The Ripple Effect of Corporate and Nonprofit Partnerships

No matter what industry you’re in, relationships are the backbone of good business. Of course, the ones with your clients and your employees are crucial, but so are the ones with your community and beyond.

Partnering with other for-profit and nonprofit organizations often gets overlooked even though it fosters goodwill and props up those deserving recognition (crucial ways to make this world a better place). As a family business, these partnerships have always been important to us – it’s part of our history and our future!

Our Take on Corporate-Nonprofit Partnership Models

In a good corporate-nonprofit partnership, the corporate partner and nonprofit partner work together toward a common goal – fundraising campaigns, building a platform for advocacy or generally making a positive impact on others!

The best ones grow out of shared values and mutual respect. They can be big. They can be small. It’s not always about dollars and cents – sometimes it’s just the simple gesture of caring enough to be part of building something else up!

Organizations That Are Important to Us

Dogs for Our Brave

A few years back, we crossed paths with Corporal Chris Miller, a local veteran who stopped in our showroom. We got to talking and quickly learned more about his important story.

Chris is a retired wounded Marine working diligently to advocate for other veterans – ultimately leading us to a program called Dogs For Our Brave. As an ambassador and veteran who was matched with a service dog through the program, Chris understands the impact that Dogs for Our Brave makes. These rescued canine companions enhance (and sometimes save) the lives of suffering veterans. This unique organization provides free lifetime support, covering all food, veterinary care and pharmaceuticals for each service dog.

Save two lives at once by making a donation to Dogs for Our Brave.

Second Harvest Food Bank

One of our beloved event-based initiatives and workplace-giving programs includes an annual call-to-action for Second Harvest Food Bank. As a member of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley provides food assistance to over 18,000 local community members every single week.

For years, we’ve included a donation drive for this important organization during our annual Red, White and True event. This type of partnership is championed by high employee morale and a local commitment to the common goal of helping those in need.

Local Community Programs

There are no two ways about it. Without local business partners, many community programs wouldn’t survive (or certainly wouldn’t flourish). We live here. Our employees raise kids here. We want to make a difference here!

That’s why you’ll see us contributing to a variety of local organizations – sports teams, fundraisers, church events – and you should, too. Whether you help through financial support or volunteer opportunities, finding a local program or non-profit organization that resonates with you is a win-win.

VFW, Ohio 4-H and Local Cattlemen’s Association

In addition to our sports- and church-related partnerships, the VFW, local 4-H programs and Cattlemen’s Association are near and dear to our business. The sacrifice of our veterans can’t be understated, and our passion for agriculture and sustainability runs deep.

We encourage you to learn more about these great organizations:

• • VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars organization is a nonprofit built to foster camaraderie among US veterans of overseas conflicts. With over 1.4 million members, the VFW is based on promoting patriotism, serving communities and ensuring care for veterans and their families.
  • Ohio 4-H: In our local community, there are more than 50 4-H clubs serving over 1,000 youth participants. This great program builds lifelong skills and fosters leadership through projects, service and hands-on activities.
  • Cattlemen’s Association: The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association is the voice of cattle-raising families across the state. This unique nonprofit represents Ohio’s beef cattle business and services almost 60 county associations.

Travis Mills Foundation

Our relationship with Chris Miller led us to this great organization, too.

Founded by Travis Mills (U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and recalibrated warrior), the Travis Mills Foundation supports wounded veterans through multiple phases of overcoming physical and mental obstacles.

To date, the Travis Mills Foundation has served over 1,700 veteran families by fostering long-lasting bonds with fellow wounded veterans and giving each family a place where they can rest without barriers. There are several ways to get involved, including financial support, volunteer opportunities and event participation.

Ruritan Organizations

Another favorite of ours is the Ruritan organization. Ruritan National has nearly 25,000 members across the country working to make communities better places to live and work.

Locally, we have several groups: Springfield Township Ruritan Club, West Branch Area Ladies Ruritan Club, Winona Ruritan Club, Fairfield Ruritan Club and Greenford Ruritans. These great organizations serve the community, work with other deserving agencies and encourage service as the basis of worthwhile enterprise.

ALS Association Nonprofit Partnership Opportunities

Through our partnership with Renovation Hunters on Outdoor Channel, we were introduced to the ALS Association.

During Season 2, Renovation Hunters and Baird Brothers had the opportunity to renovate a home for the Clear family. The family had lost their father to ALS, and promoting the organization became a shared goal of all involved.

In a recent AHA episode, our own Steve Stack talks with Renovation Hunter’s Chris Filardi as they discuss how the potential partner opportunity blossomed into reality.

The ALS Association plays an important role in the nonprofit sector, touching millions of lives. This important nonprofit organization leads the way in research, patient support and support to the ALS community.

There is currently no cure for ALS and someone is diagnosed with this deadly disease every 90 minutes. Consider getting involved today.

The Benefits of Corporate-Nonprofit Partnerships

Strong partnerships between companies and community-based organizations benefit everyone.

When a for-profit business and a nonprofit partner together, shared goals and initiatives are more likely to be met – and even exceeded. The social impact of these partnerships doesn’t just benefit the business partners – it benefits the whole community and the respective employees (boosting employee morale and creating a fulfilling experience).

Better Brand Reputation

Taking part in corporate social responsibility programs (CSR) builds brand trust. Most times, though, simply signing a check as a corporate sponsor isn’t enough. Younger generations care more than ever about what a business believes in. From the CEOs, to the stakeholders, to the employees – having everyone work toward a shared goal is an essential part of being a good organization.

If you’re a business entity, consider sharing your favorite nonprofit via social media to introduce it to new audiences and other retailers – it could make a drastic impact on fundraising and advocacy.

Partnering For Success

We believe in supporting the health of our environment and the health of our communities. That’s why we advocate for sustainable products just as much as we advocate for organizations that build a better world for future generations.

Every business and individual has a responsibility to make a positive impact, and alongside our for-profit and nonprofit partners, we’re here to build a better tomorrow for all.