Part 3: Building the Business Leg of Your Funding Stool
Take Action
Step 5: Commit to Focused, Consistent Action
Corporate fundraising grows through steady effort: small steps taken consistently, not last-minute scrambles. Set reasonable goals, stay organized with your outreach and follow-up, and regularly connect with your contacts. Even a few dedicated hours each week can make a big difference.
Step 6: Design a Portfolio of Opportunities
Finally, don’t limit an entire corporate relationship to one event or pilot partnership program. Instead, invest time in building a menu of options that include a variety of opportunities for collaboration. This not only increases your chances of success but also helps your organization stay resilient when your corporate partner’s budget, leadership, and priorities shift.
Building a Stable Stool for Your Organization’s Future
Building a corporate fundraising program makes your nonprofit stronger and more resilient. You don’t need a big team or elaborate plans to get started. Chances are, you already have many of the pieces needed. Now it’s about putting smart systems in place, staying focused, and nurturing relationships over time.
Remember the three-legged stool: sustainable funding comes from families and individuals, government, and the business community. If your organization has been balancing on just two legs—or wobbling on one—now is the time to build that third leg. Corporate partnerships aren’t just a nice-to-have; they’re essential infrastructure for long-term stability.
When you approach it this way, corporate partnerships become a natural extension of your fundraising efforts and an important part of your overall revenue strategy.
Ready to build your third leg? Rural Pathways can help.
We work with rural nonprofits to diversify revenue streams, build corporate partnership strategies, and create sustainable funding models. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to strengthen your approach, we’re here to guide you through every step.
Contact us to schedule a free discovery call.
Citation: Anderson, Charity & Gilpin, Staci. (2026). Stop Wobbling: Building the Business Leg of Your Funding Stool, A 3-Part Guide to Launching Your Corporate Partnership Program. Rural Pathways News.