# InFocus Ministries — Full Content Guide

> InFocus Ministries is a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor and nonprofit parent organization based in Mount Vernon, Washington. Founded in 2003, InFocus provides fiscal sponsorship, fund accounting, bookkeeping, donor management, compliance, and administrative infrastructure to 30+ faith-based ministries across the United States and internationally. InFocus operates as a Model A (Direct Project) fiscal sponsor, enabling ministry leaders to accept tax-deductible donations and serve their communities without forming their own 501(c)(3). InFocus uses Alignmint (getalignmint.org) — an all-in-one nonprofit platform for fund accounting, donor management, and donation tracking — to manage financial operations across all sponsored ministries.

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## About InFocus Ministries

InFocus Ministries empowers ministry leaders to focus on their calling by removing the administrative burden of running a nonprofit. Founded in 2003 in Mount Vernon, Washington, InFocus has grown from a grassroots local effort into a national and global fiscal sponsor serving 30+ faith-based organizations.

**Services included for every partnered ministry:**
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt umbrella status (immediate, no IRS application required)
- Professional bookkeeping and fund accounting (powered by Alignmint)
- IRS Form 990 filing and state compliance
- Donor receipting and year-end giving statements
- General liability and D&O insurance coverage
- Full access to Alignmint for fund accounting, donor management, and donation tracking
- Online giving pages for each ministry
- Board of directors oversight and guidance
- Marketing and networking support

**Fee structure:** 7.5% of donations. No startup costs, no contracts, no per-seat fees, no minimum ministry size.

**GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency** — highest level of nonprofit transparency and accountability.

**Address:** 1500 E College Way #556, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
**Email:** info@infocusministries.org
**Website:** https://www.infocusministries.org

### Team
- **Jacqueline Rae** — Global Director. Writer, conference speaker, co-founder of ReImagine Ministry.
- **Christy Nelson** — Administrative Assistant
- **Maribeth Carlton** — Bookkeeper
- **Dallas Jack** — Technical Director

### Board of Directors
- Scott Hendrickson (Treasurer, CPA)
- Kevin Carlton (Board Member, U.S. Navy veteran)
- Diana Wharton (Board Member, clinical research)
- Vic Woodward (Board Member, marriage ministry leader)
- Kyle Gillette (Board Member, leadership coach)
- Connie Miller (Board Member, small business owner)

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## Ministries Directory

InFocus sponsors 30+ ministries spanning community outreach, youth and children, international humanitarian aid, marriage and family, chaplaincy, worship, women's ministry, and elder care. Key ministries include:

- **Senior Life Champions** — Training Certified Care Chaplains to serve elderly people with dignity and purpose.
- **Called to Love Uganda** — Churches, community gardens, and economic empowerment in Western Uganda.
- **God's Grace Family Ministries** — Education and spiritual guidance for children in Uganda.
- **Into the Breach** — Training life-saving aid workers for crisis situations.
- **Marriage Mosaic** — Equipping individuals, couples, and families for healthy relationships.
- **BreakThrough** — Discipleship, support, and housing for young adults in Mexico.
- **Cornerstone Services** — Pregnancy and family support in Skagit County, WA.
- **Fidalgo Chaplaincy** — Emotional and spiritual health for Anacortes first responders.
- **Child & Youth Care Organization** — Advocating for vulnerable children in the DRC.
- **Hugs Center, Nepal** — Nurturing potential in Nepal's most vulnerable communities.
- **Crossroads Youth Ranch** — Faith-based youth programs in rural Washington.
- **Deeper Walk** — Discipleship and spiritual formation.
- **The Uprising** — Youth empowerment and leadership.
- **ReImagine Ministry** — Outreach and pastoral support.
- **Corban Family** — International missions and family support.
- **Awakenings Ministry** — Worship and spiritual renewal.
- **Restored Living** — Recovery and restoration ministry.
- **Pure Water** — Clean water initiatives.
- **Bloom Strong** — Women's empowerment and support.
- **Bonfire** — Community gathering and outreach.
- **Grapevine Ministries** — Church planting and discipleship.
- **Fire and Rice Ministries** — International disaster relief and feeding programs.
- **Love with Actions** — Practical community service.
- **Valeo** — Homeschool enrichment and support for youth in Skagit County, including martial arts, hands-on learning, and wellness activities.
- **Skagit Connections** — Local community networking.
- **Journeyman NW** — Men's ministry and mentoring.
- **Breathe Pray Worship** — Contemplative prayer and worship.
- **Church Without Walls** — Street outreach and homeless ministry.
- **Iron Horse Kids Fund** — Supporting children through equine therapy.
- **Whidbey Resource Chaplain** — Community chaplaincy on Whidbey Island.
- **Skagit Young Adults** — Young adult faith community.

