A corporate charity partnership is a relationship between a charitable organisation and a for-profit business that usually involves a charity receiving funds, goods or services from a business in exchange for something the corporate partner sees as beneficial. 

Corporate charity partnerships generate value for both charities and businesses. Partnering with a business can help a charity reach fundraising targets and deliver on its mission. Meanwhile, partnering with a charity can enable a business to meet its social responsibility goals, engage and motivate staff, and generate goodwill among customers and the wider community.

Corporate charity partnership options usually involve a charity receiving funds, goods or services from a business, but this can take many forms. Our tailor-made business charity partnerships help companies reach their own unique corporate and community goals. They can include the following elements:

• workplace giving programs and gift matching
• cause marketing solutions
• campaign sponsorship and event sponsorship
• social enterprises and community development partnerships (local and international) 
• emergency appeals and corporate charity events
• annual donations

Corporate social responsibility involves the integration of social and environmental considerations into a company’s business strategy and operations. It enables companies to act responsibly towards stakeholders and helps to reduce reputational risk.

By including a charity partnership in your corporate social responsibility strategy, your business can make a positive social and/or environmental impact and deepen your engagement with customers, employees and investors.

Customers are increasingly aware of the importance of corporate social responsibility and research confirms that the majority now prefer to buy from businesses that operate in an ethical manner. 

Companies that pursue high standards of corporate social responsibility can derive many benefits, including increased brand recognition and favourability, cost savings, increased customer loyalty and higher levels of staff engagement and retention.

Workplace giving programs enable staff to make regular donations to a charity or charities from their pre-tax salary. In many cases, employers agree to match the donations made by their employees, potentially leading to higher staff engagement. 

In order to access the benefits of pre-tax giving, donations must be made to charitable organisations that have Deductible Gift Recipient status. Some workplace giving programs include volunteering, pro-bono work and fundraising events alongside payroll giving.

Workplace giving is a simple and tax-effective way for employees to support their favourite charity or charities. By donating regularly from their pre-tax salary, employees gain immediate tax benefits and eliminate the need to collect receipts or claim deductions at the end of the financial year.  

Companies that offer a workplace giving program often see higher levels of staff engagement and retention and a greater sense of pride in the workplace. By demonstrating their commitment to social responsibility, companies can also build their reputation as an employer of choice.

For charities, workplace giving simplifies the management of corporate donations, contributing to a reduction in administration costs and more funds available to support their mission.

Strong employee engagement is essential for business success. When your employees are engaged they bring more passion and energy to their role and show a greater commitment to achieving your company’s goals. They are more willing to stay longer and work harder.

One of the most effective ways of increasing employee engagement is by ensuring they have opportunities to find greater meaning in coming to work each day, beyond delivering against business targets. A culture of social initiative and generosity in your workplace can help motivate, unite and empower your staff. Through business charity partnerships, you can demonstrate to your staff that your company is committed to making the world a better place. And you can engage them in fundraising and volunteering opportunities that build their skills, encourage creativity and increase collaboration.

Cause marketing aligns a brand with a charitable cause that can produce both business profits and social benefits. Examples of cause marketing include brand-led public awareness campaigns on health or social issues, licensing of charity trademarks for use on product packaging, sales and promotions, and requests for donations at point of sale.

The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is an initiative of Reconciliation Australia that provides organisations with a framework to support the national reconciliation movement. Australian companies are encouraged to develop a RAP that includes actions they will take to contribute to reconciliation both internally and in the communities in which they operate.

Including a partnership with a charity working to improve socio-economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, such as World Vision Australia, is a practical way for your company to demonstrate its commitment to reconciliation.