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Description

Corporate Philanthropy and Private Fundraising: Targeting Partners, Building the Case and Retaining Support

Two days to structure a corporate philanthropy approach and persuade private partners to commit

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Cultural and educational non-profit organisations often seek private funding without a structured approach. The same document is sent to every contact, the case focuses mainly on the organisation's own needs, and partners secured one year do not return the next.

This 14-hour programme covers the design of a corporate philanthropy and private fundraising approach in the UAE context. Participants clarify the project to be funded, identify partners whose priorities match their cause, build a case centred on the partner's interest, prepare the solicitation meeting and organise relationship follow-up once support has been confirmed.

Learning objectives

  • Present a project to be funded in terms a private partner can readily understand
  • Identify companies and foundations whose priorities align with the project
  • Build a case centred on the interest of the partner being approached
  • Prepare and conduct a solicitation meeting
  • Organise follow-up and recognition of the relationship once support is committed

What makes this programme different

A presentation pack for a real project is built during the two days
Each participant produces a prioritised list of potential partners
Simulated solicitation meetings including refusal and postponement objections

Programme

1Clarifying the Project to Be Funded

From internal need to partner proposal

  • Turning a budget requirement into a presentable project
  • Distinguishing philanthropy, sponsorship and donation
  • Assessing the budget and the recognition benefits that can be offered
  • Drafting a short project statement for a first approach

2Targeting Partners

Companies, foundations and individual donors

  • Researching organisations whose priorities match the cause
  • Reviewing the giving policies published by companies
  • Prioritising targets according to affinity and accessibility
  • Identifying intermediaries and possible introductions

3Building the Case and the Presentation Pack

Speaking to the partner's interest

  • Moving from a needs-based message to a shared-benefit message
  • Structuring a clear and readable presentation pack
  • Presenting recognition benefits and the terms of the commitment
  • Preparing the financial information partners request

4Soliciting and Retaining Support

Meeting, commitment and follow-up

  • Preparing the solicitation meeting and the moment of the ask
  • Handling objections and deferred responses
  • Formalising the commitment and mutual obligations
  • Reporting, recognition and preparing for renewal

Who is it for

Non-profit managers · resource development officers · cultural sector professionals and leaders of public-interest projects.

Prerequisites

Working within an organisation likely to receive private support and having a specific project to fund.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.