Quarter one – 2025 Corporate Partnership Highlights

Introduction – Quarter One Corporate Partnerships

Corporate partnerships are driving incredible change in the charity sector, and it’s time we celebrate the success stories that often get overshadowed by discussions of challenges. While it’s crucial to acknowledge the obstacles charities face, this newsletter is dedicated to showcasing the innovative and impactful partnerships making a real difference in 2025. From strategic collaborations tackling social issues to corporate teams going above and beyond in their support, we’re here to highlight what’s working and inspire even more success.

In this edition, we’ll explore partnerships that are setting new standards for collaboration, share insights from industry leaders, and spotlight key trends shaping the corporate-charity landscape. Whether it’s a company helping a charity scale its mission through funding and expertise or a long-term partnership evolving to meet emerging needs, these stories prove that strong alliances can lead to tangible, positive change.

As a leader of a Corporate Partnerships team, you play a pivotal role in shaping these relationships, and we want this newsletter to be both a source of inspiration and a practical resource for your work. We’d love to hear your thoughts—what’s working well in your partnerships? What innovations are you seeing? Let’s shift the narrative and celebrate the powerful impact of corporate-charity collaborations together.

Quarter One Round Up –Corporate Partnerships

Home-Start has launched a new cookbook designed to help families manage the rising cost of living. Made possible with funding from Cadent’s Centres for Warmth programme, the cookbook is packed with budget-friendly slow cooker recipes contributed by families supported by Home-Start. To mark the launch, Cadent has purchased thousands of copies to be distributed to families within Home-Start’s network.

The Cambridge Building Society is celebrating its 175th anniversary with a commitment to increase donations to good causes in its community. Last year, the team dedicated nearly 1,000 volunteering hours to local charities and has donated over £160,000 since 2020. Now, they’re stepping it up—pledging to donate £175,000 annually from profits.

A £2 million funding boost from Cadent Foundation will allow Citizens Advice to expand its successful pilot programme, offering energy and financial hardship support in some of the UK’s most deprived communities. Over 2,000 people have already benefited, with financial gains exceeding £2.6 million through better bill management, income maximisation, and access to additional benefits. The extra funding will extend the initiative to nine more locations—including Bedford, Stoke-on-Trent, and Manchester—bringing the total to 17.

Throughout March, Marks & Spencer is doubling donations for International Women’s Day. Simply update your Sparks charity to Wellbeing of Women to make every donation go further.

Business leaders in Greater Manchester have joined forces to launch Business Beats Cancer Manchester, a new initiative uniting the region’s business community to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Their first major event, a Gala Dinner at Manchester Cathedral on 27th March, will feature a performance by Manchester artist Argh Kid. The campaign has received high-profile backing with donated billboard space across the city, including a slot on Europe’s second-biggest billboard, courtesy of Elonex.

Digital agency Candour has announced a new partnership with Norfolk Clubhouse, a local mental health charity. As part of their commitment, Candour will provide fundraising, cash donations, and free digital marketing services—including an initial £10,000 donation. The funding will support Norfolk Clubhouse in expanding its wellbeing services, helping more people build friendships, develop skills, and access employment support.

Prostate Cancer UK, M&S, and Sir Chris Hoy have teamed up to encourage more men to check their prostate cancer risk. As the UK’s leading men’s underwear retailer, M&S is using its stores, website, and social channels to spread awareness. Plus, for every pack of M&S Autograph men’s underwear sold until the end of March, £4 will be donated to Prostate Cancer UK.

Marie Curie UK and KPMG are celebrating three years of partnership, with KPMG raising an incredible £1.86 million for the charity. Their support goes beyond fundraising, with over £661,000 in pro bono services and an impressive 92,959 hours dedicated to fundraising, volunteering, and pro bono work.

Travelodge Hotels Limited marked Heart Month with a rowing challenge on the River Thames, raising vital funds for the British Heart Foundation. Over two days, the Travelodge team rowed 30,000 metres daily—raising awareness of the 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests that occur in the UK each year.

The Tree Counciland Network Rail have renewed their partnership, committing to planting thousands more trees across the UK. Since the partnership began, 350,000 saplings have been planted in 180 communities, with dedicated aftercare to ensure their survival. Under the new agreement, Network Rail has pledged £1.2 million for tree planting and maintenance across its Eastern, Northwest, Central, and Southern regions.

Eden Tyres & Servicing is joining forces with Breast Cancer Now, pledging £2 from every Radar Tyre sold in 2025, with a minimum expected donation of £30,000. They’re also getting staff and customers involved with fundraising events, including the Pink Ribbon Walk and The Great North Run.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, UK baby food brand Ella’s Kitchen has partnered with Smart Works Charity. Ella’s Kitchen will support Smart Works’ Reading branch, offering donations and paid volunteer leave for employees to take part in clothing drives, career work shops, and fundraising events that help women enter the workforce.

Toolstation, part of Travis Perkins plc, has raised an incredible £663,421 for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2024—bringing its total fundraising for the charity to almost £3 million since the partnership launched in 2020. Efforts included in-store raffles, bake sales, fancy dress days, and the Mighty Hike across the Wye Valley, alongside micro-donations via Pennies, which raised £190,182.

Aldi UK has taken a huge step towards menstrual equity by partnering with Bloody Good Period to provide free period products in all store toilets—no sign-ups, no questions asked. On top of that, Aldi is donating 1 million period products to support Bloody Good Period’s mission.

Employees across Vistry Group have shattered their fundraising target for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, raising over £700,000—including Gift Aid—more than doubling their £300,000 goal. Fundraising efforts spanned the UK and beyond, with marathons, cycling challenges, skydives, and the company-wide Tri-Force Trials. Vistry has also earned Gold in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and continues to support service leavers into construction careers.

Simplyhealth has donated £150,000 to continue supporting its Women’s Healthcare Charity Alliance. Now in its second year, the Alliance brings together charities tackling women’s health issues, including Bloody Good Period, The Miscarriage Association, Ovarian Cancer Action, Endometriosis UK, Prevent Breast Cancer, and Wellbeing of Women. Their mission? To challenge taboos and drive change in workplace support for women’s health.

Conclusion

As we navigate 2025, it’s clear that corporate-charity partnerships are not just surviving—they’re thriving. While challenges in the charity sector remain, there are countless inspiring collaborations driving real change. From innovative funding models to creative employee engagement initiatives, these partnerships are making a tangible impact on communities and causes. By celebrating these successes, we not only acknowledge the hard work of corporate partnerships professionals but also inspire more organisations to think boldly about what they can achieve together.

We hope this newsletter serves as a source of motivation and insight, reminding you that impactful partnerships are happening every day. If you have a story of a corporate-charity collaboration that deserves to be highlighted, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s continue to champion the power of partnerships, share best practices, and build a future where businesses and charities work together to create lasting, positive change. If you’re interested in learning more about these fantastic partnerships, we have attached the links below under the References column.

If you’re looking for your next opportunity in fundraising or seeking expert advice on advancing your career, I’d be happy to assist.

Moses Thomas-Johnson
Associate Consultant – Fundraising
moses.johnson@merrifieldconsultants.co.uk | 020 7759 7929

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