8 Tips to Engage Companies, Boost Donations, and Maximize Impact

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September 13, 2024 | 5 min read By:

Corporate partnerships play a vital role in a nonprofit’s fundraising efforts. Funds can come from direct giving from corporate foundations, through employee giving, or volunteer programs. In 2023, almost half of the donations The Blackbaud Giving Fund disbursed to nonprofits were company-matching donations. A great example of how donations can get amplified through corporate giving. These partnerships can support ongoing donation strategies, grow your donor base, boost donations, and increase awareness of your mission throughout the community. When nonprofits collaborate with local businesses, they can also benefit from an engaged group of volunteers and even in-kind donations. Corporate partnerships can also support nonprofit’s internal operations, helping them streamline their work and focus on their community. By establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with businesses, nonprofits can set themselves up for long-term success and make tangible progress toward their mission. 

Here are eight ways fundraisers can engage companies to secure corporate partnerships:

  1. Research companies. Don’t limit yourself to businesses on your street or in your neighborhood—research companies with a presence, however large or small, in your county or state. Often, businesses and employees want to support local nonprofits, so reaching out to local organizations is a great place to start.  
  2. Spread the word. If you’re looking for corporate partnerships, announce it. Post on your social media channels, in community groups, in your newsletter, the list goes on! Showcase that your nonprofit is seeking corporate collaborations, and potential opportunities may emerge. 
  3. Workplace giving platforms. Make sure your profile on workplace-giving platforms like NPOconnect is up-to-date and accurate. These profiles are available to employees with access to workplace-giving programs who are actively searching for nonprofits to allocate a portion of their paycheck to. These donations often have a company match, so fully building these profiles out is critical. A robust profile can be the deciding factor between an employee picking you over another nonprofit. 
  4. Create events. On average, a volunteer donates 36% more than non-volunteers. Use this information to your advantage and invite the community to volunteer events throughout the year. During these events, take the time to explain the benefits of donations and corporate partnerships on your mission and the impacts they can have on your community.  
  5. Consider donors. Look at your previous donors. If they donate as part of a workplace giving program, their employer is often listed on the donor profile. Reach out to these companies to see if there are opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. This information is readily available on workplace-giving platforms like NPOconnect, making it easy for fundraisers to identify potential corporate partners already in their database. 
  6. Network. Attend local networking events to connect with companies and CSR professionals in your area. This can help pave the way for future collaborations and create new relationships that can lead to powerful partnerships. Don’t forget your existing connections, though. You and your staff may have ties to companies that want to partner with nonprofits and give back to their community. Encourage your staff to ask their friends and family for ideas. 
  7. Identify internal needs. If your nonprofit needs help with a marketing campaign, an HR project, or other internal operations support, reach out to companies that offer these services to see if they are willing to provide reduced-rate or skills-based volunteering for these projects. This support could lead to a long-term partnership to benefit your mission and the company’s CSR goals. 
  8. Document success. Use your website, social channels, NPOconnect profile, etc., to document key milestones and your nonprofit’s tangible impact on the community. Showcasing your work with impactful stories, photos, and more will help potential corporate partners realize the great work you’re doing and consider your nonprofit for their CSR initiatives.

 

When nonprofits enter corporate partnerships, the relationship must be mutually beneficial for both groups. If you believe a company will not be a good partner, It is appropriate to walk away and pursue other opportunities that will help you serve your community better. Entering into corporate partnerships can help nonprofits make significant, tangible progress toward impactful change in the community. Collaborating with like-minded businesses that are passionate about your nonprofit’s mission will help you create lasting change for the community you serve. 

 

For more information about NPOconnect or to sign up, visit https://nonprofit.yourcause.com/login/create-account.  

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