Corporate fundraising is a powerful way for nonprofits to scale their impact while building meaningful partnerships with businesses. 

By leveraging corporate resources and networks, your organization can find new ways to raise money, amplify its reach, and create lasting relationships with stakeholders. 

This guide explores your nonprofit organization’s top 40 corporate fundraising ideas, how to start building corporate relationships, and tips to maximize success. 

Do you need digital marketing and media experts for your corporate fundraising plan? Contact NextGen Fundraising today!

Why Corporate Fundraising Matters

Corporate fundraising enables nonprofit organizations to access a range of valuable resources, including financial support, in-kind donations, volunteer time, and marketing exposure. 

Companies that align with your cause are eager to contribute to their community, boost employee morale, and enhance their brand visibility and reputation. 

Establishing strategic partnerships for corporate fundraising helps your nonprofit acquire the resources it needs to grow, while also enabling companies to build stronger relationships within their community. 

Creative Corporate Fundraising Models That Work

If you’re looking for innovative ways to increase corporate donations as part of your nonprofit marketing plan, here are a few models that have proven effective. 

Corporate Giving Programs 

Engage corporate employees in a giving program where the company matches every donation made by employees. For instance, for every dollar an employee donates to your cause, the business also donates a dollar (or multiples of dollars). You don’t have to only focus on matching money; you can also use a matching gift approach. 

Corporate Sponsorships 

Work with potential corporate partners and have them sponsor events, campaigns, or specific initiatives. This strategy will reduce costs in running campaigns or initiatives and hosting events while establishing positive PR for your sponsor. It’s best to speak with corporate representatives and decision-makers to secure sponsors and avoid having similar companies sponsor the same initiative or event. 

Cause-Related Marketing 

Collaborate with businesses on campaigns where a portion of their product sales is donated to your nonprofit. These partnerships can increase the business’s sales while raising money for your organization, which is a win-win for both parties. 

Volunteer Grants 

Many companies offer grants for every hour their employees volunteer for a cause. Not only does this optimize employee engagement, but it also acts as a solution for team-building activities. Additionally, your nonprofit can leverage volunteers without incurring the costs of acquiring them through traditional marketing channels. 

In-Kind Donations 

Companies can donate products or services to your cause instead of money. For instance, a tech company may offer software licenses, or a logistics company might donate transportation services for an event.

Round-Up Donations 

Companies can implement a “round-up” program. Customers round up their purchase total to the nearest dollar; the extra cents are donated to your nonprofit. This program can be easily integrated into an existing point-of-sale system, offering a continuous stream of small but meaningful contributions.

Skill-Based Volunteering 

Corporations can offer their employees the chance to volunteer their professional skills. For example, a marketing team might help design promotional materials for your nonprofit marketing campaigns, or a legal firm could provide pro bono legal advice.

Payroll Deductions 

With this model, employees can opt to have a portion of their salary automatically deducted and donated to your nonprofit. Many companies offer this program, which is often a convenient and low-effort way for employees to give recurring donations. 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Grants 

Many companies have CSR initiatives that provide grants to nonprofits with causes that align with their business values. These grants can be tied to specific initiatives or general expenses. To increase your chances of securing a grant, approach businesses that align with your organization’s mission.

“Buy One, Give One” Model 

Companies can implement a “buy one, give one” model where an equivalent item is donated to a nonprofit for every product sold. It allows companies to directly contribute to your cause with each sale, making it easy for their customers to feel involved in giving back. 

Easy Workplace Fundraising Activities

Securing charitable donations from corporate companies can be easy! Here are some top strategies that you can start using right away. 

Casual Days 

If you’re looking for simpler alternatives to corporate matching gift programs or securing sponsors, drive employee donations through a casual day. Employees pay a small fee to dress casually; the proceeds go toward your cause. You can use a theme to make this more engaging, such as “pajama day” or “80s dress code“. 

Bake Sales 

Organize a bake sale where employees donate baked goods, and your organization can sell these goods to raise money for your cause. Alternatively, you can donate these goods to food shelters, underprivileged schools, or people without homes in your community. 

