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Corporate Partnerships in a Season of Change: Trends to Watch

Corporate Partnerships in a Season of Change: Trends to Watch

Oct 9, 2025 | , , , ,

Headlines are moving fast these days. U.S. tariffs, shifting global markets, a Canadian election. And while these stories may feel far from your day-to-day fundraising, they’re not. We’re stepping into a season of change, and that uncertainty will influence how companies give, partner, and show up.

This isn’t about crystal ball predictions. I want to share a few trends and strategies that can help nonprofit leaders navigate the months ahead.

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Corporate Fundraising

Corporate Partnerships in a Season of Change: Trends to Watch

Corporate Partnerships in a Season of Change: Trends to Watch

Oct 9, 2025

Headlines are moving fast these days. U.S. tariffs, shifting global markets, a Canadian election. And while these stories may feel far from your day-to-day fundraising, they’re not. We’re stepping into a season of change, and that uncertainty will influence how companies give, partner, and show up.

This isn’t about crystal ball predictions. I want to share a few trends and strategies that can help nonprofit leaders navigate the months ahead.

View Older Entries

Partnerships

Corporate Partnerships in a Season of Change: Trends to Watch

Corporate Partnerships in a Season of Change: Trends to Watch

Oct 9, 2025

Headlines are moving fast these days. U.S. tariffs, shifting global markets, a Canadian election. And while these stories may feel far from your day-to-day fundraising, they’re not. We’re stepping into a season of change, and that uncertainty will influence how companies give, partner, and show up.

This isn’t about crystal ball predictions. I want to share a few trends and strategies that can help nonprofit leaders navigate the months ahead.

View Older Entries

Corporate Fundraising That Works

A 60-min Masterclass, hosted by Charity Village, authored by Heather Nelson. On-demand, $99, and full of value to get you started.

Learn more about this course

Sponsorships

Corporate Partnerships in a Season of Change: Trends to Watch

Corporate Partnerships in a Season of Change: Trends to Watch

Oct 9, 2025

Headlines are moving fast these days. U.S. tariffs, shifting global markets, a Canadian election. And while these stories may feel far from your day-to-day fundraising, they’re not. We’re stepping into a season of change, and that uncertainty will influence how companies give, partner, and show up.

This isn’t about crystal ball predictions. I want to share a few trends and strategies that can help nonprofit leaders navigate the months ahead.

