7 Ways Nonprofits Can Build Lasting Corporate Partnerships (and Turn Giving Into Relationships)
October 30, 2026 | 8 min read
Key Takeaways:
- Corporate partnerships last when they are built as relationships, not one-time asks.
- Your own donor data is often the fastest way to find companies already connected to your mission.
- A complete Blackbaud Verified Network profile puts you in front of employees who are actively choosing where to give, often with a company match.
- Company matches carry real weight: over 50% of the dollars we disbursed to nonprofits in 2025 were company matches.
- Companies that offer both giving and volunteering see far higher employee engagement, so invite employees to give time as well as dollars.
- Companies can offer skills and services, not just donations.
- Sharing your impact gives partners a story to tell inside their company, and that is how a first gift becomes a second.
- A good partnership works for both sides. It’s OK to walk away from one that does not.
A corporate partnership is not a transaction. It’s a relationship, and fundraisers that treat it that way are better equipped to raise more, keep supporters longer, and build community backing that outlasts a single campaign.
Corporate partnerships are ongoing relationships between a nonprofit and a company that go beyond a one-time donation. They can include workplace giving and matching gifts, employee volunteering, sponsorships, in-kind donations, and skills-based support. The best partnerships support the nonprofit’s mission and the company’s community and employee engagement goals at the same time.
Not long ago, many nonprofits measured corporate support by the size of a check. Today, the strongest partnerships start with employees who have a personal connection to a cause and companies that see your mission as part of their culture. Workplace giving is often where that connection begins. In 2025, over 50% of the dollars The Blackbaud Giving Fund disbursed to nonprofits were company matches, which is a clear sign of how much a gift can grow when an employee and an employer give together. So how do you find the companies and employees most likely to support you?
Here are seven ways fundraisers can take to find the right companies, build real connections, and turn first gifts into lasting partnerships.
- Start with companies already in your donor data. Your strongest prospects may already be giving. When supporters give through a workplace giving program, their employer is often listed on the donor profile. Review those records in your Blackbaud Verified Network account and list the companies that appear most often.
Why it matters: A company that already has employees donating to you has a built-in reason to say yes. Your first conversation can open with “your employees already support us,” instead of a cold introduction.
- Widen the circle, then work your relationships. Research companies in your county or state, large or small, because owners and employees often want to support local organizations. Then ask the people closest to your mission, including staff, board members, and volunteers, who they know. Attend local networking events where CSR and community relations professionals gather.
Why it matters: A warm introduction usually opens doors faster than outreach from a stranger. Small and mid-size companies see higher volunteer engagement rates, so these may be your strongest prospects.
- Complete your Blackbaud Verified Network profile. Employees in workplace giving programs search the network for nonprofits to support, often with a company match added to their gift. Your profile is how they decide. Keep your mission statement, impact examples, photos, and contact details current, and write for a stranger who has about a minute to choose.
Why it matters: A complete, current profile can be the deciding factor between your nonprofit and another one. It’s also where a one-time donor can become a repeat supporter.
- Tell your community you are open to partnership, and be specific. Announce it in your newsletter, on social media, and in community groups. Then say what you can offer, such as a team volunteer day, employee giving, recognition, or impact reporting.
Why it matters: “We welcome corporate partners” invites a polite nod. “We are hosting a team volunteer day in March” invites a yes.
- Invite employees to give time, then stay in touch. Host volunteer events through the year and use them to explain how donations and corporate partnerships support your mission. Follow up with every volunteer within a week with a thank-you and a simple way to give, including through workplace giving.
Why it matters: According to the Blackbaud 2026 CSR Industry Review, companies that offer both giving and volunteering see over 16% employee engagement, compared with 5% for giving only and 6% for volunteering only. When people give time and money, they connect with a cause, not just a campaign.
- Match company strengths to internal needs. If you need help with a marketing campaign, an HR project, design, IT, or legal support, ask companies that offer those services about reduced-rate or skills-based volunteering. Be specific about the project, the timeline, and what success looks like.
Why it matters: Skills-based support gives employees a hands-on role in your work, gives the company a story that fits its CSR goals, and builds capacity you may not be able to afford. It can lead to some of the longest partnerships.
- Document your impact and share it with partners. Use your website, social channels, newsletter, and workplace giving profiles to record milestones with stories, photos, and results. Send updates directly to the CSR and HR contacts at partner companies so they can share what their support made possible.
Why it matters: Stewardship is how a first gift becomes a second one. When employees see what their giving did, your nonprofit stops being one choice among many on a list and becomes a cause they claim as their own.
When is it right to walk away?
A partnership has to work for both sides. If a company’s values, expectations, or timeline don’t fit your mission, it is appropriate to say no and put your energy into relationships that help you serve your community better. The partners worth keeping are the ones who care about your mission as much as you do.
Corporate partnership readiness checklist
Use this list to see where you stand before you start outreach.
- My Blackbaud Verified Network profile is complete and current (mission, impact, photos, contact details).
- I know which companies are in my donor data.
- I have a short list of local and regional companies to research.
- I can explain in two sentences what a company gains by partnering with us.
- I have at least one volunteer opportunity to offer in the next three months.
- I have identified one or two needs that skills-based support could meet.
- I have a recent impact story with a photo ready to share.
- I have a plan to thank and update partners within a week of every gift or event.
Ready to reach over 9 million potential donors and bring your workplace giving strategy to the next level? Sign up for the free Blackbaud Verified Network platform and protect your competitive edge.
Explore more free strategies and information on our blog, including how we deliver funds at the speed of need, how to enroll in ACH, how to turn workplace giving, matching gifts, and corporate partnerships into a strong fundraising growth strategy, and more.
To learn more about The Blackbaud Giving Fund, visit BlackbaudGivingFund.org or follow the organization on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for updates, news, and more.
