Special Projects
We run a program that accelerates and incubates
high-impact initiatives by providing fiscal sponsorship,
tailored infrastructure, and operational support. From
the very first grant onward, we handle the operational
burden so founders can focus on their mission.
Projects we supported
About
Who is this for?
Our work is structured around two types of partnerships:
launchpad and accelerator
New or existing projects that want to scale
We help founders turn high-impact ideas into professional organizations. We provide the services that make growth easier: fiscal sponsorship, streamlined hiring, financial administration, and operational structures. We help you overcome the barriers to getting a new initiative off the ground.
incubator
RP ideas that need talent and infrastructure
When our research uncovers a neglected intervention gap, we use Special Projects to find the talent and funding to launch a new initiative. The result is new organizations getting off the ground quickly—focused on implementation rather than administrative burden.
How does it work
Join Special Projects
We handle the operational burden so founders can focus on what matters: launching, growing, and delivering impact. From your first expression of interest through to an established, independent organization, we provide the infrastructure and support to get there quickly.
1
Submit an EOI
Tell us about your project, where you are in its development, and what kind of support you’re looking for. There’s no commitment at this stage, just the start of a conversation.
2
Explore the fit together
We’ll learn about your project’s specific needs and discuss how our services could help. Together we’ll work out what support makes sense for where you are.
3
Get set up
Once we agree to work together, we handle the infrastructure, e.g., fiscal sponsorship, finance and benefits administration, compliance, so your project is operational quickly.
Our Services
What we offer
We provide end-to-end operational support that lets founders focus on their mission instead of administrative overhead. From legal and financial foundations to hiring and events, our team handles the infrastructure that turns an idea into a functioning, independent organization.
Fiscal sponsorship
We provide a legal and financial home for your project, allowing you to receive tax-deductible donations and grants without having to set up your own entity first. This lets you start operating and start raising money right away, while we handle compliance and reporting.
Finance and benefits administration
We manage the financial backbone of your project, from bookkeeping and payments to payroll, taxes, and staff benefits. Your team gets paid reliably and stays compliant, without you having to build a finance function from scratch.
Recruitment
We help you find and hire the people your project needs, running end-to-end hiring rounds and managing visa sponsorship where required. Having directly recruited a significant share of our sponsees’ staff, we know how to attract and onboard strong talent quickly.
Fundraising
We support you in securing the funding to launch and grow, helping you identify opportunities, strengthen your case for support, and connect with aligned funders.
Event planning
We organize and run the events that bring your community together, from small workshops to large convenings, handling logistics so you can focus on the substance.
Other support
Beyond the core services, we provide operational assistance tailored to your project’s day-to-day needs, the practical problem-solving that keeps things running as you grow.
Our track record
Special Projects by the numbers
245 fiscal sponsorship expressions of interest received
15 projects supported
$21.5M total direct costs expended
5 staff on the Special Projects (SP) Team
16
sponsee hiring rounds complete
(and three ongoing)
119
sponsee staff onboarded in total
(50 of whom were recruited directly by SP)
34
successful visa sponsorship applications
(UK and US)
20
in-person events
(with a total of 500 attendees)
“Working with Rethink Priorities’ Special Projects team enabled us to launch our new project far more quickly than we could have on our own. The comprehensive setup saved us significant time and effort, allowing us to focus on our core work.”
“The support from the Special Projects team has been instrumental for the development of Epoch. We could not have managed our recent hiring rounds without it, and you have freed hundreds of hours of work that otherwise we would have had to put into operations.”
“The Special Projects team has taken a lot of work off of our staff, especially the leadership team. They've helped us build out our processes and add more systemization, which helps us worry less about things getting missed.”
Our team
The people behind
Special Projects
Our team brings together expertise in operations, finance,
recruitment, and nonprofit administration to give high-impact projects
the infrastructure they need to launch, grow, and stand on their own.
Frequently asked questions
How does it work in practice?
You submit an expression of interest, and we’ll set up a conversation to understand your project’s needs. If it’s a good fit, we agree on terms and handle your operational setup, fiscal sponsorship, finance and benefits administration, recruitment, and more, so you can start operating quickly. From there, we provide ongoing operational support while you focus on your mission.
How much will it cost?
Fees for new projects are typically around 14% and vary depending on the needs, complexity, and scale of each project. We’re happy to share more details once we understand what your project requires.
For how long can RP support my project?
Support is designed to scale with you. Some projects rely on us for an initial launch period and then “graduate” into independent organizations; others stay with us longer term. We’ll work out an arrangement that fits your project’s stage and goals, and we can revisit it as your needs change.
What types of projects do you support?
We work with three kinds of partners: new initiatives that need early startup support before launching, existing projects looking to scale, and RP-incubated ideas that need talent and infrastructure to get off the ground. Our partners span cause areas including animal welfare, global health and development, and global catastrophic risks.
What criteria do you use when choosing projects?
We prioritize projects with strong potential for impact, a capable founding team, and a clear fit with the kind of operational support we provide. Because our capacity is limited, we weigh these factors when deciding where we can add the most value.
How quickly will I hear back about my application?
We review expressions of interest on an ongoing basis and aim to respond as promptly as we can. Response times can vary with our current capacity and the volume of submissions.
What's included in your operational support?
Core services include fiscal sponsorship, finance and benefits administration, recruitment (including visa sponsorship where needed), fundraising support, and event planning, along with other day-to-day operational assistance tailored to your project.
Where can your team be based / who can you work with?
RP operates internationally and can hire and support staff in many countries. If you’re unsure whether we can work with you in your location, get in touch and we’ll let you know.
Do founders keep control of their projects?
Yes. For fiscally sponsored projects, founders retain autonomy and decision-making authority over their work while we provide operational and fiduciary oversight.
Contact us
Apply for our operational support
To apply for our support, fill out our EOI form below, or for specific questions, contact us at: specialprojects@rethinkpriorities.org
