How corporate philanthropy works (& real examples)

Corporate support can be one of the most reliable and often overlooked sources of nonprofit funding. Many companies want to give back, engage their employees, and support causes that align with their values. The challenge for nonprofits lies in understanding how it actually works, what companies look for, and how to tap into these opportunities without overcomplicating the process.

This guide breaks down what corporate philanthropy really looks like today, how it differs from corporate social responsibility (CSR) and workplace giving, and the many ways companies support nonprofits beyond writing a check. You’ll also see real examples of nonprofits turning corporate generosity into meaningful, repeatable support, so you can confidently decide how (and where) to start.

Key takeaways

• Corporate philanthropy can be a win-win 🏆 Businesses benefit from positive PR, while nonprofits receive meaningful support.
• Businesses can give in more ways than cash 💰 Monetary donations are always helpful, but companies can also supply volunteers, pro bono services, or in-kind support.
• You don’t need to be a large nonprofit organization 💛 Small and local nonprofits are often ideal partners for businesses and can also tap into corporate giving programs.
• Start with your existing network 🤝 Reach out to your board members, donors, and community first for a warm introduction.
• Use Givebutter to streamline corporate philanthropy 🧈 Built-in matching donation features and fundraising tools make it easier to manage corporate support.

What is corporate philanthropy?

Corporate philanthropy refers to companies supporting nonprofit organizations and social causes through donations or structured giving programs.

Many companies contribute through monetary donations or grants, but corporate philanthropy can also include corporate foundations, matching gifts programs, volunteer initiatives, employee grant stipends, and in-kind donations.

Corporate philanthropy vs. CSR vs. workplace giving

With so many ways to support nonprofits, the language around corporate giving can feel confusing. Terms like corporate philanthropy, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and workplace giving often overlap, but what distinguishes them?

• Corporate philanthropy is the act of giving through donations or structured programs, including workplace giving initiatives.
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the broader strategy that governs how a business supports its community and advances environmental, social, or sustainability goals.
• Workplace giving enables employees to support good causes through their employer, often through payroll deductions, matching gifts, or volunteer programs.

One helpful way to think about these terms is to imagine a pyramid, with CSR at the top as the guiding strategy, corporate philanthropy beneath it supporting that strategy through giving, and workplace giving as a sub-section within corporate philanthropy.

Types of corporate philanthropy 

Corporate philanthropy goes far beyond receiving a check in the mail or seeing funds appear in your bank account. Large corporations and small businesses alike use a variety of methods to maximize their impact. Below are some of the most common types.

Monetary donations

1. Cash donations 💵 The most popular giving method, cash donations can consist of one-time gifts, recurring payments, and reimbursements for specific expenses.
2. Corporate sponsorships 💝 Companies partner with nonprofits to provide financial support in exchange for association with events, campaigns, programs, or initiatives.
3. Donation matching 🎁 Employers offer matching gift programs, often matching donations dollar-for-dollar up to a set amount or within a specific timeframe.
4. Automatic payroll deductions 💸 Employees donate a portion of every paycheck automatically through their company.
5. Annual giving 🎆 Companies pledge to donate a set amount each year or host an annual giving event to support a chosen charity.

Grants & scholarships

6. Employee grant stipends 💰 Employees are given a monthly or annual stipend that they can donate to a cause of their choice.
7. Community grants 🏗️ Companies award financial support to local nonprofits or community-based projects that align with their goals and values.
8. Scholarships 🎓 Businesses invest in future generations by creating scholarship programs or contributing to existing educational funds.

In-kind support

9. In-kind donations 🛍️ Instead of cash, companies provide non-monetary donations such as products, services, or resources.
10. Pro bono services 💼 Businesses offer professional services or expertise to nonprofits at no cost.

Volunteering

11. Paid volunteering 🎉 Companies pay employees to volunteer their time with nonprofit organizations.
12. Volunteer time off programs 📆 Employees can volunteer during work hours instead of using personal time.
13. Volunteer grants 💳 Employers provide grants to the organizations where their employees volunteer.

Other collaborations

14. Cause-based partnerships 📣 Businesses and nonprofits collaborate on mutually-beneficial cause marketing campaigns to raise funds, build awareness, and support shared goals.
15. Corporate foundations 🏢 These are private foundations or public charities established and managed by a company’s representatives or partners.

Each company’s level of involvement can vary widely. Some may contribute a one-time raffle prize for a fundraising event, while others become long-term partners of your nonprofit. 

The benefits of corporate philanthropy

Corporate giving needs to create value for both sides to be worthwhile, especially when time, money, and resources are limited. 

