By
eHow Careers & Work Editor
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Get contact information for the movers and shakers in the community in which your nonprofit is located. This information can be found in the Business Journal's Book of Lists.
Step2
Go through the book thoroughly and choose the top 10 companies in your area - then get on the phone. Set up appointments with the companies' community relations people and get to know them.
Step3
Get out of your office and see what and who is in your community. If you have a boss that truly understands community relations, he or she will expect you to be out of the office. Go to your local zoo, art museum, baseball park, university and other places where things are likely to be happening. Get to know the community relations people at these places and discuss partnership ideas with one another.
Step4
Write letters. If you can't physically get to all of the places you would like, start a letter-writing campaign of your own. Put everyone in the business community on the list and generate your letter in a fashion that lets them know who you are and what you are about. Tell them of your mission and then tell them again. Remember, the name of the game is visibility.
Step5
Invite your new friends over for a tour of the nonprofit; it's a surefire way to gain support for your cause. Letting someone see what you do firsthand and allowing them to see their community dollars at work is a great way to excite other community members about your organization.