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Start by assigning ownership. Decide who will research opportunities, who will contact companies, who will manage applications, and who will report on results. If one person handles several roles, document those responsibilities so the process does not depend on memory alone.

As Sydney Faye from �ԹϺ����� adds, “Corporate giving is often fragmented across development, marketing, and volunteer management. A dedicated, cross-functional team is essential because it treats corporate support as a unified strategy, not just a set of disconnected programs. This ensures that a matching gift lead isn’t missed, a volunteer grant is pursued, and the relationship is consistently nurtured to evolve into a major sponsorship.”

Get started! Building a team is the first step in developing a workplace giving roadmap.�� to kick off your efforts.

2. Stay informed about corporate philanthropy.

Corporate giving programs change as companies update their priorities, launch new initiatives, and respond to social, economic, and industry developments. Keeping up with these changes helps your nonprofit focus on opportunities that fit its mission and current needs.

Build a simple research routine. Review company giving pages and annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports, monitor relevant philanthropy publications, and subscribe to industry newsletters, like �ԹϺ�����’s. Record the date you reviewed each program, since eligibility rules, deadlines, and areas of focus may change.

As you research, look for patterns that could affect your fundraising plan. These may include more year-round giving programs, employee matching gifts, volunteer grants, in-kind support, event sponsorships, or partnerships tied to local needs. Treat these as signals to investigate rather than assumptions about what every company offers.

The more you understand a company’s priorities, the easier it becomes to make a relevant request and explain how your work aligns with its goals.

📚 Recommended Reading: Top Trends in Corporate Philanthropy: How to Tap In

3. Enlist a comprehensive CRM system.

Tracking corporate giving opportunities takes more than keeping a list of company names. A constituent relationship management (CRM) system helps nonprofits organize donor and company records, document conversations, and coordinate next steps.

Use your CRM to maintain a profile for each corporate prospect and partner. Depending on your team’s needs, records can include:

• Key contacts: Names, roles, contact details, and the best way to reach each person.
• Giving history: Past donations, matching gifts, sponsorships, grants, and in-kind contributions.
• Application status: Opportunities identified, eligibility checks, submission dates, decisions, and reporting requirements.
• Communication history: Emails, meetings, follow-up dates, and agreed next steps.
• Renewal opportunities: Dates to revisit a partnership or invite a company to support another program.

Centralized records help team members pick up a relationship without losing context. Many CRM platforms also offer reminders, reports, and segmentation tools. These features can help your team monitor deadlines, review fundraising progress, and tailor communications to companies based on their giving history.

�ԹϺ����� integrates with many leading CRMs to support workplace giving outreach. Donation records can flow from a CRM into a �ԹϺ����� account, helping nonprofits automate workplace giving emails and promote programs such as matching gifts and volunteer grants.

Choose a system your team can maintain. A well-used spreadsheet or CRM with accurate records is more useful than a complex setup that no one updates.

Check out our��recommended partner platforms��to find the right solution for����dzܰ���team!

4. Consider a corporate giving tool like �ԹϺ�����.

Managing corporate giving manually can take time, especially when your nonprofit is tracking several types of programs across a large supporter base. Specialized solutions like �ԹϺ����� can help organizations identify and manage workplace giving opportunities.

�ԹϺ����� offers tools that help nonprofits identify and track corporate giving opportunities, including matching gifts, volunteer incentives, corporate sponsorships, in-kind gifts, corporate grants, and other workplace giving programs.

Many employees qualify for employer-sponsored giving programs but may not know that these benefits exist. A workplace giving tool can help nonprofits identify donors who work for participating companies, share relevant program information, and guide supporters toward the required steps. Eligibility, match amounts, and application processes still depend on each employer’s rules.

The right tool should fit your fundraising workflow. Consider the programs you need to track, how your current CRM works, and how much time your team spends identifying opportunities and following up with supporters.

5. Leverage donor employment information.

Supporter employment information can reveal corporate giving opportunities that your nonprofit might otherwise miss. Many employers offer matching gifts, volunteer grants, or other workplace giving programs. Some may also be potential partners for sponsorships, grants, or in-kind contributions.

Start by asking donors and volunteers where they work. Add an optional employer field to donation forms, event registrations, or volunteer sign-up forms. Explain why you are collecting the information and handle it in line with your organization’s privacy practices.

Once you have employment data, use it to identify possible connections between your supporters and corporate programs. For example, a donor’s employer may match eligible charitable donations, while a volunteer’s company may provide grants based on employee volunteer hours. A company that employs several of your supporters may also be worth researching as a potential corporate partner.

