Byway - Business Partnerships

Byway organizations use a variety of approaches to raise funds from the corporations and businesses located along their routes, in their general regions, and elsewhere. Many byway organizations have an organizational business plan in place to help guide their corporation and business fundraising goals and activities. A report by the Association of Fundraising Professionals says in 2004 corporations gave $12 billion in cash and in-kind donations, a 7.3 percent increase over 2003.

The following list includes examples of business-byway organization partnership-building activities, as shared by byway representatives participating in the roundtable discussions organized by Seaway Trail, Inc.

Advertising Sales

Art Auctions

Art auctions offer byway organizations the opportunity to partner with regional artists and auctioneers, and local businesses that sponsor or host the events or donate items.

“Making Auctions Work Best for Corporate Sponsors and Fundraisers” – a best practices article by Jon Carson, May 2005

Bank Sponsorships

Many banks are interested in sponsoring local or regional activities and projects through their community reinvestment funds.

Cooperative Retailing

Learn about a byway-city-retailer organization partnership that meets different mission objectives including having byway exhibit space, a staffed welcome center, and a retail space for selling byway theme products as a source of revenue for the byway organization and the retailer.

Direct Mail Campaigns

One byway organization’s fundraising appeal via a direct mail campaign raised $40,000. A staff person handled program development and received a $5,000 donation to cover the cost of the mailing sent to more than 2,000 businesses along or near the byway. Donation levels ranged in tiers from $50 to $500. Learn more

Events/Event Sponsorships

Grantsmanship

“The Five R’s of Corporate Grantsmanship: Tips for Developing Successful Corporate Partnerships” – a best practices article by Tamara Backer, January 2005

Hollywood Connection

Main Street Program

Byways with communities that have traditional commercial districts in need of revitalization may be interested in developing a partnership with the Main Street Program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Membership Programs

Merchandising

Paper Donations for Printing

Paper manufacturers may be willing to donate warehoused or new paper for byway publications/maps.

Road Access for Product Testing

One byway has solicited business support from product manufacturers using the byway to road test automobiles and tires.

Royalties

Storefront Partnerships

Tour packaging

Resources:

IEG, Inc. – for sponsors, sponsees, and agencies interested in sports, arts, entertainment, events, causes and association marketing; IEG Sponsorship Report, annual survey of 3,000-plus sponsorship opportunities worldwide; some resources free, others by subscription

Inside Corporate Philanthropy – a free newsletter

The Who-What-Where of Corporate Giving – a best practices article by Jessica Stannard - Friel, July 2005; lists websites for grant seekers, connections to corporation profiles, annual reports and IRS Form 990s…