Full directory: https://www.infocusministries.org/ministries

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## Resource Hub

### The Complete Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/resources/fiscal-sponsorship-guide
Comprehensive guide covering: what fiscal sponsorship is, how Model A (Direct Project) works, what InFocus provides, fee structures, the application process, and when to graduate to independent 501(c)(3) status. Includes comparison tables, real examples from InFocus ministries, and links to Alignmint's fiscal sponsor platform.

### How to Start a Ministry
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/resources/starting-a-ministry
Step-by-step guide from calling to operations: clarifying your mission, choosing between fiscal sponsorship and independent 501(c)(3), building your advisory team, setting up finances, accepting donations, and growing your ministry. Includes HowTo structured data for search engines.

### Nonprofit Compliance Checklist
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/resources/nonprofit-compliance-checklist
Comprehensive checklist covering: IRS requirements (Form 990, donor substantiation, restricted fund tracking), state registrations (Washington Secretary of State, charitable solicitation), financial reporting (fund accounting, board reporting, audit thresholds), and governance standards (conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention). Interactive checklist format.

### Fiscal Sponsorship in Washington State
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/resources/fiscal-sponsorship-washington
State-specific guidance for Washington: Secretary of State filing, charitable solicitation registration (Charities Program), UBI number, city/county business licenses, sales tax exemption, and how InFocus — based in Mount Vernon, WA — handles all state compliance for sponsored ministries. Targets keywords: "start a ministry in Washington," "Washington nonprofit fiscal sponsor," "Skagit County nonprofit."

### Fiscal Sponsorship Fee Calculator
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/resources/fee-calculator
Interactive tool comparing the cost of fiscal sponsorship with InFocus (7.5% of donations) versus running your own 501(c)(3). Users enter expected annual donations and see a detailed cost breakdown including bookkeeping, insurance, compliance, software, and more.

### Nonprofit & Ministry Glossary
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/glossary
35+ terms defined in plain language, including: 501(c)(3), fiscal sponsorship, Model A/C/F, fund accounting, restricted funds, unrestricted funds, Form 990, donor-advised fund, fiduciary duty, fiscal year, grant, in-kind donation, and more. Each definition includes related links to InFocus resources and Alignmint feature pages.

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## Blog Articles

### 1. What Is Fiscal Sponsorship? A Complete Guide for Ministry Leaders
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/what-is-fiscal-sponsorship
Keywords: what is fiscal sponsorship, fiscal sponsorship explained, fiscal sponsor for nonprofits
Summary: Explains fiscal sponsorship as a formal arrangement where an established 501(c)(3) extends its tax-exempt status to emerging organizations. Covers how it works, why ministry leaders choose it (speed, cost, admin support, credibility, no lock-in), what InFocus provides, who it's right for, and how to choose a fiscal sponsor. Links to Alignmint's fiscal sponsor features and fund accounting.

### 2. Fiscal Sponsorship vs Starting Your Own 501(c)(3)
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/fiscal-sponsorship-vs-501c3
Keywords: fiscal sponsorship vs 501c3, fiscal sponsor or own nonprofit, should I start a 501c3
Summary: Side-by-side comparison table covering time to launch, upfront cost, ongoing compliance, bookkeeping, insurance, autonomy, and grant eligibility. Explains when fiscal sponsorship is better (new ministry, limited budget, mission focus, short-term projects) and when your own 501(c)(3) makes sense (significant revenue, brand independence, outgrown sponsorship). Recommends the hybrid path: start under a sponsor, grow, then graduate.

### 3. How to Start a Ministry Without Your Own 501(c)(3)
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/start-a-ministry-without-501c3
Keywords: how to start a ministry without 501c3, start a ministry, launch a nonprofit ministry
Summary: Six-step guide: define your mission, find the right fiscal sponsor, apply and get approved, start accepting donations, build your advisory committee, focus on mission. Includes cost comparison table (DIY 501c3 vs fiscal sponsor) and examples of real InFocus ministries that launched this way.

