Why Partnering With Businesses Matters
Fundraising is no longer just bake sales and gala nights. Strategic partnerships with mission-aligned businesses can give your cause:
- More funding channels (corporate giving, sponsorship, matching gifts)
- Bigger reach through shared marketing
- Fewer admin hours with tools and automation
- Long-term impact instead of one-time events
According to Charities Aid Foundation, over 70% of consumers prefer to support brands that give back. Partnering with the right business is a growth strategy—not just a fundraising tactic.
Turn Corporate Goodwill Into Fundraising Momentum 💡
You now know which businesses might support your cause. Don’t stop there — launch an auction, engage sponsors, and turn corporate donations into active donor participation.
Launch Your Auction & Attract Sponsors1. Online Fundraising Platforms
Why They Matter
These businesses provide the infrastructure to run virtual, hybrid, or in-person campaigns—often with built-in donor engagement tools.
Top Features to Look For
- Custom branded fundraising pages
- Real-time donor tracking
- Secure online payments
- Peer-to-peer fundraising support
- Automated receipts and reports
Examples
- CharityAuctionsToday — online auctions & mobile bidding
- Classy — peer-to-peer donation platform
- GoFundMe — crowdfunding campaigns
- Givebutter — modern donor engagement tools
💡 Pro Tip: Choose platforms that make it easy for donors to give—and for you to manage data. Hidden fees or clunky UX can cost you thousands.
2. Businesses That Offer Corporate Matching Gifts
Why They Matter
Matching-gift programs double the impact of a donor’s contribution. Many businesses will match employee donations dollar-for-dollar.
How to Leverage Matching Gifts
- Add matching gift reminders on your donation forms.
- Partner with matching platforms to automate the process.
- Feature top matching partners in campaigns.
Examples
- Benevity
- Double the Donation
- CyberGrants
✅ Pro Tip: Promote matching options clearly at checkout or on your donation confirmation page.
3. Local Businesses & Sponsorships
Why They Matter
Local businesses are often eager to support nearby schools, clubs, and nonprofits—and gain community goodwill in return.
Effective Partnership Models
- Event sponsorship (cash or in-kind donations)
- Percentage-of-sales donations (“Shop to Support” days)
- Employee volunteer programs
- Raffle or prize donations
Examples
- Restaurants offering profit-share nights
- Boutiques hosting donation drives
- Gyms or fitness studios offering class fundraisers
👉 Tip: Approach businesses that align with your mission—it’s more authentic and longer lasting.
4. Cause Marketing & Brand Partnerships
Why They Matter
Larger brands can amplify your mission through cause marketing campaigns—combining their marketing reach with your impact.
Partnership Types
- Co-branded campaigns (e.g., $1 per sale donated)
- Social media takeovers or influencer fundraisers
- Long-term sponsorship agreements
Examples
- Patagonia — environmental giving
- TOMS — One for One program
- Bombas — donation per purchase model
📈 Cause marketing often drives higher engagement than traditional ads because it gives consumers a reason to care.
5. Fundraising Event Partners
These businesses specialize in enhancing live or hybrid fundraising events—helping organizations increase participation, revenue, and donor retention.
Categories
- Live auctioneers and emcees
- Mobile bidding & donation tools
- Corporate sponsors for prizes
- Entertainment vendors
Examples
- CharityAuctionsToday — mobile bidding software
- Auctioneering firms specializing in nonprofit galas
- Catering and entertainment partners for fundraising nights
🎤 Pro Tip: Great events are about experience as much as fundraising. Professional partners often increase per-donor giving.
6. Payroll Giving & Workplace Fundraising Programs
Some companies allow employees to donate a portion of their paycheck directly to nonprofits.
Benefits
- Predictable recurring revenue
- Low administrative burden
- Donor retention
Examples
- YourCause
- America’s Charities
- Corporate employee giving programs
7. Product-Based Fundraising Partners
Product fundraising remains popular because it gives supporters something tangible in return for their contribution.
Popular Models
- Cookie dough, popcorn, and chocolate sales
- Apparel and merch campaigns
- Subscription box collaborations
Examples
- World’s Finest Chocolate
- Bonfire
- Fundraising Brick
✅ Pro Tip: Choose products that reflect your mission or your community’s values—not just any catalog fundraiser.
8. Technology & Service Providers That Indirectly Help Fundraise
Not every partner has to process donations directly. Some enable more efficient operations, freeing up resources to fundraise better.
