While this may be corporate sponsorship, there are still people behind that business and they’re ultimately the ones you’re trying to engage. For example, a for-profit might give a sizeable donation to your nonprofit’s annual event in exchange for naming rights or inclusion of their logo on your event materials. In return, you’re supporting that business’s corporate social responsibility efforts, showing their customers how they give back within their community. Here are just some of the benefits of corporate sponsorship opportunities. Auto-submission makes matching gifts easier than ever for nonprofit organizations, their donors, and the companies that support them. Specifically, it enables eligible individuals to complete their match requests in significantly fewer steps—meaning more matches are ultimately completed and fulfilled.
The Coca-Cola Company has sponsored 0.72% of nonprofits in a database of nonprofits that publicly list their sponsors, placing them at #11 on the list of top corporate sponsors. Clif Bar has sponsored 0.74% of nonprofits in a database of nonprofits that publicly list their sponsors, placing them at #10 on the list of top corporate sponsors. Budweiser has sponsored 0.76% of nonprofits in a database of nonprofits that publicly list their sponsors, placing them at #9 on the list of top corporate sponsors.
While popular and incredibly effective, matching gifts aren’t the only form of corporate giving that you should look into. Oftentimes, you have to get your ask in very early to even be considered. Other times, you have to adjust your strategy to the business you’re reaching out to. For instance, if you’re reaching out to an accounting firm during tax season, you’re most likely not top-of-mind, and your request may go unanswered.
- They’ll want to know they’re supporting a nonprofit that aligns with these goals and that the sponsorship can help them achieve them.
- Learn the true fiscal sponsor definition, how it works, and how it can benefit your organization.
- Below, we outline eight examples of how nonprofit organizations and for-profits have successfully partnered on corporate sponsorships and campaigns to reach new heights.
- Nonprofit board members are often highly connected, well-respected members of the local community.
- Many corporations engage in sponsorships and donations in part because of the corporate tax breaks that are available.
- Charitable nonprofits, in turn, receive financial support and may also experience increased attention from the media and the public, in-kind services, and/or product donations.
Many corporations engage in sponsorships and donations in part because of the corporate tax breaks that are available. Corporate sponsorships are an agreement set in place by you (the fundraiser) and a for-profit entity, such as a national retailer or a family-owned restaurant. The corporate sponsor often makes a financial to your cause, and as a thank you, the fundraising committee offers something in exchange—typically in the form of free advertising. Drilling deep into your organization’s mission, values, culture, and goals help you find a corporate sponsor that aligns with them. It can also be invaluable for putting together the perfect proposal when approaching brands.
In addition, supporters were eligible for protein bars from Perfect Snacks and a new TV. Feeding San Diego is a nonprofit addressing hunger in San Diego by connecting those in need with nutritious meals. Perfect Snacks partnered with the nonprofit to add incentives for supporters of its campaign. Supporters seen wearing your clothing line or other swag around town can use that experience as a conversation starter with others about your mission. In addition to the marketing element, SoulCycle created a special class pack for Pride Month, where 10% of all proceeds went to The Trevor Project. Sponsorship agreements are generally temporary and revolve around specific events, projects, or campaigns.
What Is Corporate Sponsorship?
If other nonprofits are working in a similar area to yours, think about what makes you unique. This can include the work you carry out or the difference your organization makes, for example. You don’t need to criticize your competitors — focus on your strengths and your Unique Selling Point (USP). In addition, Jack Link’s leveraged National Jerky Day to increase awareness of Team Rubicon and donations through an in-kind and financial match. For example, for every bag of jerky purchased, Jack Link’s donated a bag to Team Rubicon’s field volunteers. The company also matched monetary donations to Team Rubicon dollar for dollar that day.
Highlight the people you’ve helped, the impact you’ve made in the community, or other accounts and data that paint a moving or relatable picture of why their help is so needed. On the other hand, research has shown that nonprofits are seen as less competent than for-profit businesses. The right sponsorship opportunity could lend an aura of enhanced credibility to a lesser-known organization. There’s no question about it, a poor partnership can damage an organization’s image and diminish public support. One attractive option to explore is pitching businesses on sponsoring “matching donation” periods during your next peer-to-peer fundraising campaign.
Many matching gift databases also offer information about volunteer grants! Using a solution like 360MatchPro, your volunteers can search for their employer using the search tool embedded in your website. From there, the search tool will populate with all the information they need about their company’s volunteer grant program. Corporate matching gifts are the most popular type of corporate giving program. In fact, more than 26 million individuals work for companies that have matching gift programs.
