The first in a new blog series on building stronger charity and business partnerships

Corporate fundraising for charities can feel daunting.
Perhaps you worry about being a nuisance.
Or maybe you assume businesses already have charity partners.
You might even wonder, “Why would they choose us?”

But here’s the truth I want you to hold on to:
Businesses need you just as much as you need them.

And when these charity and business partnerships work well, they can be absolutely transformational – not just for your charity, but for the business too.

Charities bring purpose, credibility and community insight

As a charity, you’re not just a good cause – you’re a trusted voice.
You understand your community and you’re already making an impact.
More importantly, you bring something to the table that many businesses are actively looking for: meaning.

You do this by helping businesses demonstrate their values in action – perhaps by giving them stories that stir hearts and inspire change.
And you offer connection, visibility, and a way to give back that feels personal.

In strong corporate charity partnerships, you offer something no internal campaign can match – deep-rooted purpose.

What businesses want from charity partners

In my work, I’ve spoken with many business owners who say things like:

“We’d love to support a charity, but we’re not sure how to approach it.”
“We’ve thought about it, but it always ends up on the back burner.”

That’s where you come in.

By starting the conversation – not with a pitch, but with curiosity and confidence – you’re helping them act on something they already care about.

You’re not interrupting. You’re opening a door to charity collaboration with business.

Charity and business partnerships aren’t just about money

Yes, donations help. But they’re just one piece of the puzzle.
Fundraising ideas for businesses might include:

• Staff volunteering or skills sharing
• Campaign promotion or storytelling
• Event sponsorship or matched giving
• Access to new audiences and networks

In return, the business benefits from:

• Increased trust and brand loyalty
• Better staff engagement
• A stronger connection with their community

That’s not charity. That’s smart, values-led business.

How to approach businesses for charity support

You don’t need a slick pitch or the perfect proposal.
You just need to start a conversation.

Start small.
Be warm.
Begin with the people already in your network.

You might ask:

• Would you be open to exploring how we could work together?
• Is there something about our mission that resonates with you?
• Could we have a conversation to see if there’s a natural fit?

Charity engagement with local businesses doesn’t need to be formal or complicated. You’re offering an opportunity to make a difference – together.

What’s next?

This is the first in a short blog series to help you feel more confident about building corporate fundraising partnerships that truly work.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll share practical advice on:

• What businesses are actually looking for
• How to start the conversation
• Ways to collaborate beyond money
• How to build partnerships that last

In the meantime, you can follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for daily insights.

And if you need me to work with your team to help you to build your own strategy for working with businesses, contact me here.

But for now, remember this:
You don’t have to wait to be picked.
You bring value, and have something to offer.
And it’s absolutely OK to take the lead