Newsletter: Searching for Cause Marketing in Florence & Tuscany 🇮🇹 ; Who Gets the Tax Write Off for Checkout Donations? 🤔 ; Nonprofit Marketing Advice From Poet Emily Dickinson ✍️
For the next two Wednesdays, I'll be in Italy and then Washington, D.C., and I will NOT be publishing a newsletter again until Wednesday, September 27th.
Last September, we visited Rome, Sorrento, and Pompeii. Incredible trip! This year, we are visiting Florence and the Tuscany region.
Any great recommendations on good restaurants or unique places to visit are much appreciated!
I'll head to Washington, D.C., and Georgetown University from Italy to teach in the New Strategies Program.
Taking two weeks off from writing the newsletter is a good idea. At least that's what my wife tells me. "It's a chance to recharge!" she says. I have my doubts.🤔
But that doesn't mean I'll forget all about corporate partnerships for two weeks. No way. Last year in Rome, I uncovered a great partnership involving the city's famous Colosseum and wrote about it as soon as I returned.
Did you read that post?
Partnership Lessons from Rome's Colosseum
The next two weeks would also be a good time to read the other posts I wrote this summer in the "Note from Joe" section. Did you miss some of them?
4 Key Insights from ACCP's Annual CSR Survey 📊
Nonprofits, Take Note: Barbie is Ripe for Causejacking 💥
The Mismatched Expectations Holding Back Partnerships 🧦
What Makes a Good Partnership Program? Lighting 💡
How to Use ChatGPT to Write Partnership Outreach Letters 🤖
Partnership Contract Lessons from the American Revolution ✊
Is This the End of Amateurism in Cause Marketing 🤡
Are Unrealistic Partnership Goals Setting You Up to Fail? 😫
Confronting the Woodchuck in Your Partnership Program 🦫
Enjoy!
You'll hear again from me on the 27th. However, if you need ANYTHING over the next couple of weeks - questions or anything related to case studies, coaching, or consulting - don't hesitate to reply to this newsletter.
Vivo per servire! (I live to serve!) 🤲❤️
✍️ Partnership Notes
1. An interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on "Checkout Charity." 🎁 (🎁 = I'm a subscriber and am "gifting" you the article.) It repeats many of the same things I've been reading for years. Consumers are tired of POS, people are having bad experiences, blah blah blah.
What caught my eye was this.
"Internal Revenue Service rules generally allow businesses to use consumer donations to earn tax write-offs, though not every company with a checkout campaign uses the tactic."
Huh?
I thought companies couldn't write off customers' donations. Period. Aren't companies a pass-through for donations and not eligible for any tax benefits?
I want to research this more when I get back from vacation. However, if you have an answer, please reply to this email so I can share it with the group.
2. Here's a good example of a partnership case study. Download the PDF and check it out. I like how the first page summarizes the challenge, solution, and outcome quickly. The second page shares a few more details. If you took my case study course last month, you'll notice many of the key elements I recommended, like partner overview and pull quotes.
🤑 Marketing Your Cause
1. Marketing advice from the poet Emily Dickinson. Of course, she's a Massachusetts native and wicked pissah.❤️
Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
Not into poetry? No worries. Remember this: Tell your story from an angle people can understand and relate to, or they'll miss, dismiss, or ignore your point.
2. Stop talking about what you will do and start doing it. Let's face it. You're not even really trying. Advice from Gary Vee! Strong language.
"How many posts a day come out from this mission?... You guys are full of 💩"
😎 Cool Jobs in Cause
1. Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships, City Year, Los Angeles, CA ($85k - $97k)
2. Director, New Business Development, Rebuilding Together, Remote ($85k - $95k)
🧠🍌 Brain Food
1. Are you looking for a job? Amanda Natividad has some great advice. #3 is critical, especially if you email me about a partnership position. Please help me help you!
2. Fascinating! How the first Orthodox Jew in a Major League Baseball organization is making it work. 🎁
3. If you love a good dog story - like I do - this story will warm your heart. 🐶❤️