In this post, we will examine some common assumptions about corporate sponsorships for nonprofits as well as the value and risks that these relationships carry. Nonprofit budgets can be strict and restrained when they’re reliant on grants and donations. That’s why some nonprofits seek out financial help in the form of corporate sponsorships. Finding corporate sponsors – or rather sponsors of any kind – can feel daunting for nonprofits. After all, corporations might have dozens or even hundreds of charitable organizations asking them for financial donations or other involvement. Getting corporate sponsorships is crucial, especially for small nonprofits, but it can be difficult figuring out how to make connections and effective asks.
How to Unlock Corporate Sponsorships: Get More Support
Here at Donorbox, we’re helping organizations like yours to maximize their fundraising efforts and create a more sustainable future. They may also match donations made by their employees through match giving, which effectively doubles their contributions. To make a significant difference, consider engaging with the Charity Miles platform for corporate involvement to foster positive change. Request a demo to see how Classy’s comprehensive fundraising platform empowers thousands of the world’s top nonprofits to fundraise at scale with simple, easy-to-use tools and features.
It should be written down to outline your goals, expectations, and other deliverables for your organization and the company. It’s also a good idea to include how you’re going to recognize the company for its support, such as through advertising materials, merchandise, or event printouts. Just like you receive a variety of donation amounts from individual supporters, establish multiple levels of sponsorship for corporations to agree to. If you have an event with hundreds or thousands of people, make sure your sponsorship levels are high enough (such as $1,000 and up). One of the biggest benefits of nonprofit sponsorships for corporations is potential tax incentives.
Tax Implications of Sponsorship
You can also reach out to companies to provide services you’ll need at the event, such as photography, DJ/entertainment, signage, food, portable toilets, and tent/chair rentals. The value of their goods or services can certainly equate to a sponsorship level. If a business declines to offer a monetary sponsorship, consider asking for a non-monetary sponsorship corporate sponsorships with nonprofits instead, such as coupons for free services on event day. You can also request that a portion of their proceeds on the event day be donated back to the organization. A business in the area could serve as a location for the kick-off party, packet pick-up, or after-event party. Use aspects of your event that already exist, and turn them into sponsorship perks.
Check out these corporate sponsorship examples that ended up being successful in garnering additional ideas about how to go about establishing a relationship with a corporate sponsor for your nonprofit. At first glance, a corporate sponsorship may seem like a lofty goal for your nonprofit or business. But a corporate sponsorship is not only possible—it’s also mutually beneficial. Zipsprout’s guide to corporate sponsors shares some interesting corporate sponsorship statistics. We’ve combined these statistics with insights from our robust database of matching gift and volunteer grant programs to highlight the best corporate sponsorship and relationship opportunities. Charitable nonprofits, in turn, receive financial support and may also experience increased attention from the media and the public, in-kind services, and/or product donations.
Using our platform, level up your fundraising campaigns and enhance the giving experience by meeting your supporters where they are. Before you know it, you can begin creating the impact that you have always dreamed of for your nonprofit by securing corporate sponsorships with partners who support your mission day in and day out. When you partner with a business that aligns with your values, your corporate sponsorship can be a lucrative https://simple-accounting.org/ source of revenue that yields many more rewards than drawbacks. You’ll enjoy the opportunity for large-scale donations and ongoing partnerships that may be otherwise difficult to find within your community as they help expand outreach and reach new audiences. They’ll enjoy a positive public image that boosts employee satisfaction and helps draw in new customers. We’ve got you covered with our step-by-step guide on what to think about.
Then, be sure to position them as excellent sponsorship opportunities for your potential partners. PepsiCo matches employee donations up to $10,000, with a minimum donation amount of $25. If your board members or other members of your organization have connections or contacts at a particular company, ask them to directly reach out and request a sponsorship. Additionally, companies may be looking to fulfill the ethical and philanthropic obligations laid out in the pyramid of CSR. These companies have a reputation for their philanthropic behaviors, so they might be more interested in forming a partnership than a business with no previous interest in charitable giving.
Empower your employees to make a difference while enhancing your company’s reputation and social impact. Together, let’s transform everyday steps into tangible support for the causes that matter most. Think about ways to leverage support from your for-profit partners to improve the services your beneficiaries receive.
Clearly outline the tangible benefits that your partnership can provide to sponsors, and try to propose as structured a plan as possible. This will give both parties more ground on which to work out the perfect arrangement. Corporate sponsorships are a great way for nonprofits to bring in additional revenue for their fundraising events and campaigns without additional overhead or costs. Getting donations from companies is a big task—and securing sponsorships is much the same. Focus on finding potential sponsors that align with your mission and values, especially ones with a track record of working with nonprofits.