Increase Revenue & Supercharge Your Corporate Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorships can be a game-changer for nonprofits. Yet, many organizations struggle to unlock their full potential. Whether you’re a small local nonprofit or a national powerhouse, there are strategies you can use to attract, engage, and maximize corporate partnerships that fuel your mission.

We’ll overview a few of our top recommendations here!

Thinking Beyond the Check: What Businesses Really Want

Most nonprofits approach sponsorships with a one-dimensional ask: “Can you sponsor our event?” While this works occasionally, businesses today are looking for more than just brand visibility on a banner.

Companies want partnerships that align with their values, enhance their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and provide meaningful engagement opportunities for their employees and customers.

Instead of a generic sponsorship ask, tailor your approach to show how your nonprofit can:

?? Help them meet their CSR goals

?? Provide volunteer or team-building opportunities

?? Create brand goodwill and customer loyalty

?? Offer unique storytelling and content collaborations

When you shift from “we need funding” to “here’s how we can create impact together,” you stand out from the countless sponsorship requests corporations receive.

Identifying the Right Corporate Partners for Your Needs

When you find a company whose values, audiences, and goals align with your own, you’ll be able to create a powerful sponsorship opportunity. Rather than casting a wide net, it helps to get started by focusing on companies that reflect your mission.

Here’s how to identify strong sponsorship prospects:

?? Research their CSR and philanthropic priorities – Many companies publish social impact reports that outline their giving strategies—or even offer open applications for support. There are a ton available, but a quick look online can help you uncover the best opportunities according to your needs.

?? Leverage existing relationships – Board members, donors, and volunteers may already have corporate connections that can open doors. Start by taking a look at your supporters’ employment data to identify chances for workplace giving and beyond. Then, use your data to help get your foot in the door.

Once you’ve identified potential sponsors, now it’s time to craft a personalized pitch that demonstrates clear value for them.

Crafting an Irresistible Sponsorship Proposal

A compelling sponsorship proposal should be more than just a funding request—it should be a strategic partnership proposal. Here’s what you’ll want to include:

?? Introduction & Mission – Who you are, what you do, and why your cause matters.

?? Impact Metrics – Showcase your reach and effectiveness with compelling data.

?? Sponsorship Opportunities – Offer different levels of sponsorship, outlining what the company will receive at each level.

?? Brand Exposure – Highlight visibility opportunities such as social media, email newsletters, event branding, and press features.

?? Engagement & Employee Involvement – Suggest ways their employees can engage through volunteerism, team activities, or exclusive networking opportunities.

?? Customized Partnership Ideas – Show them how your collaboration can be unique (e.g., co-branded campaigns, special cause-related product initiatives).

Make it clear that sponsorship isn’t just a donation—it’s a business opportunity that benefits both parties.

Nurturing and Growing Sponsor Relationships

The key to securing ongoing sponsorships is building genuine, long-term relationships. Here’s how you can do so:

?? Communicate Regularly – Keep sponsors updated on the impact of their support through reports, newsletters, and personal check-ins.

?? Acknowledge & Promote Their Involvement – Recognize sponsors publicly through social media shoutouts, website features, and event mentions.

?? Offer Continued Value – Look for new ways to engage sponsors, whether through speaking opportunities, media coverage, or new initiatives.

?? Demonstrate ROI – Provide data on how the partnership has helped them achieve their objectives, whether through brand visibility, employee engagement, or community impact.

Sponsorship should be an ongoing partnership, not just a one-time transaction. The stronger the relationship, the more likely they’ll continue (and even increase) their support.

Leveraging Software to Expand Corporate Sponsorships

Technology can be a game-changer when it comes to identifying and securing corporate sponsorships. One of the most powerful yet underutilized tools for nonprofits is workplace giving software, such as Double the Donation.

By tapping into donor employment data with this platform, nonprofits can uncover hidden corporate sponsorship opportunities and strengthen their fundraising efforts.

Along with automating your matching gift and workplace giving outreach through Double the Donation, you can also leverage the system to improve your sponsorship strategy. Here’s how:

?? Identify Where Your Donors Work – Many nonprofits have supporters working at companies with robust corporate philanthropy programs. By using Double the Donation’s database, you can gather employment data from your donors and pinpoint which companies already have a connection to your organization.

?? Leverage Matching Gift Insights – When donors submit matching gift requests through Double the Donation, you can see which companies are actively engaged in corporate philanthropy. If a company frequently matches donations to your organization, that’s a strong indicator they might be open to a larger sponsorship or partnership.

?? Build Data-Driven Sponsorship Pitches – Instead of approaching corporations blindly, you can use Double the Donation’s insights to craft data-backed sponsorship proposals. For example, if a significant number of your donors work for a specific company, you can showcase the existing engagement and propose a partnership that benefits both parties.

If your nonprofit isn’t already leveraging workplace giving software to expand corporate sponsorships, now is the time to start. The right tools can help you unlock new funding, deeper corporate engagement, and lasting partnerships that drive your mission forward.

Ready For More? Don’t Miss This Upcoming Event

This Friday, March 7th, join us for an exclusive presentation that will reshape the way your organization thinks about corporate sponsorships:

Whether you’re new to corporate sponsorships or looking to elevate your existing efforts, this session will provide the tools and strategies you need to succeed.

Save My Spot!

Then, Stay Tuned for Additional Insights!

Thanks for reading this edition of the Workplace Giving Digest from Double the Donation. Looking for even more fundraising and matching gift information? Get our email blasts sent straight to your inbox. Sign up here to join the mailing list!

In the meantime, which strategies do you plan on adopting in order to target corporate sponsorships effectively this year? Which approaches have worked well for your team in the past? Let us know in the comments below!