More corporations than ever before are getting involved in philanthropic efforts in an effort to improve society in some way. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives have become a fundamental element of how many businesses operate. Nonprofit sponsorship packages are meant to engage businesses in the work you do so that they can become involved with your cause. They detail all the ways a corporation can help out and provide an overview of what your nonprofit will provide in exchange for support.
To create compelling partnership packages, it’s important to understand why companies choose to sponsor nonprofits in the first place. After all, what does a for-profit firm stand to gain from philanthropic ventures?
When curating partnership packages, most nonprofits focus on their mission, vision, projects, history, and values. But this is not a great way to stand out with corporations receiving dozens (if not hundreds) of sponsorship appeals in a year. Instead, focus on some of the ways you can help your sponsors achieve their goals.
Focus on Experience, Not Logos
Focus on the experience, not on logos. As the company builds public trust, it also builds a sense of community among its consumer base. People are loyal to companies that support causes they care about, whether that’s women’s empowerment, environmental protection, or the eradication of poverty. Consumers are also willing to pay more for products from socially responsible companies, which translates to increased profits and business growth.
Before making a sizeable plea, build a relationship with the prospective sponsor. Invite company executives or managers to get involved in some of your projects to learn more about what you do. In addition, you can also partner with a company to create staff volunteer programs, which offer the benefits of improved productivity, increased employee engagement, and improved hiring and retention.
That said, articulating ROI in a partnership package can be challenging. Each company is different when it comes to what they’re looking for in a partnership. Focusing on value alignment will help you find a right-fit sponsor, as not every company with a CSR initiative will make a good partner.
Next, determine what value you can offer the organization. For instance:
- Positive business reputation
- Better brand recognition
- Increased customer loyalty, which results in increased sales
- Greater ability to attract talent and retain staff
Understand that every asset you have, from logo placements and media exposure to speaking opportunities, has a market value. Assign a value to each of your assets when creating partnership packages so companies can understand exactly what you have to offer.
Show potential sponsors how you’ve helped other partners achieve their goals by working with you. Remember, a nonprofit sponsorship package is an opportunity to present the benefits of the partnership from their perspective.
Taking Nonprofit Sponsorship Packages to the Next Level With Corporate Partnerships
Taking sponsorships to the next level, nonprofit-corporate partnerships are becoming more commonplace as business leaders seek holistic solutions to complex societal problems.
Nonprofit corporate partnerships bring a lot of value to corporations. For one, partnerships are long-term and build public trust. It’s increasingly important for companies to have a socially conscious image. By partnering with nonprofit organizations, businesses are able to communicate their values to their customers and shape how their brand is perceived.
Customers today expect the brands they support to be socially responsible and ramp up their focus on giving back to the community. From an optics perspective, partnering with a nonprofit can bolster a company’s image and build its brand.
Corporate partnerships can unlock new doors and expand your influence within the community you serve. The benefits of partnering with corporate sponsors include enhanced revenue flow, increased visibility, and better access to resources.
But for corporations, the partnership is not about logo placement or mission alone. Creating a valuable and lasting relationship with a business partner means boosting their bottom line in some way, whether that’s increasing brand awareness or enhancing the company’s public image.
Partnerships between nonprofits and for-profit organizations are a two-way street and a long-lasting relationship; your nonprofit both receives and provides value.
If you’re thinking that your nonprofit may be in a good position to seek out a partnership with a corporation, we may be able to help. Contact us for a no-obligation conversation. We can help you assess where you are and where you need to be to pursue a partnership.
Image Credit: Adobe Images by VectorM
