How to get donations from companies in 5 steps

A relationship with a business, whether a national corporation or a hometown favorite, can spark a level of momentum your nonprofit can feel immediately. 

The right partner can unlock new donors, rally volunteers, amplify your message, and provide both monetary and in-kind support that helps you make a bigger impact. And many companies want to get involved, since giving back strengthens their reputation, builds employee pride, and deepens their connection to the community.

This guide shows you how to get donations from companies by helping you pinpoint your best prospects, craft standout asks, and build lasting relationships that continue fueling your work for years to come.

Key takeaways 

• Opt for warm leads over cold asks 🔥 Increase your chances of receiving donations by leveraging the relationships you already have.
• Do your homework 📚 Before reaching out, review each company’s financial standing and philanthropic history to understand what they can realistically give.
• Lead with the benefits 🎁 Explain the unique advantages of partnering with your organization—whether that’s social media shoutouts, special ad placement, or something else entirely. 
• Always follow up 🔄 A few days to a week after your initial request, reach back out. Call your contact, send follow-up emails, or request an in-person meeting.
• Show appreciation and nurture the relationship 💛 Always thank companies immediately, show the impact of their gift, and focus on building a long-term partnership.
• Do it all with Givebutter 🧈 With tools for personalized donation requests, a nonprofit CRM to track your connections, and more, Givebutter makes it easier than ever to find, connect with, and cultivate corporate partnerships.

How to get donations from companies 

Looking for a matching gift donor, an exciting raffle prize, or a sponsorship for your big fundraising event? How about helpful resources like financial services, meeting space, or some extra marketing power? Follow these steps to win over companies and secure the support you need. 

1. Research and shortlist companies 🔍

Building a list of potential corporate donors can feel overwhelming, but there’s a simple place to start: the relationships you already have.

While large companies like Coca-Cola, Disney, and Walmart do offer company giving programs, these programs are also more competitive. Local small businesses, on the other hand, receive fewer donation requests, are invested in bettering the community, and are more likely to know your mission or someone connected to your organization.

A company could be a good match if:

• Their mission and values align with yours.
• They have a positive reputation in the community.
• They serve a similar audience or demographic.
• They donate to other organizations in your sector.
• They participate in other philanthropic or community-focused activities.

Dive into your professional and social networks to find prospects. Think about the vendors you buy from, your bank, your insurance agent, and other local businesses you regularly interact with. Whenever possible, seek out a staff member you can approach personally and directly at each company.

Find your next big donor

Explore popular companies that donate to nonprofits →

2. Craft your donation request ✉️

A successful request strikes the right balance between what your organization needs and what each company can realistically give. Maybe your year-end fundraiser could use a publicity boost, or your soccer club needs new equipment. Focus your ask on these priority projects.

Start by researching each company’s financial standing and philanthropic track record. Check out news headlines, press releases, and business reports.

Are they facing any economic challenges? Expanding or cutting back? What do they typically fund—and how much do they usually donate? Tailor your request accordingly.

Don’t start from scratch

Customize your donation request letter template →

3. Emphasize what you can offer 🎁

When writing your ask, think about what the company might need and how your organization can help. As Emily Kane Miller, Founder and CEO of Ethos Giving, explains,  

Not every corporation has a major gifts officer, so you may be talking to somebody who's in human resources or communications. Approach those conversations with a bit of empathy—someone in HR might be looking for employee engagement opportunities and volunteerism opportunities. That’s where you should focus. 

Top placement on your website and merchandise? Positive press and widespread recognition? Tax advantages? In essence, why should the business invest in your mission and your team?

Use your donation request letter to explain the unique benefits of starting a relationship with your organization. Address your letter to the point of contact at the company, and remember the golden rule of writing: “Show, don’t tell.”

Check out the examples below. Which one reads stronger?

Example A:

Since 2019, we’ve helped thousands of unemployed workers in the community get back on their feet. Your $50K donation will allow us to further that mission, expanding and promoting our services. Will you help us?

Example B:

Susan, since 2019, support from businesses like yours has helped us provide over 25,000 unemployed Springfield workers with benefits, job training, and a brighter future. Your $50K pledge would let us expand and promote our services—and your staffing firm—with paid media campaigns reaching 500,000 skilled workers. Will you join us in enriching our community?

