Successful corporate fundraising is about so much more than ‘the cheque’.

It’s about building strategic, mutually beneficial partnerships – which is exactly what we’re here to help you do.

Corporate partnerships

About BridgeRaise

At BridgeRaise, we provide the strategic direction, implementation strategy, support, training, and tools you need to cultivate and grow a robust relationship-based corporate fundraising strategy. Our coaching-consulting model ensures your corporate partnerships are nurtured for long-term success.

Since establishing in 2018, we have empowered hundreds of organizations to unlock significant revenue through effective corporate partnership programs. With over 100 years of combined experience, our team brings diverse expertise and a deep commitment to the transformative power of values-aligned corporate fundraising.

Let us help you harness this potential to further your mission and amplify your impact.

Your Team

Heather Nelson, President and Lead Consultant, MBA, CFRE Heather loves fundraising, which is why she’s been working with charities, volunteers, and donors for more than 20 years. Over the course of her career, she’s demonstrated a deep expertise in corporate partnership with a unique approach that focuses on building relationships and ensuring mutual value. Heather built the corporate partner program at Food Banks Canada from scratch to be a $7M program and over the last 5 years has supported over 50 different charities and nonprofits at establishing and expanding corporate partner and sponsorship programs at their organizations. Heather understands the connection between fundraising and marketing and how to unlock the potential for win-win relationships. Heather draws on her extensive experience in corporate fundraising, sponsorships and cause marketing to ensure her clients are successful. Heather is a contributing author to the women’s leadership book Embracing Ambition, which you can purchase here. Heather’s sweet spots: Accountability coaching, strategic planning and development, building prospect pipelines, organizational buy-in, cause marketing

Melanie Caul, Account Director Melanie brings a diverse perspective to the BridgeRaise team, with specialized knowledge and applied experience in annual program development, integrated marketing approaches and operational processes – in addition to corporate partnership development strategy and practices. Over her 20+ year career, she has fundraised for higher education and hospital institutions, humanitarian and social welfare causes, and has a special affinity for charities addressing housing and food insecurity. Melanie especially loves tackling complex challenges and collaborating with clients to create impactful fundraising strategies that drive meaningful change. She is passionate about developing innovative solutions that not only meet immediate goals but also lay the groundwork for sustainable growth.

Melanie’s sweet spots: Strategy and planning, big-picture brainstorming, processes and logistics, prospect research and development, plus anything data and analytics.

Kate Taylor, Account Director, MA

Kate is passionate about helping not-for-profit organizations thrive by fostering meaningful partnerships with businesses that align with a charity’s mission. With over 15 years of dedicated experience in the not-for-profit realm, Kate truly values cultivating connections, collaborating on purposeful projects, and offering guidance to others.

Kate’s professional journey includes holding senior fundraising roles within various arts organizations in both Canada and the UK. With a background in museum curation, she seamlessly blends her organizational skills with her creative flair to make a tangible impact in the not-for-profit sector.

Kate’s specialty is in crafting customized strategies to secure funding through corporate partnerships that resonate with the core values of charitable organizations. Known for her unwavering commitment, authenticity, attention to detail, and optimistic approach, Kate is a trusted mentor you can always rely on.

Kate’s sweet spots: relationship building, partnership values alignment, revenue generation strategy, team capacity building, creative activation..

Danielle Lewis, Design Consultant Danielle brings 18+ of graphic design and visual branding experience to our team. She ensures that we visually look our best so that the work we do shines. She is passionate about supporting not for profits and community led programming. Over her career she has created the visual branding for The New Mom Project, Durham Youth Services and The Period Purse to name a few. She continues to work with businesses big and small, though the not for profit and heart led businesses are her sweet spot and she is a champion and advocated of supporting local. Beyond her professional work, Danielle is a cheerleader and supporter in the female business community, and enjoys volunteering at her kids’ school.

Photo Credit: http://www.christopherwahl.com/

“Heather Nelson brings a wealth of experience in corporate sponsorships to her not-for-profit practice. She provided us with an in-depth analysis of our organization’s approach to sponsorships as well as practical steps for positioning our program for success. Heather’s assessment has helped us to identify and focus on the critical areas for growth in our event and partnership fundraising.”

Anne Marie Peirce, CFRE President & CEO The Community Foundation of Mississauga

“Heather applies strategy, problem solving and creativity and is always driven to both create win-win campaigns, as well as exceed expectations for the brand and charity she represents. She is both educator and champion bringing a rigor and commitment to the partnerships she builds, whereby trust is established early and she can then focus on adding value to her partners.”

Tania Little, CFRE Director, Food Banks Canada

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