Giving Compass' Take:

• Sarasota magazine reports on the efforts of local businesses to partner with nonprofits, and how such relationships have shown success all around.

• What can other organizations around the country learn from these corporate giving-related sponsorships? One is that there must be carefully-thought out strategies behind them, rather than just public relations.

• Here are some more models of high-level partnerships with social enterprises.

Regardless of the rationale, the most successful corporate sponsorships provide meaningful benefits for all parties: the company, its customers, the nonprofit organization and ultimately, the community. Here are three local companies and their benefactors who are making the most of corporate sponsorships:

  • Wilde Lexus Sarasota and the Van Wezel:  More than $400,000 in corporate sponsorships came to the city-owned Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall last year, says executive director Mary Bensel — a mix of cash and in-kind donations that includes hotel room nights for visiting artists, catering for special events and media advertising.
  • Williams Parker and the Sarasota Opera:  The blue-chip law firm of Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen has partnered with the Sarasota Opera since firm co-founder Bill Harrison joined the Sarasota Opera’s board in 1992 at a client’s suggestion.
  • Gold Coast Eagle Distributing and Wounded Warriors Family Support: Gold Coast Eagle Distributing president John Saputo is passionate about serving military veterans. A retired Marine colonel who saw three years of active duty and 28 years of reserve duty, he received the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution’s highest award, the Medal of Honor, in 2014.

Corporate partnerships are now about “an exchange of value,” she says, and must be strategic. Bower advises businesses to consider asking these questions before, during and after signing on as a corporate partner.

Read the full article about companies' partnerships with nonprofits by Ilene Denton at Sarasota magazine.