Office Raffles 

Host an office raffle with prizes donated by local businesses. This corporate fundraising strategy also supports employee engagement programs by making the workplace more exciting. 

Office Penny Wars

Set up a fun competition where different departments or teams compete to collect the most pennies. Each team receives a jar, and they can add pennies to earn points. Other teams can sabotage by adding coins that aren’t pennies or bills to the opposing team’s jar, deducting points. It’s a playful way to get everyone involved and raise money quickly.

Lunchtime Food Truck Day 

Partner with a local food truck to visit your office and donate a portion of their sales to your nonprofit. This works well for special events; businesses can promote it internally to maximize participation.

Charity Auctions

There are two ways to host charity auctions for corporate fundraising. You can create an auction event for employees and have them bid against each other on items donated by your local community. Alternatively, you can have employees donate items to host a charity auction for your community.

Pay-to-Play” Challenges 

Another effective way to secure corporate donors and maximize financial contributions is to host a series of office challenges they must pay to compete in. These challenges can include fitness contests, a battle of the bands, or a trivia game. Consider games that align with corporate values. 

Guess the Number

Fill a jar with candy, marbles, or any small item, and have employees make a small donation to guess how many are inside. The person who guesses the closest wins the jar of goodies. 

Charity Car Wash 

Organize a car wash station in the office parking lot or nearby and offer to wash employees’ cars for a donation. To encourage larger contributions, you can also create a tiered donation structure, for example, a basic wash for a set fee or a full wash for a higher price. 

Desk Decorating Contest 

Another quick and easy idea is a desk or workspace decorating contest based on a theme (e.g., holiday decorations, company values, or favorite causes). Employees can pay a small entry fee to participate; the winner gets a prize.

Seasonal & Event-Based Corporate Fundraisers

Seasonal and event-based fundraisers go beyond raising funds and get employees directly involved in your cause, cultivating meaningful relationships between nonprofits and corporate businesses. These are the best ideas to consider.

Holiday Gift Drives 

Holiday gift drives are an excellent corporate fundraising idea that workplaces can use every holiday. Depending on the cause, employees can give gifts to underprivileged families or children, or make donations to animal or homeless shelters. 

Back-to-School Drives

Collaborate with corporate businesses to host back-to-school drives before the start of the school year. Companies can motivate employees to donate school supplies to children in need. Alternatively, you can also have employees contribute a fixed fee that covers a package of essential stationery for each child. 

Image source: The Salvation Army

Thanksgiving Food Drives 

Collaborate with local businesses to collect food donations for families in need during the Thanksgiving season. You can also create food stations where groups of employees volunteer to make Thanksgiving food parcels for underprivileged families. 

Summer Fundraising Events 

Summer is a great season to get employees out and about while having them raise money for your nonprofit. Host outdoor corporate team-building events, like picnics or games, with all proceeds benefiting your nonprofit. 

Winter Coat Drive

During the colder months, consider hosting a coat drive. Encourage employees to donate old coats, scarves, and gloves, and the company will match donations or offer a prize to the department that donates the most. 

Corporate Golf Tournaments 

Organize a corporate-sponsored golf event where businesses pay to participate, donate prizes, and sponsor holes. This corporate fundraising idea works because it’s competitive, and you can award prizes to the team with the highest points. 

Holiday Gift Wrapping Service

During the holiday season, offer a gift-wrapping service at the office where employees can bring in their gifts, and volunteers wrap them for a donation. 

Spring Cleaning Drive

Encourage employees to donate gently used clothing, books, or household items for a spring cleaning donation drive. The company can set up collection boxes, and employees can volunteer to help sort and organize items. 

New Year’s Resolution Pledge Drive 

At the beginning of the year, motivate employees to make New Year’s resolutions and ask them to pledge a donation for each goal they set or achieve. For example, they could pledge to donate a certain amount for every day they exercise or for each milestone they reach. 

Virtual and Hybrid Ideas for Remote Teams

Many corporations have remote teams, so here are the best online fundraising strategies to get those employees involved. 

Virtual 5K Runs or Walks

Employees can participate in a virtual run or walk, tracking their progress using a fitness app of their choice. They would pay a flat fee to join the challenge, and you could offer prizes to participants who reach the finish line first. 