Benefits for companies

For businesses that engage in corporate philanthropy, the benefits extend beyond generosity to reputation, talent acquisition, and long-term impact.

• Stronger brand recognition and goodwill 🌟 Paying it forward allows companies to enhance their public image and differentiate themselves from competitors.
• Attracting talented employees 💪 A visible commitment to corporate social responsibility helps attract the right talent, as 86% of employees say it’s important to work for a company whose values align with their own. 
• Higher levels of employee engagement 📈 Corporate philanthropy doesn’t just attract talented people; it keeps them engaged and invested in their work. 
• More business opportunities 🛍️ Research shows that 80% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable goods.
• Opportunity to influence social change 🌎 Business leaders often experience a strong sense of purpose and personal fulfillment from contributing to important causes. 

Benefits for nonprofit organizations

For nonprofits, corporate philanthropy can unlock increased funding, stable revenue, and stronger community engagement.

• Additional financial support 💲 Nonprofits can access larger one-time donations and sponsorships from businesses.
• More predictable revenue 📊 Organizations can build reliable income streams through payroll giving and other workplace giving initiatives.
• Greater awareness of your campaign 🌎 Corporate sponsors can attract media attention, drive traffic to your fundraising pages, and attract new supporters.
• Higher levels of community trust 🤝 Association with a reputable business can increase credibility and build trust in your mission.
• Access to volunteers and expertise 🧠 Networks of skilled employees and corporate partners can provide much-needed support to expand nonprofit impact.
• Increased donations from other sources 🎁 The majority of donors say they’re more likely to give when they know a company will match their donation, and one-third will increase their gift if an employer match is offered.
• Faster progress toward fundraising goals 🚀 Corporate support can help nonprofits reach fundraising targets quickly without relying solely on individual donors.

Dive deeper

Secure more corporate sponsorships with these proven tips →

5 corporate philanthropy examples from real nonprofits 

These real-world examples of philanthropy in business show how small or local nonprofits can use corporate giving to exceed their fundraising goals.

1. Mentors for Youth #GivingTuesday 2025 🎒

For GivingTuesday, Mentors for Youth of Dubois County partnered with Best Home Furnishings on an incredible gift-matching campaign. Their corporate sponsor agreed to match gifts up to $3.5K, helping the organization double the impact of individual donations.

🏆 Raised: $7.5K & counting

🤝 Type of corporate philanthropy: Matching gifts, corporate sponsorship

2. McCallum Blue Brigade 🥁

The McCallum Blue Brigade drill team has supported their high school and the Austin community for over 50 years. In 2025, they used Givebutter to offer businesses an easy way to become sponsors. Companies could choose from silver, gold, or platinum sponsorships directly from the fundraising page, without navigating a complicated process.

🏆 Raised: 283% of their funding goal at $8.5K & counting

🤝 Type of corporate philanthropy: Business sponsorship

3. SWFHR Par 4 The Horse 🐎

This fundraising event, organized by South West Florida Horse Rescue (SWFHR), secured a title sponsor and sold out additional sponsorship spots for items such as the trophy, bar cart, and swag bags. These partnerships alone enabled them to raise $6.7K before individual donations were even factored in.

🏆 Raised: $23.6K

🤝 Type of corporate philanthropy: Business sponsorship

4. Downtown Harrisonburg Holiday Gift Shopping Guide 🛍️

To support local businesses and raise funds, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance partnered with a corporate sponsor to create a holiday gift guide. Philanthropic efforts like this can offset production and material costs while increasing visibility for nonprofits and their partners. 

🏆 Raised: $600 from guide sponsorship

🤝 Type of corporate philanthropy: Business sponsorship

5. Mountain Mentors ⛰️

Mountain Mentors supports low-income families in Lucas and Wood counties of Ohio. They recently partnered with CVS Pharmacy on a grant-matching campaign in which CVS matched the first $5K, doubling the value of individual charitable contributions.

🏆 Raised: $5.1K (plus up to $5K in matching funds)

🤝 Type of corporate philanthropy: Gift matching

Find your next sponsor

Get started with this list of companies that donate to nonprofits →

How to get started with corporate philanthropy

Corporate philanthropy can make a massive difference for charitable organizations, but it often begins with small, strategic actions. Here’s how to take your first steps with corporate giving.

1. Approach your network for support 👋

One of the easiest ways to secure your first corporate sponsor is by starting with your existing network. Talk to people close to your cause and ask directly whether they or their employers can get involved.

Look at opportunities already on your radar where a business could contribute, such as donating raffle prizes or supporting a capital campaign.

