Corporate Partnerships Conference 2026

Sessions

Room 1

Corporate Fundraising in 2026: Trends and Insights
Speaker: Andy King, Fireside Fundraising, Lesley Pinder, Compass, Preeya Varsani

The world of corporate fundraising is shifting quickly. Economic pressure, changing expectations around ESG, employee activism, and growing scrutiny of corporate impact are all reshaping how (and why) companies choose to work with charities. But what does this look like from inside businesses themselves?

In this panel discussion, Andy King, Preeya Versani and Lesley Pinder will explore the biggest trends shaping corporate partnerships in 2026, drawing on lived experience and research based on in-depth interviews with 20 people working inside companies.

Together, we’ll unpack what’s changing in the way businesses think about charity partnerships, what is becoming more important in decision-making, and where charities are still misunderstanding how companies operate.

If you want to understand how corporate fundraising is evolving (and what charities need to do differently to keep pace) this session will offer a clear and candid view of the road ahead.

Key learnings from this session:

• The key trends shaping corporate fundraising in 2026
• How companies’ expectations of charity partnerships are evolving
• The cultural differences between businesses and charities that still create friction
• What fundraisers need to understand to stay relevant in a changing corporate landscape

How to protect your donation income from the HMRC donation raiders
Speaker: Jane Montague, Jane Montague Consultancy

Baffled by the term commercial participation? Feel your world will end if you don’t know how a corporate partner can be a professional fundraiser? Have a deep loathing for HMRC and want to make sure your corporate donation income is protected from their filthy mitts?

If you answer yes to any of these questions then this is the session for you.

Understanding the fundamentals of working with your corporates and how they fundraise for you can save you a lot of gut wrenching if the Fundraising Regulator comes knocking. Their legislative spotlight is being shone on these partnerships and unconscious incompetence is not an excuse.

Also VAT. Neither funny nor interesting but we can use brand licensing to protect our income. Find out  how in this session.

PS bring caffeine for the VAT bit. You’ll need chemical stimulation to fire up the synapses!

Key learnings from this session:

• Understand consumer driven corporate partnerships
• Brand Licensing necessity and use
• Overview of VAT on corporate partnerships

The First Year Test: Lessons From Wikimedia’s Leap Into Corporate Fundraising
Speaker: Belvin Tawyu

You don’t need a big team or big brand to begin corporate fundraising, just a clear purpose and the courage to start. Join Wikimedia UK for a transparent reflection on the first year of building a new income stream from scratch. Hear how we’ve navigated challenges, made key strategic choices, and built early momentum, all while staying true to our mission and values. Expect practical insights, reassurance, and real-world lessons to help you begin your own journey.

Key learnings from this session:

• Get started and work with what you have
• Experience is the best teacher
• It’s worth it!

How to set realistic corporate fundraising targets
Speaker: Andy King, Fireside Fundraising

Setting corporate fundraising targets can often feel like guesswork: a finger in the air at the best, or ‘pull a rabbit out of the hat, please’ at worst.

It’s hard: senior leaders need clear numbers to plan around, but those working in corporate fundraising know it’s rarely that simple. Timelines can vary wildly, partnerships take time to nurture, and every organisation’s starting point is different.

In this session, we’ll cut through the guesswork and explore how to set realistic, evidence-based corporate fundraising targets that everyone can stand behind. We’ll look at industry average data to give you a clear sense of what’s typical, what’s ambitious, and what’s truly exceptional. You’ll leave with a practical framework for forecasting income that reflects both the opportunities ahead and the realities of relationship building, so you can set expectations with confidence and credibility.

Key learnings from this session:

• What it takes to succeed in corporate fundraising
• The assumptions you need to make to scenario plan
• How to set corporate fundraising targets

Things You Don’t Think About When Landing A Partnership
Speaker: Jasmine Morris, Shelter

Is your organisation corporate partnership ready? Are you setting your team up for success in the partnerships you are landing?

This session will use real world examples to demonstrate some of the pitfalls fundraisers fall into when landing corporate partnerships.

With 15 years experience in corporate partnerships at organisations of all sizes and having worked within both New Business and Partnership Management I have seen many partnerships who have been set up for failure or have been an uphill struggle from day 1. By asking the right questions early on you can ensure that the partnerships you land fit with your organisation where it is, add value and are set up for long term retention.

Key learnings from this session:

• Understanding the questions you need to be asking yourself/your organisation when considering a corporate partnership
• Understanding what questions you need to be asking the prospective corporate partner
• How to ensure you are ready for and landing the correct partnerships for long term success

From Pitching to Proof: A Smarter Way to Build Partnerships
Speaker: Joe Waters, Selfish Giving

Non-profits often spend too much time pitching and not enough time building proof. This session explores why proof – not persuasion – is the real driver of successful corporate partnerships. Joe Waters shares a three-stage framework that helps organisations create partnership proof, turn it into credibility, and use it to attract future partners. Designed for non-profit leaders and partnership teams, this talk focuses on mindset, structure, and execution – not tactics or trends.

