Connection begins with people
The real world needs what you’re building.
Good things happen when people come together. We help community builders give their work a charitable home—and help donors support the people making it happen.
Expressions of interest are welcome from anywhere in the United States, any time of year.
The Spark community
Good work begins with people who care enough to start.
The Spark community and alumni include Peptoc, Healdsburg Dance Collective, Trip the Light, and Laguna Lab.
Meet more Sparks“When Peptoc went viral we needed to find a way to fundraise to keep the hotline going. Launch Pad made it possible to get started, and has been a critical bridge, as we transition to non-profit status.”
What a Spark is
You lead the work. Launch Pad gives it a charitable home.
A Spark is community-led work supported through a Model C fiscal sponsorship with Launch Pad Foundation. You lead the vision, relationships, fundraising, and day-to-day work. LPF approves the charitable purpose, receives contributions in its own name, and oversees how charitable funds are used. Our written agreement sets out the responsibilities on both sides.
A charitable home
Raise charitable support through LPF without starting your own nonprofit first.
Clear responsibilities
You lead the project and its supporter relationships; LPF provides charitable oversight and donation infrastructure.
Analog OS
Use tools designed to see gifts, available funds, requests, and reporting in one place.
The standard fiscal-sponsorship fee is 8% of the net funds LPF receives for a Spark after payment processing fees, as described in the written agreement. Fiscal sponsorship does not guarantee LPF funding or a built-in donor audience.
Illustrative product view
The Platform
Tools for running a Spark.
Analog OS helps Spark leaders track gifts, available funds, payment requests and reporting in one place.
Analog Commons · Coming soon
Free tools for gathering people, in development.
Alongside Analog OS for Sparks, Launch Pad is developing Analog Commons: free, open-source tools for creators and community builders. We’re preparing the first releases.
What happens next
A small first step. A clear path forward.
- 01
Share your interest
A short initial expression of interest — about two minutes. No deck, budget, or committed funding is needed.
- 02
LPF reviews fit
We review mission and charitable fit. If the work aligns, we invite you to complete the full application. An invitation is not acceptance.
- 03
Complete the full application
Invited applicants share more detail — about 10–15 minutes if your information is ready. Your earlier answers carry forward.
- 04
Acceptance and onboarding
Acceptance is a separate decision. Accepted Sparks sign a written agreement and begin onboarding. Acceptance does not guarantee LPF funding.
Year-round Spark interest
The real world needs what you’re building.
Wherever you are in the United States, you can share your interest in becoming a Spark any time of year.
Share your interestContributions to Launch Pad Foundation may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. If you receive goods or services in return, the deductible portion is generally limited to the amount of your contribution that exceeds their fair market value. Please consult your tax adviser.