Newsletter: Round-Ups are Dominating POS Fundraising🥇; Ditch the Script to Close More Partnerships ✍️ ; You Need More Marketers on Your Board🕺
Soon, I'm recording my new presentation on AI and partnerships for the Corporate Partnerships Conference (CPC24) on Thursday, March 21st.
Today, I'll preview my preso and give you a chance to contribute a partnership prompt that everyone can benefit from knowing.
✌️ My presentation is centered on my own Partnership Solicitation Process Map and ChatGPT. There are many other AI tools out there, but I'm only focusing on ChatGPT because I think it's the best tool for newbies.
During my presentation, I'll show you how AI can help at each stage of the partnership process. This is super-practical advice that will change your work life!
I'll also be sharing another AI tool to try - that's even better than ChatGPT in one critical way - and a great resource that will make you a prompt ninja! 🥷
Finally, I'll share a bunch of AI prompts [Prompt = Input. Just like the questions you type into a Google search bar] for partnership pros. I could use your help!
Here's an example prompt:
My prospect’s three main business objectives are <a, b, c>. My nonprofit can help them in these areas (x, y, z). Write three compelling bullets aligning our offerings to their objectives.
👉🏻 👉🏻 Do you have a partnership prompt that's been effective on ChatGPT? I'd love to include it in the one-pager I'll be sharing of helpful AI prompts for partnership pros!
Just reply to this email and share away!
🚨 🚨 And there's still time to sign up for the Corporate Partnerships Conference at a great price. If you enter SELFISH15 at checkout, you'll save an additional 15%!
Joe, I want a robot partnership intern
✍️ Partnership Notes
1. This NPR article discusses the success of point-of-sale programs and round-ups. It also includes some nice graphs you can steal - which the reporter stole from Engage for Good - so don't feel bad.
Why POS, round-up programs are so wicked awesome
Reports of POS's death are greatly exaggerated. In 2022 alone, charities raised $749 million nationwide through point-of-sale, a 24% jump from 2020.
Consumers don't hate POS asks. A Children's Miracle Network poll showed that of the 88% of respondents who reported being asked to donate at checkout in the previous year, more than half said yes at least once.
Those quarters, nickels, and dimes add up. Last year, Taco Bell collected $42 million on round-ups from its more than 7,500 restaurants across the U.S. The average donation was just 44 cents.
Consumers prefer round-ups. Research showed that Taco Bell customers were three times more likely to round-up than to donate a dollar.
Round-ups have a psychological edge. When consumers are asked to round up, the perceived pain of parting with their money is less pronounced. Consumers also like seeing round numbers on their receipts!
2. A good slide for your pitch deck. Almost half of U.S. consumers say brand reputation is more important than price.
3. You need to ditch the script to close more partnerships.
Instead, tell an authentic story in three steps
Identify their main problem. When companies hear from nonprofits, they don't expect them to tackle a business pain point. Surprise them by being useful and inspiring.
Identify sub-problems. What else are they struggling with? Difficulty attracting young people? Low employee morale? Lacking a competitive edge that goes beyond product and price?
Offer a solution. Show them how their struggles are similar to those you've helped solve. Share case studies to prove it!
🤑 Marketing Your Cause
1. Social media is great for awareness, but maybe not so great for raising money.
2. This is a must-read from Rand Fishkin. Email is the most consistent, reliable marketing channel on the web...and he can prove it.
3. You need more marketers on your board.
😎 Cool Jobs In Cause
1. Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC
2. Director, Corporate Initiatives, Alzheimer's Association, San Diego ($125k-$150k)
3. Associate Director, Corporate Partnerships, The ALS Association, Remote ($75k-$85k)
4. Re-Opened: Manager, Strategic Corporate Partnerships, Crossroads4Hope, New Jersey ($55k-$65k)
🧠🍌 Brain Food
1. This is an excellent article everyone should read. We pretend to live at "peak civilization" with our medical miracles, same-day delivery, iPhones, and international travel. But we've sold our souls to work, busyness, and hustle. And for what?
A key measure of progress is how much quality leisure time it rewards us with.
“If you are losing your leisure, look out! -- It may be you are losing your soul.”
― Virginia Woolf
2. A new search engine that benefits just two charities - and one of them is Humane Society International.
3. My favorite ice cream is...on the "endangered" list?? Say it isn't true! Please help.
Thanks for reading this week! As always, let me know if you have any questions or if I can be helpful in any way.