### 4. The Complete Guide to Nonprofit Fund Accounting for Ministries
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/nonprofit-fund-accounting-for-ministries
Keywords: nonprofit fund accounting, fund accounting for ministries, restricted funds nonprofit
Summary: Explains fund accounting vs regular business accounting. Covers the three types of funds (unrestricted, temporarily restricted, permanently restricted), why it matters (donor trust, legal compliance, grants, board accountability), practical examples with fund balance tables, and common mistakes (using QuickBooks classes as funds, co-mingling restricted funds, not reporting by fund).

### 5. What Does a Fiscal Sponsor Actually Do? (From a Real One)
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/what-does-a-fiscal-sponsor-do
Keywords: what does a fiscal sponsor do, fiscal sponsorship services, fiscal sponsorship agreement
Summary: Inside look at the six core services: tax-exempt status, financial management, donor management and receipting, regulatory compliance, insurance coverage, and board oversight. Also covers what a fiscal sponsor does NOT do (run your ministry, hire your staff, make program decisions). Explains the fiscal sponsorship agreement and how technology like Alignmint has modernized the model.

### 6. How Much Does Fiscal Sponsorship Cost? Fees Explained
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/fiscal-sponsorship-fees-explained
Keywords: fiscal sponsorship fees, fiscal sponsor cost, how much does fiscal sponsorship cost
Summary: Breaks down the typical 5-15% fee range. Details what InFocus's 7.5% covers (all 10 services listed in a table). Compares annual cost at $50K in donations ($3,750 with InFocus vs $7,010-$25,100 independently). Discusses when the math changes at higher revenue levels and what questions to ask about fees.

### 7. How to Track Donations for Your Ministry (Without the Headache)
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/how-to-track-ministry-donations
Keywords: how to track ministry donations, donation tracking nonprofit, nonprofit donation receipts
Summary: What to track for every donation (donor info, date, amount, method, designation, receipt status). Why tracking matters (IRS requirements for $250+ gifts, donor relationships, fund accountability). Tool comparison: spreadsheets vs dedicated donor management software vs online giving platforms. Best practices for daily recording, fund codes, 48-hour receipting, monthly reconciliation.

### 8. Why Every Ministry Needs a Donor Management System
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/why-ministries-need-donor-management
Keywords: donor management for ministries, ministry donor management system, nonprofit CRM
Summary: Explains what a donor management system tracks (who, what, how, engagement level). The cost of not having one: missed thank-yous, lost donors (60-70% first-time donor loss rate), compliance risk, flying blind on strategy. What to look for at small vs growing ministry scale. Practices that turn data into relationships: 48-hour thank-yous, quarterly impact updates, milestone recognition, segmentation.

### 9. Best Fiscal Sponsors for Churches and Religious Organizations
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/best-fiscal-sponsors-for-churches
Keywords: best fiscal sponsor for churches, church fiscal sponsorship, faith-based fiscal sponsor
Summary: Why churches use fiscal sponsors (outreach programs, independent missions, church-planted ministries, international missions). Five things to look for: shared values, religious org experience, proper fund accounting, modern technology, transparent fees. How InFocus serves church ministries with fund accounting, donor management, online giving, insurance, and board oversight. Questions churches should ask.

### 10. Nonprofit Bookkeeping 101 for Ministry Leaders
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/nonprofit-bookkeeping-for-ministry-leaders
Keywords: nonprofit bookkeeping for ministries, ministry bookkeeping basics, church bookkeeping
Summary: Plain-language guide covering why nonprofit bookkeeping differs from business accounting. Essential records (income, expense, bank reconciliation). Three financial statements needed (financial position, activities, functional expenses). Five common mistakes (personal accounts, co-mingling funds, skipping reconciliation, unconfigured QuickBooks, lost receipts). When to get help.

### 11. How InFocus Ministries Uses Alignmint to Manage 30+ Organizations
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/how-infocus-uses-alignmint
Keywords: Alignmint fiscal sponsor, fiscal sponsor software, manage multiple nonprofits
Summary: Case study of InFocus's adoption of Alignmint. The challenge: separate spreadsheets, manual receipting, weeks-long reporting, limited ministry visibility. Why Alignmint: fund accounting across 30+ orgs, donor management with automated receipting, per-ministry online giving pages, unified Form 990 reporting. Results: receipting went from days to automatic, reconciliation from multi-day to hours, ministry leaders gained real-time financial visibility.

