Want to Partner with a Business? Lessons from the Children’s Health Fund

Children’s Health Fund (CHF) is dedicated to providing health care to the nation’s most vulnerable children. CHF also has a 30-year legacy of support from a diversified mix of individuals, foundations, and corporations. A unique factor contributing to the diversity of partnerships includes corporations across industries. These partnerships share a mission, commitment to innovative solutions and bringing strengths to the table. This approach is captured in its current day focus with companies like Samsung, Morgan Stanley (#MSGivesBack), H&M Foundation and Sanofi US.

 “The key to our success is building relationships that leverage the strengths of all stakeholders and focus on a shared mission to expand access to quality healthcare in the underserved communities,” said Dr. Irwin Redlener, Co-Founder, Children's Health Fund.

The notion of corporate responsibility reflects a growing trend to ensure that businesses see themselves as part of the community in which they work. This is true for small local businesses and large international corporations. Non-profit organizations (NGOs) can benefit greatly from partnering with a business that identifies with their mission. Increasingly, corporations and businesses in all sectors have adopted policies that reflect a desire to “give back.”

Here are the top six lessons for building successful business and nonprofit partnerships, from Dr. Redlener.

1. Have a clear and compelling mission.
2. Have a rationale as to why the mission is important and should be embraced by a potential business partner.
3. Find a potential partner who has a corporate responsibility mission that aligns with the nonprofit.
4. Make sure the proposal is well written from every perspective.
5. Invite visits from the corporate leadership and employees to see the program “in action.”
6. Stay connected with updates about how the program is going throughout course of the relationship.