Big Things Can Happen: Do Not Give Up on Corporate Donors

You work in the nonprofit sector and so you’ve likely heard (and felt) the concern: will changes in the tax landscape and broader economic uncertainty cause companies to pull back on charitable giving?

It’s a fair question. Corporate leaders are navigating shifting conditions, from tax law changes to market pressures, and in some cases, companies are re-evaluating how and where they give. Headlines about reductions or restructuring in corporate philanthropy can add to the uncertainty.

But here’s the important takeaway: this is not the time to step back from corporate donors. In fact, it’s exactly the time to lean in.

Even as some companies adjust their formal giving programs, others are finding new ways to support communities, and often in significant ways. Case in point: Liberty Mutual Foundation announced a $600 million endowment to provide long-term, stable funding and increase its grantmaking beyond recent levels, offering nonprofits greater reliability and flexibility.

For nonprofits, it can be tempting to interpret changes in corporate giving as a signal to shift focus elsewhere. But doing so risks missing meaningful opportunities. Many corporate leaders continue to prioritize community investment, even if the structure looks different from what it did in the past. In some cases, large-scale gifts are still happening, just in ways that are more targeted, more strategic or more closely tied to a company’s mission and values.

Indeed, corporate philanthropy is not disappearing, it’s evolving. Behind every corporate gift decision is a group of individuals – executives, board members and employees – who still care deeply about making a difference. That’s why relationships matter more than ever. Remember, your organization’s relationships aren’t with the companies themselves; they’re with the people who work at those companies. Everything else flows from there.

Here’s how to take action now:

• Expand your stewardship list. Review your donor cultivation lists and make sure you’ve included not only each company generically, but also specific individuals who work at those companies. Corporate leaders and other employees involved must be on the stewardship list.
• Think beyond the “corporate hat.” Executives and employees are individuals, too! They wear many hats, including personal commitments to charitable causes. They’re likely involved in giving through multiple channels, including donor-advised funds, family foundations or personal philanthropy. A strong relationship with a corporate leader often can extend beyond the company itself, creating multiple avenues for support over time.
• Think outside the box. Now is not the time to get stuck in the past. The corporate engagement tools that got you where you are today are not the same tools that will get you where you need to go. Corporate donors will likely be looking for different types of partnerships than they did before. This could include supporting specific initiatives tied to measurable outcomes, engaging employees through volunteerism or matching gift programs, aligning charitable investments with business priorities, and exploring multi-year commitments that provide stability and impact.

As you build your organization’s endowment or reserve fund at the community foundation, our team is happy to serve as a sounding board, especially to help you and your colleagues stay focused on impact. If you’ve not yet established your organization’s endowment or reserve fund at IPCF, let’s talk! Many organizations find our services to be extremely helpful, ranging from investments to assistance with complex gifts and much more.

Even in times of change, the need for strong nonprofit organizations, and the work they do, does not diminish. Corporate donors understand this. Many are looking for trusted partners who can deliver meaningful results and help them make a difference in the communities where they operate.

The bottom line? Don’t rule out a strong corporate fundraising program! Instead, continue building relationships, stay engaged, and share stories of impact. Even in a changing landscape, big things can still happen—and often do—when the right connections are in place.

This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting or financial planning advice.