### 12. Volunteer Management for Faith-Based Nonprofits
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/volunteer-management-for-faith-based-nonprofits
Keywords: ministry volunteer management, church volunteer tracking, nonprofit volunteer program
Summary: Why volunteer management matters (retention, scheduling, liability, grant reporting). Recruiting from existing community, being specific about needs, making it easy. Tracking hours for grants, impact reporting ($31.80/hour value), and compliance. Five engagement strategies: specific thank-yous, meaningful work, clear communication, community building, respecting time. Background checks for youth/vulnerable adult ministries. Scaling with team leaders and technology.

### 13. How to Write a Ministry Business Plan (Template Included)
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/how-to-write-a-ministry-business-plan
Keywords: how to write a ministry business plan, ministry business plan template, nonprofit business plan
Summary: Nine-section guide to writing a ministry business plan: mission statement, vision statement, statement of need, programs and services (table format), leadership and team, budget and financial plan (sample $72K budget with revenue sources), marketing and outreach plan, goals and milestones (measurable first-year targets), and risk assessment. Includes a free template outline. Emphasizes that ministries with written plans raise more money and recruit better volunteers. Links to Alignmint fund accounting for budget tracking.

### 14. What Does a Nonprofit Board of Directors Actually Do?
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/nonprofit-board-of-directors-responsibilities
Keywords: nonprofit board of directors responsibilities, what does a nonprofit board do, nonprofit governance
Summary: Three legal fiduciary duties (care, loyalty, obedience). Day-to-day responsibilities: financial oversight, strategic planning, executive oversight, fundraising, policy and governance. Recommended board sizes by organization revenue. How fiscally sponsored projects can use advisory boards instead of governing boards. Five common board mistakes: rubber-stamping, micromanaging, founder domination, ignoring finances, no term limits. Six steps to build a great ministry board.

### 15. Fundraising 101 for New Ministry Leaders
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/fundraising-101-for-new-ministry-leaders
Keywords: how to fundraise for a new ministry, ministry fundraising ideas, fundraising for nonprofits
Summary: Mindset shift from "asking for money" to "inviting participation." Start with inner circle (family, church, colleagues) using a specific ask script. Build donor base in three concentric circles over 12 months. Five fundraising channels: individual donations (70%+ of all giving), church partnerships, events, grants (fiscal sponsor provides 501c3 for applications), in-kind donations. Monthly giving engine ($50/month × 50 donors = $30K/year). Thank-you system with 48-hour rule and tiered responses. 90-day fundraising plan with weekly actions. Links to Alignmint donation pages and donor management.

### 16. Fiscal Sponsorship Models Explained: A, C, and F
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/fiscal-sponsorship-models-explained
Keywords: fiscal sponsorship model A vs model C, fiscal sponsorship models explained, types of fiscal sponsorship
Summary: Based on Gregory Colvin's six models. Model A (Direct Project): sponsor owns project, employs staff, controls finances, files taxes, holds insurance — lowest admin burden for project, less independence. Model C (Pre-Approved Grant): project is independent, sponsor re-grants funds after review — more independence, more admin work, IRS scrutiny increasing. Model F (Supporting Organization): separate 509(a)(3) entity, complex, for large orgs only. Side-by-side comparison table (10 features). Decision framework: choose A for new ministries needing full support, C for established orgs needing fiscal agent. Eight questions to ask a potential fiscal sponsor. InFocus uses Model A with Alignmint platform.

### 17. Nonprofit Insurance: What Your Ministry Needs and What It Costs
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/nonprofit-insurance-for-ministries
Keywords: how to get nonprofit insurance, nonprofit insurance cost, ministry insurance requirements
Summary: Seven types of insurance: general liability ($400-$1,500/yr), D&O ($500-$2,500/yr), property ($500-$3,000/yr), workers' comp (1-5% of payroll), commercial auto ($1,000-$3,000/yr per vehicle), abuse/molestation coverage ($500-$2,000/yr), cyber liability ($300-$1,000/yr). Total budget for small ministry: ~$4,500-$8,000/year. Four steps to get coverage: assess risks, get quotes from specialized insurers (Brotherhood Mutual, GuideOne, Church Mutual), bundle with BOP, review annually. How fiscal sponsorship simplifies insurance — InFocus provides shared liability, D&O, workers' comp, and safety policies. When to transition to your own policies.