Keep employment records current when possible, and use them to guide relevant follow-up rather than sending every supporter the same message. Employment data can help your team make more informed requests and connect people with opportunities that fit their circumstances.

📚 Recommended Reading:��Driving Value with Employer Data Throughout the Supporter Lifecycle

6. Encourage workplace giving participation among supporters.

Eligible employees may not use workplace giving programs because they do not know the programs exist or are unsure how to take part. Your nonprofit can help close that information gap by explaining available options and giving supporters clear next steps.

Promote workplace giving through email campaigns, social media posts, donation pages, and relevant website resources. Explain how an employer matching gift may increase the value of a donation and how a volunteer grant can turn service hours into additional support. Avoid promising a specific match until the donor has confirmed the employer’s terms.

Make participation easier by giving supporters a short process to follow:

1. Check the employer’s program. Encourage donors to search for their company or ask their HR or corporate social responsibility team about workplace giving options.
2. Confirm eligibility and requirements. The employer’s rules may specify eligible employees, nonprofits, donation types, match amounts, or deadlines.
3. Submit the request. Share the relevant instructions or link so the donor can complete the employer’s form or online process.
4. Follow up when appropriate. Remind donors about outstanding steps and thank them when they help secure additional support.

Consistent reminders can help supporters act on benefits they may otherwise overlook. Make workplace giving part of your regular donor communications, not a message that appears only once a year.

Ready to supercharge your efforts? Download the free guide to��.

7. Rally employees as corporate giving ambassadors.

Supporters who care about your mission can help introduce your nonprofit to the right people inside their workplaces. With useful information and a clear request, employees can help raise awareness of existing programs or open conversations about new corporate partnerships.

Here are three ways employees can advocate for your cause:

• Encourage leadership to consider a giving program. An employee can explain how a charitable initiative could support community needs, strengthen employee engagement, and align with the company’s goals. They might propose a one-off matching gift program tied to a campaign or event.
• Promote existing workplace giving options. Supporters can share approved information through internal communication channels, host an informational session, or remind colleagues about matching gifts and volunteer grants.
• Introduce your nonprofit to relevant contacts. Employees may be able to connect your team with decision-makers in human resources, corporate social responsibility, community relations, or philanthropy. These introductions can lead to conversations about grants, sponsorships, and in-kind support.

Help ambassadors represent your organization well. Provide a short description of your mission, a few verified impact points, suggested talking points, and an email template they can adapt. Make it clear that employees should follow their company’s internal policies and should not feel pressured to advocate.

Employee ambassadors can expand your network and help your nonprofit build relationships that go beyond a single donation.

Find out how your supporters can advocate for corporate giving programs with this guide. Then, share it with a donor who is ready to help advance your cause.

8. Segment and personalize corporate giving outreach.

Corporate prospects have different interests, giving processes, and levels of familiarity with your organization. A tailored approach helps your team make requests that fit each company, rather than relying on one generic message.

Start by grouping prospects according to their relationship with your nonprofit and the types of support they may offer:

• Existing corporate donors: Companies that have supported your work through sponsorships, grants, matching gifts, or other contributions.
• Potential corporate partners: Businesses whose priorities align with your mission but that have not yet supported your organization.
• Employee-supported companies: Businesses where your donors, volunteers, board members, or staff work and may be able to introduce your nonprofit to relevant contacts.

As Sydney Faye��explains, “When reaching out to corporate prospects, generic proposals fail. Effective outreach is surgical, not scattershot. You must personalize the message by segmenting based on how a company typically gives—whether it’s through matching gifts, high-dollar grants, or in-kind donations—and then tailor your proposal to demonstrate alignment with their specific CSR goals. This strategic focus significantly improves response and conversion rates.”

Use the segment to decide what to say and what to ask for. For existing donors, acknowledge their past support and suggest a relevant next step. For new prospects, show how your mission connects with their stated priorities and explain the potential impact of a partnership. For employee-supported companies, ask supporters whether they are comfortable making an introduction or sharing information about the company’s giving process.

Personalization can include addressing the right contact by name, referencing a company’s published priorities, and proposing a specific opportunity. Your CRM or corporate giving tool can help your team manage these details and schedule follow-ups.

Start planning your outreach with these

9. Develop corporate sponsorship proposals.

A clear corporate sponsorship proposal helps a company understand what you are asking for, how the support will be used, and what the partnership can offer in return. Tailor each proposal to the company’s priorities and the type of sponsorship you are seeking.

