💚 Size Doesn't Matter, Trust Me!

Hey ,

Running an impact organisation is tough.

Whether it’s a charity/non-profit, a social enterprise or a community organisation; the impact that we want to create sits at the very core of what we do. It’s personal for us and the desire to truly make a difference runs deep.

This is why we shouldn’t embark on or walk this journey alone. Supporting each other and collaborating is how we can get even further! The main reason I am creating this community is to create the support I didn’t have initially.

Navigating all of this was an absolute minefield for me at the start and I didn’t have many examples to lean on. I burnt through money, time and relationships trying to set up my organisation and mentally burnt out a lot in the process.

Moving forward, I’d love for this to be easier for us. Despite what’s happening economically and politically; I want all of you to know that there’s a community here that you can tap into, learn from and find support in.

Here’s what you can expect in this issue:

• Shadow to Shine x COS - An example of a great corporate partnership that connected youth from underrepresented backgrounds to the world of fashion; and my assessment of why this partnership worked.

• Have a voice! How to position yourself as a thought leader in your area and attract corporate companies to work with you.

• Does size matter? The quick answer to this is no! I debunk a common myth about corporate partnerships and the idea that only large and established organisations can benefit.

• The importance of ESG - Despite the backlash it’s been getting in the United States, ESG in an important business practice you should know about as a Founder/CEO.

Let’s get started ⬇️

Let’s break down an example of a successful corporate partnership!

Shadow to Shine is a charity that provides mentoring and work placements to young people in London and other inner cities in the UK.

Last summer, they collaborated with the fashion brand, COS over four weeks to introduce students with an interest in fashion to their brand. This was in the form of an employability programme designed to offer insight and spark inspiration into different areas where they can start their careers in the global fashion business.

Why does this work?

⚡Aligned goals and outcomes: Shadow to Shine provides work placements for young people and COS would like to develop the next generation of talent into their business and diversify where they get this talent from, it’s best to start young!

Let’s talk about thought leadership.

In the above image, I contributed to a piece for a professional association in my industry, to talk about the area of focus for my organisation. In case you were curious, you can read it here. Not only was it a fantastic way for people to learn about me, my experience and what my organisation does; but it had a very specific audience, who are my ideal clients.

Simply put, being seen as an expert brings credibility to your organisation. Companies want to team up with organisations that have a strong reputation and really know their stuff. By showing off your knowledge and experience, you're making a case for why your organisation is the perfect partner.

Plus, being a thought leader gets you noticed! When businesses are on the hunt for new partners, they'll be drawn to organisations with a strong presence in their field. If your organisation, is out there, getting attention and making a difference, it's more likely to catch the eye of potential partners.

But it's not just about getting attention. These days, businesses want to make a real impact on the world, just like you do. When they see your non-profit leading the charge on a cause that's close to their hearts, they'll be more excited to team up with you and make a difference together.

It’s also about building trust. Companies want to know that their partnership is in good hands, and seeing your organisation as an expert in the field goes a long way toward building that trust. Show off your expertise and innovative ideas, and businesses will feel confident that you're the right partner for them.

Have you ever found yourself feeling a little jealous when you see those well-known non-profits landing huge partnerships worth millions?

It's easy to think that your small, community-based organisation can't compete.

But hold on – size doesn’t matter! Larger corporations sometimes prefer to partner with smaller ones because they know their support will make a real difference. The key is to clearly communicate what makes your organisation unique, what kind of help you're looking for in a partnership and how you’ve been measuring your impact to date.

This is how I was able to partner with Aviva Investors through my organisation, The Land Collective - along with many others!

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is essentially a scorecard that evaluates how a company affects the world around it, the planet, and how open and responsible it is about its actions. All over the world, large companies are now highly encouraged to report on the impact of their business and not just on profit. People want to know how they are giving back and delivering good business. Despite some of the ESG backlash in the United States, this is still an important area of business to look into.

You can start by searching for a company that you’re interested in and having a look at their ESG or Sustainability report, you’ll find a lot of information about what that company is currently prioritising in terms of impact, which can help you position yourself as a potential partner.

As an example, let’s look at Sage, a FTSE 100 technology company that specialises in accounting software.

Through their most recent ESG report, you can see some of the key areas they are focusing on as a business to make a difference and more importantly, if they are on track to hit their targets or not. These reports are also a more efficient way of finding key people and names in an organisation, so you know who to contact regarding follow-ups and pitching.

📚 Time To Think by Nancy Kline: We’ve heard it a million times: "Be a better listener!" But do we really get why it matters so much? And even if we do, how exactly are we supposed to pull it off? Nancy Kline nails it in her book, which is all about the art of listening. It’s like chatting with a good friend who knows their stuff and really cares. The best part? Her advice is practical, and she shares techniques that you can actually use in real life. It’s a gem, seriously.

🎧 Corporate Partnerships with Duro Oyé on the CharityChat Podcast: Duro shares his story in building his charity 20/20 Levels. Around 12:00, he discusses how he built his initial programme and assessed different funding models to fund his charity. After falling through with grants from foundations and trusts, he found his place with corporate sponsorships initially starting with CONVERSE, Virgin Media and O2.

If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it on to others who are Impact Champs too! Also, I’d love to learn more about you and what your organisation is doing; so please respond with a line or two about what you do! 💚

Speak soon!