Corporate relations and grants can be crucial to the success and sustenance of any nonprofit. The relationships you form with corporations can lead you to corporate grants - which might be some of the most important sources of revenue (find them with GrantStation) for your programs and initiatives.
Corporate grants are a type of philanthropy where businesses dedicate funds towards charitable purposes for causes they feel connected with. Nonprofit.Courses Content Expert, Instrumentl, remarks that, “Unlike traditional grants from government entities, corporate grants often have more flexible application processes and can be tailored to align with the company’s core values and strategic goals.” This allows organizations to cater to causes that are central to their mission, in a relationship mutually advantageous to both parties.
Further, strong corporate ties reinforce the nonprofit’s legitimacy and visibility. When a well-known corporation links its brand’s goodwill with a nonprofit’s cause, it lends an important halo effect to the nonprofit, strengthening it and attracting other potential donors and partners to scale its reach. Business citizenship, in the form of financial support for nonprofit activities, through their marketing channels, increases the exposure of your mission to nonprofit supporters and others.
But more than wealthy social contacts, corporate relations may resources that can augment a nonprofit’s bottom line. They can provide in-kind donations of products and services. They can handle administrative tasks by offering the donation of employees’ time (often monetized through volunteer grants). This might include sharing expertise and skills, or pro bono work that helps nonprofits become more efficient and centralized in their operations and strategic planning.
Cultivating corporate relationships can be invaluable to your nonprofit. If a nonprofit can obtain a corporate grant, it can often lead to many more funds and greater opportunities to expand a base of support. Relationships of this nature (managed in your CRM) can also provide valuable resources and help ensure sustainability over time. Through purposeful and enduring relationships, nonprofits could potentially make a larger difference in achieving their mission.
Corporate Fundraising Success with Heather Nelson, by 1832 Communications
What Companies Want: Secrets to Securing In-Kind Donations for Fundraising Events ft. Renee Zau, by Instrumentl
Government Business Non-Profit Synergy featuring Dr Henry Cisneros, by Eskin Fundraising Training
Avoid These 3 Common Mistakes When Recruiting Corporate Sponsors for Your Fundraising Event, by Get Fully Funded
How to Attract, Cultivate, and Wow Corporate Sponsors, by Bloomerang
The Key to Getting Corporate Sponsors, by Get Fully Funded
Unlocking the Power of Connection in Nonprofits | Interview with Amina Mohamed, by The Nonprofit Hive
Path to Partnership, by Eskin Fundraising Training
Raise More Money from Your Business Community 2, by Linda Lysakowski
How to build powerhouse partnerships for your nonprofit with companies and foundations, by Givebutter
Sipping Tea with Sabrina Corporte Giving, by Supporting World Hope
How to Handle It When the Bridge Your Nonprofit Needs is Out, by Karen Eber Davis
Introduction to Business Structures
How to get corporate sponsors when you don’t know anyone, by Get Fully Funded
A Beautiful Friendship: What Corporate Decision Makers Want in P2P Partnerships
Partnering with Microsoft, by Eskin Fundraising Training
How to Succeed Getting Nonprofit Corporate Sponsors, by Karen Eber Davis
Corporate Grants Are Strategic Partnerships
Forming Win-Win Nonprofit Corporate Sponsorships, with Heather Nelson, by dotOrgStrategy
What Corporate Sponsors Really Want From Your Nonprofit, by Bloomerang
HR Ethics Series: Corporations and Corporate Social Responsibility
Frequently Asked Questions: Corporate Relations and Grants
Understanding Corporate Grants
What are Corporate Grants?
Corporate grants are a type of philanthropy where businesses dedicate funds to charitable causes that align with their values. Unlike government grants, which can be rigid, corporate grants often have more flexible application processes and are designed to be mutually beneficial for both the nonprofit and the company's strategic goals.
How do they differ from government grants?
According to experts featured on the page, corporate grants are often less bureaucratic and more focused on alignment. While government grants are strictly about compliance and program delivery, corporate grants often seek a "win-win" where the company's brand values overlap with your mission.
What is the "Halo Effect"?
Strong corporate ties can reinforce your nonprofit's legitimacy. When a well-known corporation links its brand with your cause, it lends a "halo effect" to your organization. This increased visibility can attract other potential donors and partners who see the corporate partnership as a stamp of approval.
Beyond the Money
Do corporations offer support other than cash?
Yes. Corporate relations can provide valuable resources beyond a check, including:
- In-kind donations: Products or services given for free.
- Pro bono work: Employees donating their professional skills (e.g., legal, marketing, or IT support).
- Volunteers: Teams of employees helping with events or projects.
Why is relationship building important here?
Cultivating a relationship with a corporation is crucial because it often leads to long-term sustainability. A single grant can evolve into a multi-year partnership involving sponsorship, employee engagement, and cause marketing campaigns that scale your reach far more than a one-off donation.
Resources & Training
What specific topics does this page cover?
The page aggregates a wide range of training materials, including:
- Corporate Sponsorships: How to attract and "wow" sponsors (e.g., What Corporate Sponsors Really Want).
- Cause Marketing: Leveraging business marketing channels for your mission.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Understanding the business ethics behind giving.
- Practical Guides: Templates for sponsorship packages and guides on working with community banks.
Who provides the training?
You will find expert advice from industry leaders such as 1832 Communications, Bloomerang, Instrumentl, Get Fully Funded, and Keela.
Is there free training available?
Yes. Many of the resources listed are free, such as How to Get Corporate Sponsors by Get Fully Funded and Path to Partnership by Eskin Fundraising Training. You can filter the results to show only "Free Courses" using the dropdown menu on the page.
