{"id":57828,"date":"2023-01-09T22:04:03","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T06:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/nonprofit-blog?p=57828"},"modified":"2025-05-16T03:19:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T10:19:00","slug":"cause-marketing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/nonprofit-blog\/cause-marketing","title":{"rendered":"Cause Marketing \u2013 Boost Revenue Through Collaborations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cause marketing can be the first step in forming vital relationships with local businesses and corporations. A cause marketing partnership can immediately benefit for-profit and nonprofit organizations and lead to long-term donor relationships<\/a> and sponsorships.<\/p>\n

This article shares why and how nonprofits can prepare for these business relationships.<\/p>\n

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  1. What is cause marketing?<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. How does cause-related marketing help nonprofits?<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. 9 strategies for successful cause marketing collaborations<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Bonus<\/strong> – Opening the door to new corporate partners in 3 steps<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. 3 examples of excellent cause marketing campaigns<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    <\/a>What is Cause Marketing?<\/h2>\n

    Cause marketing is a partnership between nonprofits and businesses where businesses promote their product or service and direct a percentage or all of the income to a nonprofit.<\/p>\n

    Cause marketing offers businesses a chance to share how socially responsible<\/a> they are with their customers, but they aren\u2019t the only ones that benefit from this partnership.<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>How Does Cause-Related Marketing Help Nonprofits?<\/h2>\n

    There are 2 primary ways nonprofits can benefit from cause marketing. Nonprofits generally receive a percentage of the business\u2019s sales, but that\u2019s not the only source of funding organizations may see.<\/p>\n

    Cause marketing gives nonprofits access to diversified revenue<\/a> sources. When a nonprofit partners with a corporation, they also receive free advertising and have access to a new audience of business staff and customers.<\/p>\n

    New donors that find the nonprofit because of these partnerships may become long-term and recurring donors, or even members.<\/p>\n

    Cause marketing can also be an excellent starting point for building community partnerships<\/a> with a for-profit company. In the long run, this partnership can become future sponsorship<\/a> opportunities, access to more volunteers, and major donors.<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>9 Strategies for Successful Cause Marketing Collaborations<\/h2>\n

    \"cause<\/p>\n

    If your nonprofit wants to break into cause marketing, there are a few strategies you should take.<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>1. Set your goals<\/h3>\n

    Like with many things, before starting cause marketing<\/a>, you must set a few goals.<\/p>\n

    You may begin with revenue goals and a target dollar amount. But you\u2019ll also want to include other goals like the number of new donors and more social media responses.<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>2. Do thorough research on the company<\/h3>\n

    At the start, you\u2019ll have to do quite a bit of outreach to other companies. You\u2019ll want to research companies with similar missions<\/a> and see if you have any personal connections. You\u2019ll have a much better chance of forming a partnership if you already have an in.<\/p>\n

    Before getting started, you must also know what you\u2019re stepping into. Cause marketing may open you up to bad public relations. When you partner with a company, their reputation and business dealings that have nothing to do with you may still affect how donors see you.<\/p>\n

    When researching a company, it\u2019s crucial to learn if it is reputable and if any issues with its business could adversely affect your nonprofit.<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>3. Prepare to be found<\/h3>\n

    You\u2019ll also want to make it easy for companies to find you when you start. Cause marketing takes a lot of outreach, but sometimes you get lucky, and a company will find you.<\/p>\n

    That can only happen if your website<\/a> promotes you in a way that companies find approachable and worth the trouble.<\/p>\n

    Ensure your website shares your mission and how your programs help achieve this mission. Make sure visitors see a clear vision and strategic plan and get excited about your organization’s future.<\/p>\n

    Finally, you need to create a webpage highlighting what businesses get in exchange for their support and provide a way for companies to personally reach out to you.<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>4. Think of it as an investment<\/h3>\n

    You must look at cause marketing as an investment. For that, start with creating a budget to cover potential marketing, advertising<\/a>, and campaign supplies.<\/p>\n

    Although it\u2019s the business that is doing the promotions, you\u2019d want to spread the word at your end. There is the potential that these costs may end up being more than you get in return. Hence, doing market research and understanding the budget<\/a> requirements in advance is important.<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>5. Reach out and promote yourself<\/h3>\n

    You only have one chance to make a first impression, so you must be prepared when you reach out to companies. There are a few questions you must be ready to answer:<\/p>\n