As a leader in the nonprofit world, you’re probably all too familiar with running your organization with limited funds and minimal staff. Unfortunately, this process is simply a facet of nonprofit life! To make ends meet, even the most successful nonprofit depends on outside support from time to time. This support helps organizations operate on tight budgets while strengthening their ties with the community.
Support for nonprofits can come from individuals, but it’s also commonly provided by corporations. An ongoing relationship between a nonprofit and a corporation is referred to as a nonprofit-corporate partnership. This type of partnership offers mutual benefits that help both groups achieve their missions.
To form a partnership, a nonprofit and a corporation must have overlapping goals. For instance, a nonprofit with a mission to educate the public on plastic pollution may partner with a shipping company whose sustainability goal is to reduce its plastic usage. Together, the nonprofit and corporation will work to improve the community.
Benefits of a Nonprofit-Corporate Partnership
When nonprofit organizations and corporations partner with one another, they can enact measurable change. Consider this situation. A nonprofit is dedicated to increasing high school graduation rates. It decides to partner with an automobile company that wants to serve volunteer hours and encourage young people to join the STEM fields.
The nonprofit could ask corporate volunteers to tutor high school students through one of their science programs. Through this partnership, the nonprofit gets the volunteers it needs, and the corporation can serve its volunteer hours while supporting its STEM goal.
Some nonprofit-corporation relationships have continued for decades. Over time, partnerships can evolve into incredible forces for good!
Advantages for Nonprofits
No matter which type of nonprofit you lead, you can always use extra support from a corporate partner, right? Some examples of the different types of support your organization could receive include:
- Financial contributions: What nonprofit couldn’t benefit from additional funds? A corporation may commit to donating a set amount of money to support your nonprofit’s yearly fundraiser. Or they might give your nonprofit a smaller biannual grant to support your organization’s efforts to improve vaccination rates. Depending on the stipulations of the donation, these funds could even possibly go toward covering the nonprofits’ payroll expenses, office supplies, or landscaping needs to keep the office running.
- In-kind donations: Some corporations choose to donate items or professional services to a nonprofit as part of the partnership. For example. a clothing company could provide free outfits to a nonprofit that helps refugees adjust to life in the United States. A corporation specializing in IT services might provide complimentary software packages for your nonprofit’s computers.
- Volunteer hours: Another benefit your nonprofit can get from partnering with a corporation is dozens (or sometimes even hundreds) of volunteers. Whether your organization needs volunteers for your annual fundraising 5K or your weekly pantry box runs, corporations often have the labor force to get the job done.
Advantages for Corporations
It’s not just your organization that can benefit from a nonprofit-corporate relationship. Corporate volunteerism can motivate employees and improve their job satisfaction. Volunteer activities can also be a great way for employees to bond outside the office and refine their social skills. As we all know, in both corporate and nonprofit jobs, employment happiness plays a big role in reducing turnover rates.
Additionally, volunteering can positively impact mental and physical health, leading to happier and healthier employees. It’s logical that workers who participate in volunteer tasks will then go on to take fewer sick days throughout the year. It’s a win-win scenario for the worker and their employer.
When corporations make time to assist nonprofits, they’re also helping establish their reputation as a socially responsible business. Many consumers are more likely to turn to businesses that support charitable causes and follow through on their pledges to positively impact the environment and community.
Examples of Nonprofit-Corporate Partnerships
Many well-known corporations have already partnered with nonprofit agencies. Target and UNICEF USA have been partners since 2015. Through this partnership, Target has donated millions of dollars to UNICEF while working to achieve its own sustainability goals.
Similarly, United Way and General Electric (GE) have formed their own partnership. Two percent of every purchase at the GE Outlet Store goes to United Way. Each year, GE also provides volunteer support for United Way community programs.
Here are some other examples of nonprofit-corporate partnerships:
- Google and Capital Area District Library in Lansing, Michigan
- The Home Depot and American Red Cross
- Walmart and Charities Aid Foundation America
- Reebok and RISE
- JCPenney and Healthier Generation
Ways Your Nonprofit Can Connect with Businesses
When you’re ready to form a partnership with a corporation, you’ll need to do some research. Remember, a partnership is different from a one-time donation. Your nonprofit will be associated with this company for years to come, and you’ll want to make sure you’re a good fit for each other.
Take into consideration:
- The type of corporation you want to partner with. Do you prefer working with one in the agricultural industry or do you envision matching your nonprofit with a corporation in health care, entertainment, etc.?
- The kind of support you need. Are you more interested in having monthly volunteers or monetary donations? Perhaps you’re looking for ongoing school supply donations instead. You’ll want to have some suggestions on hand before contacting a corporation.
- What you can offer the corporation. Is your nonprofit a good fit for the company? What goals can you help a corporation achieve? This information can encourage a potential partner to work with your nonprofit.
When you’ve decided on a corporation, reach out to the appropriate employee (such as a corporate responsibility manager or marketing manager). Detail the mutual benefits you’ll each receive by working together. Provide specific examples of ways the corporation can help (providing ten volunteers on Wednesdays, for example), but be open to new ideas the company proposes. It’s just as important that the partnership supports the corporation.
Throughout your partnership, dedicate time to reviewing your agreement. As your nonprofit grows and evolves, your partnership will too. If both parties are flexible, the partnership can develop into a long-lasting alliance.
Invest in the Right Tools
As with any relationship, regular communication with your corporate partner is key. One easy resource for keeping the line of communication open is VolunteerHub. VolunteerHub is a volunteer management software designed with efficiency in mind.
Nonprofits can use VolunteerHub to improve volunteer experience and boost engagement. Through our user-friendly software, interested volunteers can register to support your nonprofit. Your volunteer coordinator can then schedule and assign roles in a matter of seconds.
VolunteerHub can also help the coordinator stay in touch with volunteers through email, text, and social media. With the volunteers’ contact information all in one place, they can easily reach out to as many volunteers as needed.
Conclusion
An essential part of the nonprofit-corporate partnership is honoring and respecting your agreement. Be open if your support needs have changed and work with the company to find opportunities that make the most of their time and services. Remember to thank your corporate partner and spread the word about their good deeds!
