Nonprofits have little room for error when developing relationships with corporate partners. Companies are interested in your reputation and the value of your money.
Therefore, before engaging with your organization for a partnership for your CSR needs, companies must understand the enlightened self-interest of the entire program. Enlightened self-interest is the benefit received in kind by a brand after participating in charity work.
Here are some of the key mistakes to avoid during your fundraising if you are going to develop a working relationship with a corporate organization.
Laxity in cultivation
In my conversations with people who aren’t familiar with fundraising, I’ve found that most think it’s just a matter of registering the organization and wealthy donors, and companies will go for it. Don’t make this assumption no matter how large your organization has grown. Prepare to interact with potential donors. When fundraising in the corporate world, this may require more aggressiveness due to bureaucracy and rigidity. So just because you have a good cause doesn’t mean donors will give you money. You have to convince and show that they also have to be part of the project and how it fits with their profile.
Despair
Despite the meticulous features of the relationship, don’t let these stringent requirements lead you to lose control of the project. Remember that the fundraising message is your prerogative, while brands demand it to reinforce the message.
perfunctory investigation
Your level of research is shown in the kind of knowledge you display about the topic being discussed. The research is carried out not only on the problem and the solution, but must also examine the profiles of the interested parties. For a fundraiser, due diligence should be performed on the donor you are approaching to determine their interests. Such details can help you push your case successfully. Wouldn’t it be disastrous of you to approach a dog lover to finance her cat project?
No comments, poor communication.
We have already pointed out that the mandate of the brand is to reinforce the message of the cause. It does not mean that the brand cannot be part of other activities. As a fundraiser, it is in my interest to make sure that brand representatives are involved throughout the process. Feedback on the impact of your contribution is also vital. Also, appreciate their contributions and THANK THEM for being a part of the project. It creates a better opportunity to reactivate this relationship and retain the brand as donors for future/other projects.
blank application
I would be uncomfortable if you approached me for help without specifying where my input would be needed. So don’t go fundraising because it’s for a ‘good cause’. Fundraising for non-profit organizations from companies with specific requests. For example, you wouldn’t expect the CEO of a company to automatically become the biggest gift without asking him to become one.