In the speedy world of nonprofit-corporate partnerships, the game is changing—and those who want to thrive need to evolve with it. Host Julia Patrick sits down with Zach Leverenz, the visionary CEO of SEED SPOT, to uncover strategies that not only land corporate partnerships but make them sustainable, high-impact relationships that transform communities.

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Zach doesn’t hold back. He shares powerful insights into how nonprofits must move beyond the old model of simply asking for charitable donations. "More and more, what we've seen is that getting really targeted and intentional about how the nonprofit understands the incentives and value they can provide to a corporate partner...is something that's overlooked oftentimes by nonprofit leaders," he explains. It’s a subtle shift, but one that unlocks immense opportunities for nonprofit organizations willing to think big.

At SEED SPOT, Zach and his team master the art of forging partnerships that deliver mutual benefits. One standout example is their collaboration with Humana Foundation and Volunteers of America. Together, they tackle health equity in underserved communities—an initiative that perfectly aligns the mission of each partner. Zach describes, "This is a case where we’re not compromising at all. In fact, we're amplifying and accelerating the impact we can have through a more intentional look at how corporate sponsors think about their own goals."

The key to building these powerhouse partnerships? Communication and trust. Zach stresses that successful partnerships aren’t one-off transactions—they’re deeply relational, requiring ongoing dialogue and shared vision. “Good partnerships are relational, they're not transactional. We are all humans, and we communicate and trust and build relationships with each other,” he says, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what makes these relationships flourish.

If you're ready to take your nonprofit to the next level, watch this episode and learn how to rethink your approach corporate partnerships. Zach makes it clear: the future belongs to those who create win-win alliances where everyone is invested, engaged, and driving toward real, measurable change. This isn’t just about writing a check—it’s about rewriting the rulebook for impact.

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