Most businesses know what cause marketing is. Moreover, they see cause marketing as a legitimate part of the marketing mix. It's no longer "What is cause marketing?" but rather "What is our cause marketing strategy?"

Still, businesses are hesitant to ask nonprofits direct questions about the value of a partnership to their business. They handle nonprofits with kid gloves, which is kind, generous and appropriate! But that shouldn't stop businesses from getting to the bottom of the bottom-line benefits of a nonprofit partnership.

Here are three questions every business should ask a nonprofit.

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Clark Sweat, Chief Revenue Officer at Children's Miracle Network (CMN), about CMN's incredible success with checkout charity. 

On the show, Megan, Clark and I discuss...

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Jon Olinto, co-founder of b.good, a Boston-based all-natural burger and food chainchain of farm-to-table burgers and fries joints with 54 locations up and down the east coast, about how his b.good leverages every aspect of its business to support the local community.

On the show, Megan, Jon and I discuss...

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Alison DaSilva, Executive Vice President, Cone Communications, about their latest study, the Cone Communications 2017 CSR Study.  This year’s research shows that consumers care about CSR more than ever, with 89% of Americans saying they would switch brands to one associated with a good cause.

In addition, the tumultuous past year has only convinced consumers more that businesses need to be a force for change in society. The question is no longer What do you stand for? but What do you stand up for?

On the show, Megan, Alison and I discuss...

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I speak to Cia Tucci, Vice President of CVS Health’s Store Brands and Quality Assurance Department, about the brands recent decision to remove potentially dangerous ingredients from their line of personal care products.

On the show, Megan, Cia and I discuss...

If you haven't checked out the 2017 America's Charity Checkout Champions report, it's a must-read for anyone in the cause marketing space.

Congratulations to the Engage for Good team for putting together such an outstanding resource!

Pouring over the report, I came away with seven key takeaways for cause marketers. These should help you navigate and understand the report - and apply its lessons!

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Pete Brace, Vice President of Pet Parent Relations & Communications for Merrick Pet Care, a leader in natural and organic pet food, about their 3-year partnership with K9s for Warriors. Merrick Pet Care is making a difference in the lives of vets with PTSD!

On the show, Megan, Pete and I discuss...

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to A. J. Petitti, President of Petitti's Garden Centers, a 8-store chain based in Ohio, about their partnership and support for Cleveland Clinic's Children's Hospital.

The program has consistently raised over $100,000 thanks to an enthusiastic team at Petitti's stores and matching gift support from Scotts Miracle-Gro.

On the show, Megan, A. J. and I discuss...

Last week I spoke at the annual Engage for Good Conference in Chicago on how nonprofits can dramatically increase their cause marketing success with content marketing. I built my presentation around this definition of what content marketing for cause marketing is:

Creating consistent, interesting and useful content that builds a loyal audience. Over time, you can monetize this audience in a number of ways, including through win-win partnerships with companies (aka cause marketing).

To help nonprofits of every size, expertise and budget, I outlined three strategic approaches for using content marketing for cause marketing...

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Sarah Delea, President of the Mondelez International Foundation (MIF) on the impact and results from its school and community-based gardening programs on five continents.

MIF is the giving arm of Mondelez International, a world leader in biscuits, chocolate, gum, candy and powdered beverages, featuring global Power Brands such as Oreo and Trident gum. 

On the show, Megan and I discuss...

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Kari Pendoley, head of the Rodan + Fields Prescription for Change Foundation, the giving arm of skincare brand Rodan + Fields, about their charitable work with empowerment organizations and upcoming #GoNaked fundraiser. 

On the show, Megan, Kari and I discuss...

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Alison McArthur, Community Achieves Coordinator for Metro Nashville Public Schools about the The Whirlpool Care Counts laundry program.

Whirlpool is fighting against education inequality by installing washers and dryers in schools to remove this barrier to attendance, and give students the confidence they need and deserve to get through class each day.

On the show, Megan, Alison and I discuss...

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Jeremy McGilvrey, an entrepreneur, author and trainer who's amassed a massive audience on Instagram. Jeremy is here to share his advice on how causes can use the Internet's hottest property to recruit and engage supporters and to raise money. 

On the show, Megan, Jeremy and I discuss...

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan I talk to....each other! Don't worry. We're sure you'll enjoy it because we're belatedly celebrating the show's 200th show with a look back at our favorite episodes of CauseTalk Radio.

Here are the must-listen shows that Megan and I picked...

Nonprofit websites often lack the content businesses are looking for to move them through the sales funnel from awareness to consideration to partnership.  

Fortunately, I ran across a great nonprofit web site that has a lot of the content a potential business partner would look for from a nonprofit partner. I was impressed, and you will be too!

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Peter Zandee, U. S. Sales Manager, Tony's Chocolonely, about their efforts to fight child slavery in the chocolate industry in West Africa.

On the show, Megan, Peter and I discuss...

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I are talking to Erich Marx, Director of Marketing, Nissan North America, about their participation in Habitat for Humanity's new cause marketing platform Home is the Key.

This month, Nissan is aiming to raise $250,000 for Habitat by donating $1 for each time the hashtag #HomeistheKey is used online.

On the show, Megan, Erich and I discuss...

Tom Brady is living proof that you can't be good at everything. And what does Tom suck at? Philanthropy. It's like he went to Trump University and learned at the foot of the master himself.

Sunday's Boston Globe reported that Tom Brady's charity, The Change the World Foundation has received $3.25 in payments from Best Buddies International, a charity that Brady has reportedly raised $46.5 million for since 2001.

What's wrong with this? Everything.