Why B works better: It’s specific, connecting the nonprofit’s impact to the company’s interests. It’s clear and direct, giving concrete examples while positioning the partnership as a win for both sides.

Dive deeper

Learn how to ask for donations in a few simple steps →

4. Follow up like a pro ⏰

The most important step in requesting donations from companies is the follow-up. Allow time for your prospects to receive, consider, and discuss your proposal with their team. It’s best to assume you may not hear back quickly and have a plan for following up in a respectful but persistent manner.

A few days to a week after your initial request, reach out in one of the following ways:

• Call your point of contact
• Send follow-up emails
• Request an in-person meeting
• Message them via social media platforms like LinkedIn

Repeat positive points from your past conversations and share any new developments that could strengthen your cause. Be careful not to overwhelm your contact. After following up once, for example, you could set a pace of one message every one or two weeks. If your fundraising goal is time-sensitive, keep that front and center in your communications.

Customize your appeal

Download your free sponsorship proposal templates →

5. Show appreciation and maintain relationships 💛

A corporate relationship can quickly fizzle if there is no meaningful touchpoint after the donation. On the other hand, when nonprofit organizations take the time to express gratitude, they cultivate sustainable, long-term partnerships—and often unlock future funding. 

Sometimes with corporations, a check is cut, and there’s no deliverable owed. But nonprofits still need to follow up and say thank you,” says Emily. “As much as 70% of the partnerships that I've seen don't follow up if it isn't required. 

To build strong relationships with corporations, be sure to:

• Say thank you immediately 🙏 After receiving a donation, send a personalized thank you letter or have a leader from your nonprofit make a quick phone call. This will not only stand out, but will leave a positive, lasting impression.
  
• Show impact ⭐ Once you’ve used the funds, send donors clear evidence of impact—videos of beneficiaries, event pictures, testimonials, or a brief report.
  
• Check in regularly 👋 Touch base quarterly with updates about your progress and milestones so the relationship never goes cold.
  
• Deepen connections 🤝 Bring corporate partners right into the fold of your mission—connect on LinkedIn, invite them to events, and introduce them to your leadership or staff.

Streamline your company donation requests with Givebutter

Teaming up with the right company—whether it’s a one-time donation, event sponsorship, grant program, volunteer day, or some combination—can be tremendously valuable.

With tools for sending personalized donation requests via email and text, a fully featured CRM for tracking connections, and automated workflows and task management for keeping track of your to-dos, Givebutter makes it easier than ever to find, connect with, and cultivate company partnerships.

Sign up for your free Givebutter account and make getting donations from companies smooth as butter.

FAQs about how to request donations from businesses 

When should I reach out to companies for donations?

Nonprofits should reach out as early as possible with donation requests, since companies often plan donations and corporate sponsorships months in advance. 

It can also be helpful to reach out during times when corporations already expect giving, like around fiscal year planning (often in Q4) or peak giving seasons like Giving Tuesday.

More to explore

Explore the largest companies that match donations →

Who should I contact within a company for donations?

When asking companies for donations, reach out to the corporate social responsibility (CSR), community relations, or workplace giving manager, if the company has a dedicated corporate philanthropy department. For smaller businesses without formal giving programs, contact the owner, CEO, or marketing director.

Use LinkedIn to find the right contact or call a business directly and ask who you should speak to.

How to get donations from companies online?

Check their website! Many companies have official company giving portals or online application systems—usually listed under CSR, Community, or About.

How to get product donations from companies?

To get product donations, target companies whose mission or customers align with your cause (e.g., food companies donating toward hunger relief). Explain how their contribution would create a meaningful impact.

Be sure to also mention exactly what benefits they’ll receive in return—like social media mentions, event shoutouts, or logo placement on event signage.

How to get donations from big companies?

Research their giving priorities through CSR reports and past donation announcements. Then tailor your request to their specific interest areas—some companies prioritize education, while others focus on environmental initiatives.

If you're not hearing back, don’t get discouraged—large companies receive a lot of requests. In the meantime, look to businesses in your local community for quicker support.