Sponsorship & Corporate Giving
You may wish to consider seeking funding from companies who are interested in what you are doing, or have Corporate Giving Schemes (you can find out about this on any given company’s website).
Start with businesses that some of your members have a connection with, or that may be a future supplier, and try and identify a relevant named contact to approach, rather than emailing a generic address. If you are approaching new companies, remember to think carefully about ethical considerations and avoid companies whose values conflict with those of your overall ethos and purpose.
When reaching out to potential sponsors, you also need to think about what you can offer in return, such as publicity. This is where social sponsorship comes in – the company sponsors your new business so that it can associate its brand identity and profile with you; for example, it may wish to display its logo on the premises, or on your website and any printed materials.
Don’t just focus on cash sponsorship!
Companies can also provide materials for refurbishment, fittings and furnishings, packaging and stationery, or even goods that you can sell as part of a fundraising event – all of which they will regard as ‘sponsorship’ and larger organisations will probably have annual budgets allocated for their CSR policy programme (Corporate & Social Responsibility).
American Express
www.about.americanexpress.com/corporate-responsibility
Supports programmes encouraging community service and civic participation that deliver measurable outcomes having a lasting impact on communities. They aim to build the capacity of non-profits by assisting them in developing, engaging and retaining community members as volunteers.
Asda Foundation
www.asdafoundation.org/how-to-apply
A charitable corporate foundation making independent grants throughout the UK with the aim of transforming and improving lives for people and communities in the UK, both now and in the future.
Persimmon Homes
www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions
Funds good causes across the UK especially local community initiatives. As a plc, they give away up to £2,000 every month via their 31 businesses – a total of over £60,000 a month! Since April 2020 their focus has been on organisations supporting the over-70’s community who are vulnerable and need support during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Warburtons
www.warburtons.co.uk/corporate/sustainability/community/grant
Offering small grants to support charitable organisations within the local community which fulfil the ambitions of Warburtons' ‘Families Matter’ community investment strategy.
