Most nonprofits know about corporate sponsorship, but have you tried matching gifts and volunteer grants? Has a business ever donated goods or services to your nonprofit? What about a business donating to a cause or capital campaign? If you haven\u2019t explored corporate philanthropy options, chances are you\u2019re leaving money on the table. Corporate philanthropy programs are a great way for nonprofits to raise crucial funds. Plus, there are often non-monetary benefits that add additional incentive to embrace a business\u2019s social responsibility program. Read on to learn how to get started with corporate philanthropy in 5 easy steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first step is the simplest. Reach out to your supporters and share resources about matching gifts and volunteer grants. Ask them to inquire about the availability of these programs with their employer. Many individuals have the capability to apply for a matching gift or turn their volunteer hours into a monetary donation and don\u2019t even know it! It\u2019s up to you to get them taking advantage of their employer\u2019s corporate giving program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can even increase the impact of matching gifts by asking your supporters to give on a recurring basis. This process becomes even easier if donating via payroll deduction. The nonprofit receives the donor\u2019s gift on a consistent basis as well as a regular corporate match!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many employers also offer volunteer grants. Volunteer grants reward employees for volunteering for charitable causes. By logging their hours to their employer, volunteers can turn the volunteer hours they\u2019ve worked into a monetary donation. They can then choose a nonprofit to support with that gift. As your new volunteers go through the orientation process, be sure to talk about volunteer grants! Revisit the topic during any refresher trainings, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This next step requires reaching out to businesses directly. If you have any donors, volunteers, or board members connected with local businesses, they can help by making introductions. Set a meeting time and prepare a sponsorship pitch with prices and benefits for the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sponsorships aren\u2019t just for events! In addition to events, you can ask companies to sponsor a program or the general operations of your organization. Here\u2019s a handy article on how to secure corporate sponsorship<\/a>. It goes into detail about setting up the meeting, what to include in your sponsorship pitch, and tips on how to keep the sponsors coming back year after year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In-kind gifts also require a direct ask to local businesses. Typically, in-kind gifts are donations of goods or services. For example, if you ask a local business to donate an item for your auction event, the resulting item is an in-kind gift. A plumber volunteering to fix a leaky pipe at your office for free is another kind of in-kind gift. You can use donated gifts and services in a variety of ways to either raise crucial funds or save money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download the Corporate Sponsorship Cheat Sheet and templates and get ready to reach out to local businesses and major corporations alike with confidence!<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n