Corporate fundraising and partnerships can be a powerful way to create long-term, sustainable income — but knowing how to approach businesses, and what to say, can feel daunting. This practical three-hour session is designed to help you understand how corporate fundraising really works, and how to build partnerships that benefit both your organisation and the businesses you engage with.

Delivered live online, the course takes a clear, jargon-free approach. You’ll explore what Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) means in practice, why social value matters more than ever to businesses, and how charities and community organisations can position themselves confidently when approaching potential partners. The focus is on real-world application, helping you move from uncertainty to action.

Key Learnings

• How corporate fundraising and sponsorship works in practice
• What motivates businesses to support charities and community organisations
• How CSR and social value influence funding and partnership decisions
• How to identify organisations aligned with your mission and values
• How to develop partnership ideas that benefit both sides
• Ways to build relationships that go beyond one-off donations

The course is open to individuals working within small and micro-businesses, VCSE organisations, sole traders and diverse-owned organisations. Eligibility criteria apply, with priority given to organisations supporting or operating within Kent (including Medway) and North Wales.

This session is designed for people who may not have a dedicated fundraising role, but are expected to make funding opportunities happen alongside everything else they do. Concepts are explained in plain English, with practical examples that reflect the realities of small and medium VCSE organisations.

You’ll explore how corporate giving has evolved, and why businesses now look for partnerships that demonstrate social impact, local benefit and shared values. Through discussion and examples, you’ll begin to see how the outcomes your organisation already delivers, such as improving wellbeing, reducing isolation or strengthening communities, can be framed in ways that resonate with corporate partners.

Previous learners have shared that sessions like this helped them feel more confident starting conversations with businesses, clearer about what they could offer, and better prepared to explain their impact without overselling or underselling their work. For many, the biggest shift was realising that strong partnerships are built on shared purpose, not just funding requests.

This course is open to individuals working within VCSE organisations, small and micro-businesses, sole traders and diverse-owned organisations. Eligibility criteria apply, with priority given to organisations supporting or operating within Kent (including Medway) and North Wales.

This course is offered as part of Sodexo’s Social Impact 2030 Pledge, supporting skills development, social mobility and stronger local economies. Through collaboration with not-for-profit partners, funded training places are being made available to help organisations strengthen their income generation and long-term sustainability.

Places are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. If you’re ready to approach corporate fundraising with greater confidence and clarity, apply for a funded place and take a practical step towards building partnerships that last.