Fiscal Sponsorship Spotlight: Quest Scholarship Fund
Fiscal Sponsorship by YouthBridge is designed to help nonprofits with well-defined missions navigate the path to federal tax-exempt status. Through YouthBridge, organizations can immediately engage donors under our 501(c)(3) umbrella while gaining access to administrative support and seasoned guidance. This partnership strengthens their capacity to serve the community today and positions them for deeper, long-term impact. Occasionally, YouthBridge is able to exhibit flexibility through fiscal sponsorship to provide meaningful benefits for nonprofit partners who have already attained tax-exempt status.
This month YouthBridge features its newest fiscal sponsorship, Quest Scholarship Fund. Mission: Quest Scholarships offer high-achieving high school students from lower-income St. Louis neighborhoods the opportunity to step outside their community and develop a global vision by studying abroad. Co-founders Suzanne Sebert and Debbie Veatch share more.
Q. Quest Scholarship Fund has carried out its mission since 2017, what motivated the organization to enter into a fiscal sponsorship with YouthBridge?
A. Quest has built a strong scholarship and mentoring program over the past several years that has given 94 high-achieving high school students from low-income families the opportunity to develop a wider vision of the world by studying abroad. It was time for us to take the next step in the organizational growth of Quest.
Q. What new opportunities do you anticipate for donor engagement and community support now that Quest Scholarship Fund is partnering with YouthBridge?
A. YouthBridge focuses on programs that support and develop children and youth in the St. Louis region. We hope that families, educators, youth mentors and generous community members who share that vital mission and are part of the YouthBridge network will learn about Quest and become our champions as well.
Q. In what ways do you envision YouthBridge’s guidance and administrative support helping Quest Scholarship Fund build a strong operational foundation and long-term sustainability?
A. YouthBridge has already helped us learn more about investment strategies. One of our goals in the months ahead is to build a governing board. We are confident that YouthBridge will mentor us during that process as well.
Q. Looking ahead, how do you see this partnership shaping the future impact of your work – both for the people you serve today and for the larger community you hope to influence over time?
A. Students who study abroad become more confident, adaptable and resilient. Our long-term goal is to give youth from all corners of the St. Louis community the global perspective and intercultural awareness to become its future leaders. Our impact will grow as Quest becomes a larger and stronger organization.