View Older Entries

News

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YouTube Videos

The fix isn’t more names on a list. I get it. Everyone wants a big list of corporate prospects. It feels like action. It feels like progress. But often? It leads to overwhelm. And that overwhelm leads to rushed emails, limited research, and the dreaded “spray and pray” approach. Here’s the fix I know works (and have seen again and again): ✅ Start with a shorter list. ✅ Focus on alignment over volume. ✅ Prioritize thoughtful outreach and meaningful follow-up. Depth beats breadth, especially in corporate partnerships. So before you chase more names… check in. Are the ones you already have the right ones? ______________ JOIN ME: If you like this video hit "LIKE", and if you are working in corporate partnerships and sponsorships regularly, please "SUBSCRIBE" to this channel, so you can get regular videos from me that are practical, cheerleading and inspirational advice on how to raise more money from companies. https://www.youtube.com/@heatherbridgeraise 👉 LIKE this video if you found it helpful & COMMENT below with your biggest takeaway! Who am I? I'm Heather Nelson and I'm a Corporate Sponsorship Specialist. I help nonprofits and charities of all sizes raise more money from companies. My boutique consultancy BridgeRaise focuses entirely on corporate partnerships and corporate sponsorships for nonprofits. LOOKING TO CONNECT? REACH OUT! Email: heather@bridgeraise.com Website: https://www.bridgeraise.com/ Blog: https://www.bridgeraise.com/blog/ LinkedIn: / @nelsonheather Instagram: / @bridgeraise
The Big List | Your Corporate Partnership Fix
For fundraisers looking to build lasting and meaningful corporate relationships, employee volunteering can be a powerful and sometimes overwhelming piece of the puzzle. Heather is joined by Farrah Rooney, G. Dipl. SRS, Manager of Corporate Citizenship at Volunteer Canada, to explore how well-structured corporate volunteering programs not only benefit communities and the organizations that serve them, but also strengthen alignment between companies and nonprofit missions. Farrah shares how volunteering continues to be a core pillar in corporate ESG and CSR strategies, what gives an organization "volunteering credibility" in the eyes of companies, and why a lack of volunteer alignment can be a competitive disadvantage for nonprofits. You’ll learn: ☑️ Why volunteering is becoming a critical factor for companies when choosing nonprofit partners ☑️ How to frame volunteer opportunities that deliver value to both sides ☑️ How volunteering can deepen mission alignment and set you up for multi-year investments Meet Farrah Rooney, a social impact strategist and builder of resilient communities through purpose-driven corporate partnerships. At Volunteer Canada, she leads national programs that help companies engage employees in meaningful volunteering. With 15+ years across business, tech, and philanthropy, Farrah brings strategy, heart, and action to every table. ______________ JOIN ME: If you like this video hit "LIKE", and if you are working in corporate partnerships and sponsorships regularly, please "SUBSCRIBE" to this channel, so you can get regular videos from me that are practical, cheerleading and inspirational advice on how to raise more money from companies. https://www.youtube.com/@heatherbridgeraise 👉 LIKE this video if you found it helpful & COMMENT below with your biggest takeaway! Who am I? I'm Heather Nelson and I'm a Corporate Sponsorship Specialist. I help nonprofits and charities of all sizes raise more money from companies. My boutique consultancy BridgeRaise focuses entirely on corporate partnerships and corporate sponsorships for nonprofits. LOOKING TO CONNECT? REACH OUT! Email: heather@bridgeraise.com Website: https://www.bridgeraise.com/ Blog: https://www.bridgeraise.com/blog/ LinkedIn: / @nelsonheather Instagram: / @bridgeraise
How Corporate Volunteering Strengthens Partnerships
Too many nonprofits operate with fundraising strategies that feel disconnected with each team focused on their own lane, their own goals, and their own deadlines. But when fundraising efforts exist in silos, opportunities for synergy, efficiency, and bigger impact get missed. In this LinkedIn Live, Heather spoke with Cathy Mann to explore what it means to build an integrated fundraising strategy.  A strategy that breaks down silos and aligns corporate partnerships, events, major gifts, and even program delivery into a cohesive, collaborative approach. You'll Hear: Why integrated fundraising is more than just good communication How corporate giving can support and be supported by other revenue streams Internal culture shifts that make integration possible What specific tactics you can use to move your organization in the right direction. About Cathy: A strategist with soul, Cathy is the sharp-witted powerhouse behind bold campaigns that marry mission with money. With 30+ years and recognition as Outstanding Fundraising Professional by AFP Greater Toronto, she's helped mission-driven organizations turn messy data into donor gold and fuzzy ideas into million-dollar visions. She believes great fundraising should be energizing, not soul-crushing. If you're not prepared to laugh a bit while building something amazing, maybe Cathy's not your Mann. ______________ JOIN ME: If you like this video hit "LIKE", and if you are working in corporate partnerships and sponsorships regularly, please "SUBSCRIBE" to this channel, so you can get regular videos from me that are practical, cheerleading and inspirational advice on how to raise more money from companies. https://www.youtube.com/@heatherbridgeraise 👉 LIKE this video if you found it helpful & COMMENT below with your biggest takeaway! Who am I? I'm Heather Nelson and I'm a Corporate Sponsorship Specialist. I help nonprofits and charities of all sizes raise more money from companies. My boutique consultancy BridgeRaise focuses entirely on corporate partnerships and corporate sponsorships for nonprofits. LOOKING TO CONNECT? REACH OUT! Email: heather@bridgeraise.com Website: https://www.bridgeraise.com/ Blog: https://www.bridgeraise.com/blog/ LinkedIn: / @nelsonheather Instagram: / @bridgeraise
Integrated Fundraising: A Framework for Working Across Different Fundraising Pillars