2. Promote matching gifts 🎁

As you explore new corporate partnerships, see whether potential partners are interested in establishing a matching gift program, or reach out to companies that offer donation matching. 

Encourage donors to take advantage of matching gifts by highlighting the option on your giving forms. Givebutter makes this easy with built-in donation matching software and seamless Double the Donation integration.

3. Join existing corporate giving programs 💰

Many companies that offer workplace giving programs or broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives also provide charitable support in other ways. Being listed as an eligible organization can open the door to additional corporate giving opportunities.

4. Promote volunteering opportunities 💚

Volunteer programs allow businesses to support nonprofits without an immediate financial commitment, making them a great entry point for building relationships. 

Make it easy for employees to get involved with a clear how-to guide and volunteer day ideas.

5. Seek sponsors for an event 🎉

Small events often attract sponsors and can be an ideal way to form partnerships with local businesses. Start with a single event, then build toward longer-term sponsorships across multiple campaigns or initiatives. 

Identify upcoming events that could benefit from a sponsor, or propose a co-created event. Clearly outline what the business would receive in return, such as promotion or brand visibility, and submit a compelling sponsorship proposal.

Dive deeper

Explore top tips on how to get donations from companies →

Corporate philanthropy best practices

Building successful corporate partnerships takes time, but following these best practices can give you a strong foundation: 

• Choose potential business sponsors wisely 🕵️ Weigh the pros and cons of each opportunity, confirm alignment with your mission and values, and consider any reputational risks before you proceed.
• Send personalized sponsorship outreach ✍️ Craft thoughtful, customized letters or requests for support that reflect a genuine desire for working together.
• Check in with warm contacts 🤝 Contact existing connections by phone or offer to meet for coffee to prioritize long-term relationship building.
• Ensure the partnership benefits your nonprofit 🔍 Review contracts, project details, and expectations to confirm your nonprofit benefits from the collaboration—not just the business.
• Use tools that simplify corporate giving 🧰 Invest in affordable technology that streamlines giving, like Givebutter’s matching donations feature.
• Create partnership guardrails 📝 Establish guidelines that help your team accept or decline partnership requests based on mission alignment, capacity, and goals.

Capture more corporate philanthropy opportunities with Givebutter

Corporate philanthropy isn’t reserved for large, national nonprofits with dedicated partnership teams. With the right approach, it can become a steady, repeatable part of your fundraising mix. Strategic partnerships can support events, campaigns, and lasting relationships with businesses in your local community and beyond.

What matters most is clarity and follow-through: a strong mission, clear opportunities for companies to get involved, and systems that make giving simple for everyone. Givebutter helps nonprofits manage corporate philanthropy behind the scenes with tools for pledges, matching gifts, and donor data, so you can focus on building relationships.

Whether you’re exploring your first corporate partnership or looking to scale what’s already working, Givebutter gives you the flexibility to capture more opportunities without adding complexity. 

Sign up for Givebutter today to create a better corporate philanthropy experience for your nonprofit and your community.

FAQs about corporate philanthropy

What companies offer corporate philanthropy programs?

Many well-known examples of corporate philanthropy programs include Apple, Google, Microsoft, Walmart, Disney, and The Home Depot. Beyond these, thousands of smaller companies support nonprofits through corporate philanthropy programs.

What is business philanthropy?

Business philanthropy is the practice of companies supporting nonprofits or social causes through structured giving, such as donations, grants, matching gifts, sponsorships, or employee-led programs. The term is often used interchangeably with corporate philanthropy and highlights the role businesses play in creating positive impact beyond their core products or services.

Does corporate philanthropy exclude any non-cash donations?

No, corporate philanthropy includes many forms of non-monetary support, such as in-kind donations, pro bono services, and volunteer programs.

What are the current trends in corporate philanthropy?

Current trends in corporate philanthropy include a shift toward long-term strategic campaigns that enable nonprofits and businesses to achieve greater impact together. Others are investing in technology to streamline giving processes, such as donation matching, and creating opportunities for employees to contribute their skills and time to nonprofit organizations.

How common is corporate philanthropy?

Corporate giving is widespread among both large corporations and small businesses. More than 65% of Fortune 500 companies offer matching gift programs, and many more participate through event sponsorship, in-kind support, and volunteering.

Is corporate philanthropy only for large nonprofits?

Not at all. Corporate philanthropy is accessible to nonprofits of all sizes. Many companies actively support small and mid-sized organizations, especially at the local level, through sponsorships, matching gifts, volunteer programs, and community grants.