Corporate Partnerships
MARKETING & SPONSORSHIP
Partnerships are integral to the conservation success of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). They take many forms ranging from program collaborations with local communities and wildlife agencies; technical coordination with universities and other non-profit organizations, and funding partnerships that span the spectrum from individual donors and private foundations to national governments in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere.
Also vital to the conservation mission of AWF are private-sector partners: corporations, mid-sized companies and small businesses that provide essential financial and communications support. Outlined below are various options for supporting AWF’s conservation work that will help build your brand’s reputation for environmental and social responsibility; enhance relations with current and prospective customers, and give your employees a sense of pride for protecting Africa’s magnificent wildlife.
> Please review our Business Partnership Guidelines.
> Read about our Current Corporate Partners.
> Contact Kurt Redenbo at kredenbo@awf.org for details on marketing and sponsorship options.
50th ANNIVERSARY SPONSOR
Saving Africa’s wildlife is a big challenge requiring an equally big vision. That vision is reflected in the scale of our work (large, often multi-national landscapes called African Heartlands) and a sustained investment in each Heartland. Corporate Sponsors advance our commitment to conservation success by aligning themselves with AWF over a multi-year period. For 2011 we are seeking an “AWF 50th Anniversary Sponsor” to help launch our next half century of conservation programs in Africa – and celebrate the initiatives of the past five decades that have made possible the survival of elephants, rhinos, mountain gorillas and other imperiled African wildlife. Sponsor acknowledgement and messaging will be integrated into our 50th Anniversary campaign including communications to supporters and media worldwide, anniversary-themed publications and web content; and special events in Washington, DC and the new AWF Center for African Conservation in Nairobi, Kenya.
CORPORATE MARKETING PARTNER
The environment as a news headline is here to stay and along with it the growing expectation among consumers that corporations must take a greater role in protecting the planet for the benefit of people and wildlife alike. AWF Corporate Marketing Partners are rising to this challenge with a commitment to support our conservation work across critical landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa. In turn AWF is sharing news of their active engagement with our other supporters and constituencies. Depending on the particular aims of the Corporate Marketing Partner, AWF collaborates on the development of program messaging, consumer promotions and other customized marketing efforts that highlight the connection between your brand/company and the conservation leadership of AWF.
> Read about AWF Corporate Marketing Partner Hublot.
> Read about AWF Corporate Marketing Partner Steuben.
CAUSE-RELATED MARKETING
A cause-marketing program or product licensing arrangement with AWF is a meaningful way for your brand to rise above the din in today’s cluttered shelf-space and web-space. Linking sales with specific support for AWF (e.g., “10% of each sale is donated to the African Wildlife Foundation”) gives savvy, socially conscious consumers an easy way to take action to protect Africa’s endangered wildlife. Whether it is a high impact quarterly promotion or ongoing collaboration, our team is ready to discuss ideas that give your customers something to get wild about.
> Read about our cause-marketing program with Endangered Species Chocolate.
CORPORATE GRANT-MAKING
Grants from corporations (and private foundations) are invaluable for advancing the four major programs of AWF: Land and Habitat Protection; Species Conservation w/ a focus on endangered species; Sustainable Business Enterprise; and Conservation Education and Capacity Building. AWF is likewise developing projects that address strategies for adaptation to global climate change in the especially vulnerable ecosystems of sub-Saharan Africa. If your company’s foundation supports the aforementioned initiatives, AWF would like to arrange an exploratory discussion of how our initiatives might be the basis of a formal request.
MATCHING GIFTS
AWF receives twice the philanthropic benefit when companies match their employees’ contributions. We encourage your company to include the African Wildlife Foundation on the list of non-profit organizations that are eligible for matching gifts. If AWF is already eligible, thank you for this support. Additionally, if your company schedules events to educate employees about the work of charitable organizations included within your matching gift program, please keep AWF in mind as we would be happy to provide materials or if possible arrange to have a representative on hand. Employee donations and the matching employer contribution form can be sent to:
African Wildlife Foundation, Attn: Madeline Johnson
1400 Sixteen Street N.W., Suite 120
Washington, DC 20036