Room 2

Why Companies and Charities Do and Don’t Need Each Other
Speakers: Brogan Pierce, Hark

Companies and charities can both be powerful forces for social good. They are independently capable, mission-driven in their own ways, and increasingly expected to make a positive impact. But when they work together, something bigger often becomes possible. So why do these partnerships sometimes feel harder than they should?

In this session, you’ll hear from Brogan Pierce of Hark, an intermediary who regularly sits in the space between companies and charities. Drawing on real-world examples, Brogan will explore the surprising similarities between the two sectors, the shared pain points that get in the way, and the misconceptions that stop partnerships from reaching their full potential.

We’ll look at what companies genuinely need from their social impact programmes, how they achieve that in and outside of charity partnerships and how to bridge the cultural gaps that can hold collaboration back. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of why both sides don’t need each other to do good… but working together can make you greater than the sum of your parts.

Key learnings from this session:

• The shared motivations and challenges companies and charities often overlook
• What companies really value in a social impact programme.
• How to navigate common pain points between partners.

Charity of the Year: Opportunity or Overrated?
Speakers: Grahame Darnell and Becky Francis

Charity of the Year (COTY) partnerships are often positioned as the default corporate–charity partnership. For some organisations, they unlock significant income, profile and employee engagement. For others, they demand huge amounts of time and resources for returns that don’t live up to the promise. So how do you tell the difference?

In this session, Grahame will make the case for COTY, unpacking where these partnerships can be genuinely transformative and how charities can spot the opportunities that are worth pursuing. Drawing on practical experience, he’ll explore what a “good” COTY really looks like, what success factors are often overlooked, and how charities can position themselves to get the most from these relationships.

Taking the opposite view, Becky will challenge the COTY status quo. She’ll explore why many Charity of the Year partnerships fail to deliver real value, how power imbalances show up in practice, and why charities should be more confident in demanding better from companies. The session will culminate in a friendly head-to-head debate, teasing out when COTY is good, when it’s bad, and when it’s downright ugly: and what charities should do as a result.

Key learnings from this session:

• When Charity of the Year partnerships can be a powerful opportunity, and when they’re a red flag
• How to assess whether a COTY partnership is right for your charity before saying yes
• What charities should expect, ask for, and push back on in COTY relationships

RNLI x Dryrobe: stay warm, save lives
Speaker: Emma Barker, Senior Partnerships Account Manager & Nick Rees, Dryrobe

RNLI and Dryrobe share a deep connection to the sea, and their partnership which started in 2022 is going from strength to strength. Join RNLI Senior Partnerships Account Manager, Emma Barker and Dryrobe Global Partnerships Manager, Nick Rees for a Q&A to learn how the partnership works, and what makes it truly authentic.

Using AI In Corporate Fundraising
Speaker: Chloe Dickinson (fireside chat), Ziptrix

Chloe and Nikki will have a fireside chat about the enormous opportunities, benefits and risks of using AI in corporate fundraising. They’ll explore tools, platforms and methods currently in use and give practical tips on how to get started and vastly improve the quality of how you use AI in your everyday work.

Key learnings from this session:

• How you can use AI for corporate fundraising
• What we and others are doing to drive more effectiveness and efficiency in fundraising using AI
• How to acknowledge and manage some of the risks of using AI

How to find warm prospects (for free)
Speaker: Lucy Mitchell, Fireside Fundraising

Finding the right corporate partners doesn’t have to rely on expensive databases or paid tools. In fact, some of the strongest partnerships start with curiosity, creativity and a bit of clever research.

In this session, we’ll explore practical techniques for building a warm corporate prospect pipeline, using only free and accessible tools. You’ll learn how to uncover companies already aligned with your cause, spot signs of shared purpose, and prioritise those most likely to engage. Whether you’re just starting out or already have a programme in place, this approach will help you grow your warm pipeline with confidence and clarity.

You’ll leave with a step-by-step framework you can use straight away – one that helps any organisation, from the smallest community group to the biggest national charity, find and connect with the right corporate partners.

Key learnings from this session:

• What a good prospect looks like
• How to identify potential corporate partners
• How to ask trustees and colleagues for introductions

Careers In Corporate Fundraising
Speaker: Harbi Jama, Impetus

This session is designed for people considering a career in corporate partnerships or corporate fundraising, as well as those already in the field who are looking to take the next step in their career. Drawing on real-world experience, the discussion will explore what it takes to build successful corporate partnerships, develop commercially minded fundraising skills, and progress into senior leadership roles.

Participants will gain practical advice on career pathways, skill development, and strategic decision-making, including how to position themselves for growth, navigate career transitions, and build strong relationships with corporate partners. The session will also offer honest insights into the realities of the sector, helping attendees make informed choices about what to do next and how to accelerate their impact.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Understand the different career pathways into corporate partnerships and corporate fundraising
• Gain clarity on the skills, experiences, and mindsets needed to progress at different career stages
• Learn how to build and manage strong corporate relationships, from first conversation to long-term partnership
• Receive practical advice on what to do next to accelerate their career, whether entering the sector or aiming for leadership roles
• Hear honest insights into the realities, challenges, and opportunities of corporate fundraising
• Leave with greater confidence in how to position themselves, grow their network, and maximise impact

Programme

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