Writing Corporate Proposals Mike Naholi Innovative Concepts

Corporate Fundraising Different from regular donors Do not have much time if any to be deeply involved in project Would rather give and let you do the rest. Companies love innovative projects Publicity Cost effective budgets Innovative Concepts

Why Corporates Give Marketing themselves and their products Strengthening their brand identity Profiling the Company To create goodwill To meet stakeholder expectations Employee Motivation Innovative Concepts

Why Corporates Give To associate with causes within their line of business or social responsibility policy Due to interest / demands of senior manager Political pressure Peer pressure - Because other companies are also giving (herding Because they are asked!!!!! Innovative Concepts

What do companies like to support? Activities that relate to their business / product / services Activities that attract mass public support Important local community projects Activities that create great publicity Prestigious projects Innovative Concepts

What companies don’t like to support Appeals for expressly religious purposes Controversial campaigns Requests from physical areas in which they have no business presence / interest Issues in which other companies are already entrenched – limited PR Benefits Non-brick & Mortar activities Circular appeals Innovative Concepts

What do companies Give? Financial support Non-financial support Sponsorship In-Kind Products / services Material Employee skills / time / resources Endorsement Access to Company facilities Innovative Concepts

What’s in it for them? Think about the benefit package to the company. Every company wants something in return even if they do not state it so openly That’s why they do not give anonymous cheques Benefits include: Publicity Increased public profile Access to beneficiaries Acknowledgments Future business prospects Innovative Concepts

What do you have to offer? Do not beg or use the guilt card– it lowers your value Don’t send one sided proposals. Every organization has something to offer. It could be your: Networks Beneficiaries (number, type, location) Brand name Business Expertise Experience Capacity Innovative Concepts

The Proposal Writing the proposal: Write a compelling case for support (3 pages max) No Jargon, No typos What is in it for me: Think about why the company should support you (their perspective) Tailor the proposal to the company Use the company’s guidelines (where available) Be specific about areas of collaboration or support Innovative Concepts

How the company will benefit Proposed format Introduction The need How the company will benefit Budget Innovative Concepts

Follow up to the proposal Be professional Maintain regular contact Exude confidence Provide all further information required Keep the company informed on your activities Innovative Concepts

The first meeting Be on time!!!! Go as a team not an individual Preparation Have a brief presentation (10mins) Talk collaboration not donation Close with an agreement on the next steps Leave something behind Innovative Concepts

In a nutshell Corporate proposals should be: Short 3 or so pages Clear Interesting Free of jargon Capture benefits Well packaged Targeted Innovative Concepts