In this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I welcome Mariah Monique, founder of Sponsorship Catalyst, to discuss how nonprofits can elevate corporate sponsorships from transactional support to mission-aligned, long-term partnerships. From choosing the right sponsors to knowing when to walk away, this conversation is packed with practical advice on diversifying revenue streams, understanding audience psychographics, and building relationships rooted in mutual value and trust.

Topics We Cover:

• Why corporate sponsorships should be strategic partnerships, not one-time donations
• How the pandemic sparked a need for revenue diversification in nonprofits
• The “pie” metaphor for funding sources—and why over-reliance is risky
• What makes a sponsorship offer valuable to both nonprofits and sponsors
• The power of mission alignment and saying no to the wrong sponsorships
• How to identify and evaluate corporate partners based on brand values
• The shift in language from “please donate” to “partner with us”
• Why understanding your audience’s psychographics unlocks better partnerships

To Learn More and Connect with Mariah:

Mariah Monique on LinkedIn

The Sponsorship Catalyst Website

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