I'm really excited to once again be a part of Corporate Partnerships Everywhere (CPE23)! Its theme this year is putting charities in the driving seat of corporate partnerships. I ❤️ that.

👉🏻 Here are my four reasons why you should be joining me at CPE23 on March 16th….

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson's Why Not You Foundation is in hot water after a story initially published in USA Today reported that only 25 cents of every dollar the foundation raised went to charitable activities.

The rest of the money went to employee salaries and high-profile fundraisers like a golf tournament that cost $860,000 but never raised any money.

Because of the paywall on USA Today, I suggest you read about this story in The Seattle Times.

👉🏻 I'm writing about the story today because of its connection to corporate partnerships and checkout charity….

Last week, my wife and I stopped by a local restaurant to pick up some takeout. Like most places we visit now, the cashier asked us to pay via a slick payment screen on the counter. After tapping the screen with her credit card, the screen gave my wife the option to leave a tip, which she did.

As we walked back to the car with our food, I asked why she had left a tip. After all, the cashier did nothing except hand us our food. "It asked me so I left a tip," she shrugged…

Two things this week!

➡️ First, don't forget TODAY'S webinar: Trends in CSR & Corporate Partnerships .

The fun begins at 1pm sharp and this webinar is FREE!

➡️ ➡️ Second, there was a lot of interest last week in creating corporate guidelines for partnerships. I provided two examples last week. Here are two more...

Let's face it folks: 2023 could be a tough year for corporate partnerships.

It could even be more challenging than trying to figure out what's next for HBO's hit TV show White Lotus.

Fortunately, I know a corporate partnership AND White Lotus expert. Brittany Hill from Accelerist…

Early last year I got an email from Tasman "Tas" Cassim, the head of corporate partnerships at Black Dog Institute (BDI) in Australia, about writing some case studies for his organization.

While I've spoken before to nonprofits in Australia, I had never worked with one!

I have to admit I was a bit nervous…

I'd wager a coffee (a fancy one too!) that you are not spending enough time thinking about how to get people to open your emails. With more and more emails flooding people's inboxes these days, how can you get yours to stand out and get opened?

One tactic that I believe has worked for me and others is using an "emoji identity" in my subject line.

For some time now, in the subject line of my newsletter I've used these emojis: 😈😇…

Happy New Year, everyone! 🍾🥂🥳

Before we leap into 2023, let's take one last look into the rear view mirror.

Below are the posts I wrote in 2022 in my "Note from Joe" section of my newsletter…

Just a quick note this week wishing everyone a very happy holiday season. Whatever you celebrate this time of year, I am wishing you the very best in health and happiness for the season and for the New Year.

I am very thankful for all of you! I count you all as a Christmas miracle!

Now, about that picture at the top. I haven't shared it in a few years. One of those precious kids is me circa 1972. The other is my really ugly identical twin brother, Jeff…

Last week I reported on CVS being accused of fundraising fraud at checkout. While I think its likely CVS will be vindicated of the charges, there are a few takeaways we should all keep in mind for future checkout charity programs.

1. Companies shouldn't soley rely on consumer donations. While CVS pledged to make up any shortfall for the $10 million they agreed to raise…

2023 is right around the corner. Here are three things you can do RIGHT NOW to be better at partnership sales in the new year.

☑️ Strive for more consistency. If you want more consistent success in your partnership program, you need more consistency in your actions. This means dedicating time every day to prospecting, cultivating, and closing partners. No excuses….

The #1 emotion you have to deal with in almost every partnership meeting is FEAR.

1. The prospect's fear that you're not the right partner

2. The prospect's fear that you'll make them look stupid

3. The prospect's fear that you don't know what you are doing

4. The prospect's fear that a bad partnership will get them fired

How will you address the prospect's fears…

FACT: I have yet to meet a partnership professional that didn't salivate at the prospect of getting ACTUAL PROOF that a nonprofit partnership helped a company sell more stuff.

Everyone wants this!

When I'm writing partnership case studies, most nonprofits say: "Can you ask if the partnership has helped them sell more XYZ?"

I get the desire to want to know. I really do.

But I've concluded that you may not want to know the answer for two important reasons….

Who are your Perfect Partnership Prospects (PPP)???

Do you have a list of them that you refer to often?

Are you creating content specifically for them to get them on board?

Are you connecting with other people within the company so you have multiple touch points?

I ask because I had a great conversation last month with JOANN about their partnership with the National 4-H Council (4-H)….

One of the things I really enjoy about writing case studies is I get exposed to all kinds companies and how they raise money for their respective partners.

Last week I had a great conversation with a large retailer (1000+ stores) about its checkout charity program and how they absolutely blew the lid off their fundraising goal.

Here are four solid lessons that could help you smash the record of your next checkout charity program…

I'm knee-deep in partnership case study work right now, so I've been suggesting to some partnership peeps that if they only have one or two partnerships that they should write them up themselves.

Here's my 8-step process!

🚦Get Permission. Call your contact at the company and ask her if she would be willing to participate in a case study. If they are bigger company, insist that they…

The Boston Marathon is one of the best known road races in the world, but what's not widely known is that it's run by a nonprofit, the Boston Athletic Association or BAA.

And just like many nonprofits do, the BAA has run into a stumbling block: It just lost its biggest sponsor for its largest event.😱 Yep, after nearly 40 years the financial services giant John Hancock is ending its support for the Boston Marathon.

There's a few things we can learn from Hancock's departure and the BAA's hunt for a new major sponsor….

Last week I got a question from a reader about the best ways to reach out to a prospective partner.

Here you go...

🔬Do your research. The first thing to do is to confirm that the company is indeed a good prospect. Next, I apply this rule: Do not reach out to a prospect unless you (1) have an referral from someone they know (e.g. "Joe Waters suggested I contact you...") or (2) an OVP (overwhelming value proposition) for them that makes the opportunity too good to miss and you had to call them.

🤝 Build relationships….