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How to Create a Corporate Partnership with a Nonprofit

While many businesses have historically focused on for-profit aspirations, increasingly more companies are adopting a corporate philanthropy model. According to 360MatchPro, 94% of major US corporations intend to maintain or increase corporate giving over the next several years to benefit their businesses and communities.

One of the most impactful ways for companies to give back is by forming corporate partnerships with nonprofits. A corporate partnership is a relationship between a company and a nonprofit in which a company takes action to support a nonprofit’s mission.

By forming a meaningful corporate partnership, your business can effectively boost its marketing reach, engage and retain employees and increase customer loyalty. Use the tips in this guide to create a corporate partnership that will help your business reach new heights.

Identify nonprofits that align with your values.

Brainstorm a list of organizations your business could partner with. According to Aly Sterling Philanthropy’s corporate philanthropy guide, your partnerships should be a “natural extension of your brand,” so research nonprofits with missions that relate directly to your overarching purpose or your employees’ values.

For example, a tech company might partner with a local STEM nonprofit to offer free coding workshops to students. In this instance, the company’s operations directly relate to the nonprofit’s brand and mission of promoting digital literacy.

To ensure your employees feel passionate about the nonprofits you choose to work with, allow them to suggest organizations that would be a good fit for your company. Similarly, you may also survey your customers to understand the causes they value.

For guidance on launching corporate philanthropy initiatives, work with a consultant. A corporate philanthropy consultant can help you understand your greater purpose and how you can expand it to include charitable endeavors.

Offer ways to provide support.

Once you’ve identified prospective nonprofit partners, reach out to learn more about their missions and discuss potential partnership opportunities. Your business could support an organization in a variety of ways, including through:

Volunteer grants. Volunteer grants are donations your company gives after an employee volunteers with a nonprofit for a specified number of hours. You can even offer employees paid volunteer time off (VTO) to get these volunteer hours in during the week. 

Corporate sponsorship. Your business may cover a nonprofit’s expenses to renovate a building, fund a new program or assist with additional costs. This support can supplement the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts and help them allocate more funds toward their mission.

In-kind donations. Donate items—known as in-kind donations—to your nonprofit partner to help them fuel their mission. For example, a company that partners with a food insecurity organization may donate canned food.

In exchange for your support, a nonprofit might promote your company on its website, social media, and event marketing materials. This exposure can greatly expand your client base, bringing in more revenue for your business and demonstrating your commitment to giving back.

Develop a formal agreement.

After you’ve reached out to a charity and decided they’re a good fit, formalize an agreement. Specify exactly how your company will support its nonprofit partner, whether by giving a certain amount of funding, contributing a specific number of volunteer hours or matching employees’ donations at a 2:1 ratio.

This specificity ensures everyone is on the same page and knows exactly what to expect from this partnership. Plus, it allows the nonprofit to incorporate your proposed support into its strategic plan and your business to finalize and communicate its corporate philanthropy initiatives. 

While the type or extent of your support may evolve, your partnership should always reflect your values and positively showcase your brand. Keep an open line of communication so you can regularly touch base with your nonprofit partner and ensure that each side is honoring their commitment.

A robust corporate philanthropy program can greatly benefit your company and its nonprofit partner. While the nonprofit receives financial and volunteer support, your company will form a reputation as a socially responsible business and boost workplace morale. Remember to work with a corporate philanthropy consultant to help shape your program and develop a partnership that aligns with your values and goals.