Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arts And Culture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves fiscal sponsorship to boost fundraising for Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Summary
To reduce city subsidy and expand fundraising, the council approved entering a fiscal sponsorship arrangement for the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, a faster and lower‑cost option than creating a standalone nonprofit. Staff estimate roughly $100,000 in donations in Year 1 with potential growth.
The City Council on June 12 approved staff's recommendation to pursue a fiscal‑sponsorship arrangement for the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) so the venue can accept tax‑exempt donations it cannot receive as a municipal department.
Consultant Susan DeLand told the council a fiscal sponsor can launch "in 1 to 2 months" and generally charges a fee of roughly 5–15% of funds raised in exchange for donation processing, legal and financial oversight. DeLand contrasted that with forming a standalone non‑profit, which can take 1–2 years and incurs higher startup overhead.
City staff and consultants projected an initial increase of approximately $100,000 in contributed income in the first year after launching a fiscal sponsor, with potential for much larger growth as donor relationships develop. Council members supported the approach and voted unanimously to approve the staff recommendation.
The action directs staff to select a fiscal sponsor partner and work through an implementation agreement; staff said they will return with a recommended sponsor, fees and a governance framework for council review.
