Open Your Doors to a Nonprofit and Reap the Benefits

downloadGuest post by Ellen Walthour, Executive Director, The BrandLab.
PadillaCRT’s Minneapolis office is home to The BrandLab in 2016.

The BrandLab, the nonprofit organization I work for, is always on the move. It’s an annual ritual for us and, while it causes headaches and backaches for a few days, it’s a process we actually appreciate each year. That’s because the office space we use is donated by generous companies who support us, both physically and financially.

The BrandLab has existed for only seven years, but we’ve moved in to our fifth home. Like many nonprofits, we don’t require much: five desks, a copy machine, access to meeting rooms, and a warm, welcoming environment. A tiny bit of square footage in the corner of a multi-million dollar business is all it really takes to make us happy. While this might be peanuts to a corporation’s bottom line, it’s gold to a nonprofit like ours with an annual operating budget under $550,000.

Besides the obvious financial benefit, being a nomadic organization offers advantages to us, as well as to our host for-profit companies. It’s a beneficial relationship that all nonprofits and for-profits should consider, and here’s why:

For-Profit Benefits:

Nonprofit Benefits:

The BrandLab may be unique in the nonprofit landscape. Our mission is intrinsically linked to a for-profit world, which makes finding hosts easier. We work to change the face and voice of the marketing industry to be more reflective of the nation’s demographics to ensure the industry continues to thrive. When building a nonprofit/for-profit partnership, look for synergy like this; orgs that clearly align with a shared vision.

So, think about it. Nonprofits, is your organization struggling with overhead costs? For-profits, could your organization carve out a bit of space for a nonprofit to share for a year? If you find a way to make it work, I can guarantee that your new roommate will be so grateful that they will never ever forget to do their dishes.   

Related Posts: Blogger Beware, Google Might Be After Guest Posts What Can Nonprofits Learn From Dealing With A Public Health Crisis? The Art of Partnerships in Health BEER-CATION: 45 Must-Visit Breweries (INFOGRAPHIC) What It Takes to Lead: An Ode to the Leaders We Admire Long Distanced Relationships During COVID-19