Nonprofit leaders know the pressure: donors want proof of impact, not just stories. At the same time, resources are stretched thinner than ever. How do you show your outcomes clearly, credibly, and confidently? We cover that topic in this LinkedIn Live Edition with Lauren Ott, Head of Membership at Impact Genome, helping organizations leverage the Impact Verified® Seal to scale the way social impact is measured across sectors.: You’ll hear how nonprofits are using Impact Genome to: ✨ Show outcomes that go beyond anecdotes ✨ Build trust with donors through standardized, credible reporting ✨ Strengthen funding relationships, even when resources are stretched thin If you’re a nonprofit leader looking to move beyond outputs and into real impact reporting, this conversation is for you. About Lauren: Lauren Ott is a dynamic social entrepreneur and impact strategist, dedicated to helping organizations drive measurable change on the causes that matter most to communities. Her journey began teaching in a public high school classroom in Ecuador and has since spanned national and global stages—from shaping policy on Parliament Hill in Canada to building transformative partnerships with global brands like General Mills, Siemens, and KPMG. ______________ JOIN ME: If you like this video hit "LIKE", and if you are working in corporate partnerships and sponsorships regularly, please "SUBSCRIBE" to this channel, so you can get regular videos from me that are practical, cheerleading and inspirational advice on how to raise more money from companies. https://www.youtube.com/@heatherbridgeraise 👉 LIKE this video if you found it helpful & COMMENT below with your biggest takeaway! Who am I? I'm Heather Nelson and I'm a Corporate Sponsorship Specialist. I help nonprofits and charities of all sizes raise more money from companies. My boutique consultancy BridgeRaise focuses entirely on corporate partnerships and corporate sponsorships for nonprofits. LOOKING TO CONNECT? REACH OUT! Email: heather@bridgeraise.com Website: https://www.bridgeraise.com/ Blog: https://www.bridgeraise.com/blog/ LinkedIn: / @nelsonheather Instagram: / @bridgeraise #fundraising #CorporatePartnership #Lauren Ott #corporatefundraising #CorporateSponsorship #Nonprofits #HeatherNelson #BridgeRaise
How Nonprofits are Reporting Impact with Confidence in Challenging Times
Too many nonprofits chase deadlines, dollars, and decisions without a clear plan and it’s costing them time and funding. In this session, Heather was joined by Elaine Marie Navarro, Founder of Just Look Left, to explore what really sets successful grant fundraising apart: early strategy, clear focus, and consistent follow-through. You’ll learn why starting with a grant calendar is a game-changer, how to filter out misaligned opportunities (in both grants and corporate partnerships), and how to build a system that helps you say no to the wrong things and yes to the right ones. Listen to the end to access a grant checklist from Elaine. About Elaine: Elaine started Just Look Left in the middle of the 2020 pandemic—because if not then, when? What began as a side hustle to rekindle her passion for grant consulting quickly grew into a thriving full-service firm. Today, Elaine leads a powerhouse team of six incredible grant professionals dedicated to helping nonprofits secure vital funding and make a real impact. A certified grant writer and proud University of Oregon alumna (Go Ducks!), Elaine combines creativity and strategy to deliver results. Outside the office, she’s a mom to three lively daughters and two snoring bulldogs, a wine tasting enthusiast, avid traveler, concert lover, and unapologetic carb aficionado. Sign up for Heather's newsletter at www.bridgeraise.com ______________ JOIN ME: If you like this video hit "LIKE", and if you are working in corporate partnerships and sponsorships regularly, please "SUBSCRIBE" to this channel, so you can get regular videos from me that are practical, cheerleading and inspirational advice on how to raise more money from companies. https://www.youtube.com/@heatherbridgeraise 👉 LIKE this video if you found it helpful & COMMENT below with your biggest takeaway! Who am I? I'm Heather Nelson and I'm a Corporate Sponsorship Specialist. I help nonprofits and charities of all sizes raise more money from companies. My boutique consultancy BridgeRaise focuses entirely on corporate partnerships and corporate sponsorships for nonprofits. LOOKING TO CONNECT? REACH OUT! Email: heather@bridgeraise.com Website: https://www.bridgeraise.com/ Blog: https://www.bridgeraise.com/blog/ LinkedIn: / @nelsonheather Instagram: / @bridgeraise #fundraising #CorporatePartnership #ElaineNavarro #CorporateFundraising #CorporateSponsorship #Nonprofits #HeatherNelson #BridgeRaise
The First Step to Smarter Grant Fundraising A Calendar and a Strategy
How corporate support goes far beyond writing a cheque is such an important piece of understanding the power of nonprofit-corporate partnerships. In this LinkedIn Live, Heather was joined by branding and communications expert Shelley L. Mayer, CM to unpack what it takes to go from a silent supporter to a full-on spotlight partner. We explored how nonprofits and their corporate partners can work together to shine a bigger, brighter light on important causes, and how smart, accessible messaging helps maximize both impact and visibility. Because when corporations bring their platforms, audiences, and credibility to the table, they can amplify a nonprofit’s voice in ways that matter deeply. But it doesn’t happen automatically. It takes intention, collaboration, and shared goals. We talked about: - How to make your cause easy to amplify - Why clarity and simplicity in messaging matter - And how visibility builds staying power in corporate partnerships If you're looking to better align your corporate partnerships with your brand and mission, and truly leverage those relationships to be seen and heard, this conversation is for you. Shelley’s Bio: Shelley Mayer is the founder of Ramp, a branding and communications agency focused on social impact. With over 20 years of experience across client and agency roles, she has advised hundreds of nonprofits and charities, including World Animal Protection, Food Banks Canada, Trans Canada Trail, and Habitat for Humanity. A Chartered Marketer, GRI-certified sustainability professional and creator of the Enlightened Brands™ method, Shelley is known for her strategic thinking, industry connections, and commitment to purpose-driven work. ______________ JOIN ME: If you like this video hit "LIKE", and if you are working in corporate partnerships and sponsorships regularly, please "SUBSCRIBE" to this channel, so you can get regular videos from me that are practical, cheerleading and inspirational advice on how to raise more money from companies. Who am I? I'm Heather Nelson and I'm a Corporate Sponsorship Specialist. I help nonprofits and charities of all sizes raise more money from companies. My boutique consultancy BridgeRaise focuses entirely on corporate partnerships and corporate sponsorships for nonprofits. LOOKING TO CONNECT? REACH OUT! Email: hello@bridgeraise.com Website: https://www.bridgeraise.com/ Blog: https://www.bridgeraise.com/blog/ LinkedIn: / @nelsonheather Instagram: / @bridgeraise #corporatesponsorship #heatherkelly #sponsorshipsuccess #corporatepartnership #corporatefundraising #CorporateFundraising #Nonprofits #heathernelson
From Support to Spotlight The Role of Corporations in Cause Visibility
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