Non – for – profit franchise financing: Sources of Information on Corporate Giving
Corporate 500: The Directory of Corporate Philanthropy. San Francisco: datarex corporation [sic].
Corporate Foundation Profiles. New York: The Foundation Center.
Corporate Giving Directory. Detroit: The Taft Group.
Directory of International Corporate Giving in America and Abroad. Detroit: The Taft Group.
National Directory of Corporate Giving. New York: The Foundation Center.
National Directory of Corporate Public Affairs. Washington, D.C.: Columbia Books, Inc.
Keep in mind: Corporations may give by means of a company-sponsored foundation (in which case they file Form 990-PF, as other private foundations do) or by means of a separate corporate giving program (in which case it may be more difficult to get information), or both.
Corporate giving is almost always limited to programs of benefit to employees, their families, or residents of specific locations where the company conducts business. Geography plays a significant role in corporate grantmaking. Employee matching gift programs are increasingly common vehicles for giving.
Cash donations are not the only type of corporate support. Ask yourself: Can the project be handled as a business expense rather than a grant? Would in-kind support such as the donation of equipment, use of corporate facilities, printing, design services, or access to executive expertise be helpful to my nonprofit organization?
When approaching corporate grantmakers, always consider the self-interest of the funder. A proposal to a corporation should emphasize how its support of your project will help it achieve its goals.
Corporate Philanthropy Report and Corporate Giving Watch are two useful periodicals for keeping up to date on corporate giving.