Examples:
- Email marketing providers like Mailchimp
- CRM systems like Salesforce.org or Bloomerang
- Volunteer management tools
- Accounting software for nonprofit compliance
How to Choose the Right Business Partner
Evaluation Framework
| Factor | Why It Matters | What to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Alignment | Shared values increase longevity | “Do they support causes like ours?” |
| Audience | Bigger reach = more donors | “Do they reach our community?” |
| ROI | Maximize impact, minimize admin | “Will this raise net funds?” |
| Transparency | No surprises | “What are their fees and terms?” |
| Support | Faster launches, fewer headaches | “Do they offer training/help?” |
Real-World Example: Auction + Local Sponsorship + Matching Gifts
A local PTO partners with CharityAuctionsToday to run an online auction.
Local restaurants sponsor prize packages.
Employees at a partner company use matching gifts.
→ The event raises 42% more than the previous year with less administrative work.
Takeaway: The best results come from combining multiple business partnerships strategically.
Glossary of Common Business Fundraising Models
- Corporate Matching Gifts: Companies match employee donations.
- Sponsorships: Businesses provide funding or goods/services for exposure.
- Cause Marketing: Brands donate based on product sales or promotions.
- Platform Partners: Tech providers that enable digital fundraising.
- Workplace Giving: Donations deducted from employee paychecks.
- Product Fundraising: Donors purchase products with a portion supporting a cause.
Final Thoughts: Build Partnerships That Amplify Your Mission
The most successful fundraisers don’t work alone—they build networks of aligned businesses that support their mission with tools, funding, visibility, and trust.
Whether it’s a small local café sponsoring a raffle prize or a global brand running a cause marketing campaign, business partnerships expand your impact.
🚀 Action Step: Choose one partner in each category—platform, local sponsor, matching gift, and marketing—and create a fundraising ecosystem that works 24/7.
Related Authority Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Which types of businesses commonly support fundraisers?
Great partners include restaurants (give-back nights), retailers (percent-of-sales days), gyms and studios, coffee shops, breweries, entertainment venues, print shops, car washes, salons, and local service providers. Corporate employers with CSR programs are also strong allies.
How do restaurant “give-back” nights work?
You promote a specific date; supporters dine in or order takeout and mention your cause. The restaurant donates a set percentage (often 10–25%) of tracked sales from those guests.
What retail partnerships drive the most revenue quickly?
Percent-of-sales days, round-up at checkout, limited-time product tie-ins, and pop-up shops hosted in-store. Pair them with social posts and email to boost foot traffic and basket size.
Which service businesses make good partners for auctions and raffles?
Fitness classes, golf courses, spas, salons, photographers, tutors, mechanics, and home services can donate gift cards or experiences that perform well in auctions and drawings.
How can employers and corporations help fundraise beyond sponsorships?
Look for employee matching gifts, volunteer grants, payroll giving, workplace campaigns, and team-based challenges. Ask for an internal champion to share your campaign on company channels.
What’s the best way to approach a business about partnering with us?
Lead with alignment and outcomes: who you serve, the specific need, expected reach, and how you’ll promote them. Offer 2–3 clear options with dates, effort required, and benefits.
What benefits should we offer businesses in return for support?
Logo placement, social shout-outs, email mentions, event signage, emcee thanks, press mentions, staff volunteer opportunities, and post-event recap with impact metrics and photos.
How do we handle in-kind donations from local businesses effectively?
Provide a simple form and clear deadlines, list fair market value on receipts, bundle small gifts into themed packages, and recognize donors the same way you would cash sponsors.
How should we track sales and report results back to partners?
Agree on a tracking method upfront (codes, flyers, POS tags, unique links). After the event, send totals raised, estimated impressions, photos, and a thank-you with next-step options.
Do we need any formal agreements or compliance steps with businesses?
Create a simple written agreement covering dates, promotion language, donation percentage, and remittance timing. Check local regulations for charitable sales promotions and required disclosures.
How do we work with franchises or multi-location businesses efficiently?
Start with the local manager, then request regional approval for additional stores. Standardize assets (posters, QR codes, social captions) and provide a one-pager to make replication easy.
How do we turn one-time fundraisers into long-term business partnerships?
Report impact quickly, recognize publicly, invite feedback, and propose a simple annual calendar (e.g., spring give-back, summer auction item, year-end match). Make renewal the default.
💡 Try this in ChatGPT
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