Build your proposal around three essentials:

1. Explain the opportunity for the company. Describe the audience it can reach and the recognition or engagement opportunities available. Depending on the arrangement, these may include logo placement, social media mentions, event recognition, or other agreed benefits. Connect these benefits to the company’s goals without overstating the likely results.
2. Show how you will use the support. Identify the program, event, or initiative the sponsorship will fund. Include a proposed budget, relevant data, and examples that help the company understand the expected impact.
3. Make the proposal specific to the company. Review its values, past giving, and published priorities. If the company focuses on environmental sustainability, for example, explain how your work relates to that focus when the connection is genuine.

A proposal should also make the next step clear. Include the requested amount or sponsorship level, the response deadline, contact details, and any supporting documents the company requires. If you offer different sponsorship levels, describe the benefits attached to each one so the company can compare options.

📚 Recommended Reading:��How to Write a Statement of Need for Grants [With Template]

10. Network with corporate partners.

Corporate partnerships often begin with a conversation before a formal request. Building relationships with business leaders, employee advocates, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) representatives can help your nonprofit learn about potential sponsorships, employee engagement programs, and collaborative projects.

Look for opportunities to meet relevant contacts at industry events, conferences, and local business networking meetings. Prepare a short introduction that explains your nonprofit’s mission, the people or communities you serve, and the kinds of partnership you are seeking. Keep it specific enough that a contact can see where their company might fit.

You can also use LinkedIn to identify corporate leaders and CSR professionals. Follow company updates, engage with relevant posts, and share credible updates about your nonprofit’s work before making a direct request.

After making a connection, continue the conversation. Send updates that match the contact’s interests, share relevant results, and check in when you have a concrete opportunity to discuss. A thoughtful follow-up helps keep your organization in mind without overwhelming the contact with messages.

�ԹϺ����� can help uncover top corporate partnership opportunities.��Find out how with this guide!

11. Track program deadlines and requirements.

Corporate giving programs, grants, and sponsorships often have specific application windows and documentation requirements. Missing a deadline or submitting an incomplete application can prevent your nonprofit from being considered, even when the opportunity is a strong fit.

Create one shared system to track each opportunity. You can use a spreadsheet, a shared calendar, or a dedicated section in your nonprofit’s CRM system. Include the information your team needs to act on time:

• Application deadlines: Dates for letters of inquiry, full proposals, and supporting documents.
• Funding-cycle dates: When applications open, when decisions are expected, and when new rounds begin.
• Eligibility and documentation: Required organization details, financial records, budgets, and other supporting materials.
• Reporting and renewal dates: Deadlines for reporting on past support and applying for continued funding.
• Internal owners and next steps: The person responsible, the next action, and a reminder date.

Review each company’s guidelines before preparing an application. Requirements may differ by program, including eligible nonprofit types, geographic focus, funding priorities, file formats, and reporting expectations. Keep notes on where you found the information and when your team last confirmed it.

A shared deadline tracker gives everyone a clear view of what needs attention and helps your nonprofit prepare applications with enough time for review.

💡 Learn how���ԹϺ�����’s corporate giving database can help your team identify relevant workplace giving programs.

12. Analyze corporate giving data.

Tracking donations shows what your nonprofit has received. Analyzing corporate giving data helps you understand which activities are working, where prospects drop off, and which relationships may have room to grow.
Review your donor database and CRM on a regular schedule. Useful measures include the total value of corporate donations, the number and frequency of contributions, matching gifts received, volunteer grants, sponsorship revenue, and the value of in-kind support. Where possible, record employee volunteer hours and estimate their value using a consistent method.

Look for patterns in the data. For example, identify which industries or company sizes engage with your mission, which types of giving generate the strongest results, and which outreach messages receive responses. Track how many prospects move from initial contact to a meeting, proposal, gift, and renewal. These stages can help you see where the process needs attention.

Use the findings to adjust your approach. If few prospects respond to a proposal, review its relevance and clarity. If donors start but do not complete matching gift requests, improve the reminders and instructions. If corporate partners give once but do not renew, plan a follow-up that reports on results and presents a suitable next opportunity.

Review the data with the team responsible for corporate giving and agree on a few practical changes to test. Over time, this process can help you focus staff time on the opportunities and relationships that are most likely to support your mission.

Start by tracking and analyzing matching gift data! This guide is here to help:��Matching Gift Reporting | Actionable Metrics & Reports