Are you part of a small nonprofit, grassroots group, or volunteer-led organization looking to grow meaningful, mission-aligned relationships with corporate partners - but don’t know where to start?
You’re not alone. Many small organizations feel overwhelmed by the idea of pitching to businesses or unsure how to move beyond one-time sponsorships. But the truth is, corporate partnerships don’t have to be transactional - they can be transformational.
Join us for Building Better Corporate Partnerships, an interactive, hands-on workshop designed specifically for organizations with limited resources and big ambitions. Whether you’re a staff member juggling multiple roles, a board member helping out with fundraising, or a dedicated volunteer trying to build connections, this session is for you.
We’ll focus on two critical and practical components of partnership development:
Communicating Your Value: What You Bring to the Table
To build meaningful corporate partnerships, you need more than a feel-good story—you need a clear, compelling value proposition. This session will help you cut through the noise and define what makes your organization stand out from the rest.
You’ll explore:
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How to identify your nonprofit’s core strengths and assets—from community reach to audience trust
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Ways to translate your mission into corporate-aligned language, connecting to things like employee engagement, ESG goals, and brand alignment
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What belongs on your “Partnership Menu”—concrete options like sponsorship, in-kind support, or shared campaigns
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How to tailor your ask to match what companies actually care about, ensuring mutual value from the start
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Practice telling your story through a corporate lens, using both head (data) and heart (narrative) to make your case
This is about stepping into partnership conversations with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
Designing Meaningful Engagement: Beyond the Cheque
Great partnerships don’t stop at the donation. This session focuses on how to involve corporate partners in ways that deepen the relationship, deliver real value, and align with your mission.
You’ll explore:
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Tangible engagement strategies that go beyond financial support—like skills-based volunteering, employee giving, and shared storytelling
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How to co-create initiatives that work for both you and your corporate partner
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Creative, realistic approaches that work in small-shop contexts—no big budgets needed
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Ways to embed partners into your story, creating visibility and connection on both sides
You’ll walk away with practical ideas for bringing partners into your mission in ways that matter—and last.
What You Can Expect
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Collaborative breakouts and peer feedback to strengthen your strategy
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Real-world examples of what works (and what doesn’t) in small nonprofit corporate engagement
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Guided activities and templates you can take back to your team
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Insights into how to measure and communicate impact to keep partners engaged over time
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A supportive, no-judgment space that welcomes all experience levels
Live Panel: Real Talk with Corporate Partners
Hear directly from corporate leaders who actively partner with nonprofits across our region. They’ll share what motivates their support, how they decide who to work with, and what keeps them coming back. You’ll gain insider insight into what matters most from the corporate side—and get a chance to ask your own questions.
Panelists include:
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To be announced
About the Facilitators
Melanie C. Riley
Vice President, Resource Development & Member Services, Pillar Nonprofit Network
Melanie Riley is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 25 years of experience and a track record of securing more than $30 million for mission-driven organizations. She leads resource development and membership at Pillar, supporting over 3,000 nonprofits across Southwestern Ontario. Known for her strategic and collaborative approach, Melanie is also a founding board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, London & Region Chapter. Outside of work, Melanie volunteers in her son’s sports and scouting activities and is passionate about community building.
Lindsay McDermott
Founder & CEO, McDermott Group Consulting
Lindsay McDermott is a dynamic fundraising professional with two decades of experience working with community-based organizations to uncover strategic alignment with funders and secure sustainable revenue that generates transformational outcomes. Leading with empathy and intention, Lindsay builds authentic and lasting relationships with donors, clients and colleagues. Lindsay fills her cup with travel, family, music, friendships and the great outdoors.