Online Auctions 

Host a virtual auction with items or services that businesses donate, and employees would find valuable to bid on. 

Online Game Tournament 

Want to get employees to raise money by competing in an online gaming tournament? Consider games such as trivia, virtual escape rooms, or multiplayer video games. Employees can participate in a donation drive, and the winner will receive a prize. 

Virtual Happy Hours

Employees can donate to join your virtual happy hour event and enjoy networking opportunities and entertainment. Make this idea a dedicated virtual event to raise awareness about your cause and encourage charitable giving by sharing the impact of employees’ contributions.

Virtual Cooking Class 

Partner with a chef or a local restaurant to host a virtual cooking class where employees can refine their culinary skills. Charge an entry fee and encourage employees to make a donation to access the class.

Image source: Halton Hills Public Library

Virtual Pet Show

This fundraising idea is excellent for corporate employees who are passionate about their pets. Participants can enter for a donation, and attendees can pay to vote for their favorite pets in different categories.

Online Giving Days 

Create a corporate-sponsored giving day that allows employees to donate directly to your nonprofit through a digital platform. You don’t have to limit their contributions to money; you can also accept skill-based volunteering, depending on how this could benefit your cause. 

Virtual Book Club 

Start an online book club for employees to read a book together and hold discussions. To participate, employees donate a fixed amount. You can invite authors to speak or host themed discussions for added fun, encouraging more engagement and donations.

Digital Art Competition 

Have creative employees submit artwork based on a theme, such as paintings, digital designs, or photography. Participants can pay an entry fee; others can vote by donating to their favorite pieces.

Virtual Photo Scavenger Hunt

Give employees a list of items or themes to capture in photos from around their homes or neighborhoods. Participants pay an entry fee, and they can earn bonus points by creatively interpreting the themes. 

How to Start Building Corporate Partnerships

Building strong corporate partnerships takes time and strategy. Here’s how to get started:

• Identify Potential Partners: Look for businesses whose mission or values align with yours. Consider local companies, multinational corporations, and even smaller organizations with active CSR programs.
• Craft a Tailored Approach: Approach companies with a personalized pitch explaining the benefits of supporting your cause. Be specific about how their involvement will make a difference.
• Start Small: Begin by offering smaller, low-risk ways for companies to get involved, such as employee volunteer days or in-kind donations.
• Show Value: Emphasize how the partnership will help businesses fulfill their CSR goals and enhance employee satisfaction, community impact, and brand image.
• Cultivate Relationships: Building long-term alliances is key. Keep companies updated with success stories and maintain communication throughout the year.

Tips to Maximize Corporate Fundraising Engagement and ROI

Here are expert tips for optimizing engagement and ROI for your corporate fundraising efforts:

• Promote the Partnership: Actively market your partnership through various marketing channels, such as social media and email newsletters, to increase visibility for your nonprofit and the corporate partner.
• Involve Employees: The more employees feel involved, the more likely they are to contribute. Encourage businesses to share your nonprofit in employee communications. Doing this will make it easier for employees to understand your cause and participate.
• Offer Recognition: Publicly acknowledge corporate partners through your website, newsletters, and events. Recognition strengthens the relationship and motivates future giving.
• Measure Impact: Regularly track and report on the funds raised and the outcomes of corporate partnerships. This helps maintain transparency and can be used to secure additional funding.
• Create Annual Campaigns: Establish annual fundraising campaigns that companies can participate in yearly. This ensures that fundraising becomes a consistent and reliable stream of support.

Create Your Corportate Fundraising Plan Today

Corporate fundraising is an excellent opportunity for nonprofit organizations to leverage networks and additional funding streams. These partnerships help nonprofits access the necessary resources to grow, including volunteer time, event materials, and exposure to broader audiences. 

Businesses also benefit from working with nonprofits. They can enhance their brand reputation through corporate philanthropy and fundraising, thereby maximizing employee engagement. Fortunately, there are loads of workplace giving campaigns to get started with, whether you’re looking for quick ideas or online initiatives. 

Do you need digital marketing and media experts for your corporate fundraising plan? Contact NextGen Fundraising today!