montréal will not deduct any administration fees from the sums collected during the period in question.
2- Modification of fundraising activities and artistic activities provided for in their agreement
Organizations supported by the Fiscal Sponsorship program will be able to modify the fundraising activities and artistic activities set out in their agreements, provided that they submit a request to that effect, that the activities in question meet the program requirements, and that they are approved by the Arts and Philanthropy Project Manager.
3- Extension of agreement terms
Sponsorship agreements ending in December 2020 can be extended until June 2021 for organizations that submit a request to that effect to the Arts and Philanthropy Project Manager.
The Conseil des arts de Montréal is aware of the financial pressure that this unique situation is putting on the arts community. We hope that these measures will provide you with a little relief and some flexibility in your efforts to diversify your income streams.
We remain, as ever, committed and attentive to the needs of the community in regard to the challenges that are sorely trying the Montreal arts community, among others.
Nathalie Maillé
Executive Director
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