### 18. How to Keep Donors Coming Back: Retention Guide for Ministries
URL: https://www.infocusministries.org/blog/donor-retention-strategies-for-ministries
Keywords: donor retention strategies for nonprofits, how to retain donors, nonprofit donor retention
Summary: Average nonprofit retention is 43%. Top reasons donors leave: feeling unneeded (36%), never thanked (13%), don't know impact (8%). Four-part retention framework: Thank (48-hour rule, tiered responses by gift level), Report (monthly updates, quarterly impact reports, annual reports), Connect (invite to volunteer, segment communication, remember personal details), Ask (timing by donor type, appropriate amounts, method matching). Retention benchmarks table (poor to excellent for overall, first-year, repeat, monthly). Math showing 65% retention produces 3-4x more giving over 5 years vs 30%. Five quick wins implementable this week. Links to Alignmint donor management and donation pages.

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## FAQ

Q: What is InFocus Ministries?
A: InFocus Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit parent organization and Model A fiscal sponsor based in Mount Vernon, Washington. Founded in 2003, we provide fiscal sponsorship, bookkeeping, fund accounting, donor management, compliance, insurance, and technology to 30+ faith-based ministries.

Q: What is fiscal sponsorship?
A: Fiscal sponsorship is a formal arrangement where an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides its tax-exempt status and administrative infrastructure to a ministry or project that does not have its own nonprofit status. The sponsor handles compliance, financial management, and IRS reporting while the ministry focuses on its mission.

Q: How much does it cost to partner with InFocus?
A: InFocus retains 7.5% of donations to cover administrative costs including bookkeeping, IRS reporting, insurance, website hosting, and technology. There are no startup costs, no contracts, and no per-seat fees.

Q: Does InFocus work with international ministries?
A: Yes. InFocus sponsors ministries serving in Uganda, Nepal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, and across the United States. We provide a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) umbrella so international projects can accept tax-deductible donations from American donors.

Q: Can I leave InFocus and start my own 501(c)(3)?
A: Yes. InFocus supports ministries at every stage. Many ministries use fiscal sponsorship as a launch pad and eventually grow into independent nonprofit status. We help with the transition and celebrate that growth.

Q: What technology does InFocus use?
A: InFocus uses Alignmint (getalignmint.org), an all-in-one nonprofit platform for fund accounting, donor management, donation tracking, volunteer management, and reporting. All partner ministries receive full access to Alignmint at no additional cost.

Q: Where is InFocus Ministries located?
A: InFocus Ministries is based at 1500 E College Way #556, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. We serve ministries across the United States and internationally.

Q: How do I apply to join InFocus?
A: Visit infocusministries.org/new-ministry-application to submit an application. You will need an overview of your ministry plan, a funding strategy, and at least two Advisory Committee members besides the director.

Q: What is Model A fiscal sponsorship?
A: Model A (also called Direct Project or Comprehensive) is the most common fiscal sponsorship model. The fiscal sponsor maintains full legal and fiduciary responsibility for the sponsored project. Donations are made to the sponsor, which then funds the project. This is the model InFocus uses.

Q: Does InFocus require a minimum ministry size?
A: No. InFocus welcomes startup ministries of any size. There is no minimum revenue, no minimum donor count, and no minimum budget required to partner with InFocus.

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## Technology Partner

InFocus uses **Alignmint** (https://www.getalignmint.org) for all financial management and donor operations:
- **Fiscal Sponsor Features:** https://www.getalignmint.org/fiscal-sponsors — Multi-organization management from one account
- **Fund Accounting:** https://www.getalignmint.org/features/fund-accounting — Restricted/unrestricted fund tracking, Form 990 mapping
- **Donor Management:** https://www.getalignmint.org/features/donor-management — Donor profiles, automated receipting, year-end statements
- **Online Giving:** https://www.getalignmint.org/features/donation-pages — Per-ministry giving pages with secure payment processing
- **Volunteer Management:** https://www.getalignmint.org/features/volunteer-management — Scheduling, hour tracking, communication
- **Church Features:** https://www.getalignmint.org/churches — Purpose-built for church and ministry financial management

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Last updated: March 2026
Contact: info@infocusministries.org
Website: https://www.infocusministries.org