UNICEF's corporate partnerships
UNICEF and Corporate Engagement
UNICEF works closely with multi-national corporations, national companies and small- to medium-sized businesses to identify, design and implement alliances that leverage the strengths of the corporate sector on behalf of the world's children.
Opportunities include efforts driven by multi-faceted partnerships, strategic philanthropy, cause-related marketing initiatives, employee-giving programmes, special events, greeting card sales, and support of emergency appeals.
By working together, companies help to support UNICEF’s programmes and emergency relief efforts as well as advance awareness campaigns on issues vital to children.
Multi-faceted partnerships:
Partnerships with companies take on many shapes and forms. They range from collaboratives on programme initiatives to partnerships that highlight and promote action on specific issues to campaigns to raise awareness and build support among stakeholder groups that advance UNICEF’s mission. All partnerships are characterized by a shared agenda, mutual respect, and a leveraging of each organization’s respective strengths.
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| © UNICEF 2006 |
| U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s Jay Aldous (l.), Kimberly-Clark’s Tina Barry, and Alticor’s Steve Van Andel at the 2006 Corporate Citizenship Awards gala. |
When a company supports the work of UNICEF through a grant, contribution or provision of in-kind assistance, it not only helps the world’s children, but can also strengthen its corporate image, demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility, bolster employee morale, and promote positive customer relations. Strategic philanthropic investments in UNICEF have great impact, for the scope and reach of UNICEF and its expertise in issues important to children is unparalleled. Often companies will complement their philanthropic efforts with other efforts in support of UNICEF involving their marketing and communications departments. Learn more about corporate philanthropy.
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| © UNICEF UK/03/Blonsky |
| UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore KBE at the launch of UNICEF and IKEA's 'BRUM Bear' initiative to raise funds for children affected by conflict in Africa. |
Signature cause-related marketing programmes allow a company to offer consumers the opportunity to support UNICEF with their product purchases. Linking a company’s sales campaign directly to UNICEF is an effective way for a brand or product to engage consumers, boost sales and enhance its corporate image. When UNICEF is the beneficiary of a cause-related marketing activity, it receives either a percentage of the retail price or a fixed amount negotiated with the company. Learn more about IKEA's cause-related marketing.
Consumer-fundraising initiatives can also be developed with UNICEF, whereby corporations engage their customers to support UNICEF either through direct-cash purchases or other innovative customer campaigns like Change for Good® or Check Out for Children™.
Employee Programmes There are many innovative and effective ways employees can be engaged in supporting UNICEF’s work. Some include e-philanthropy campaigns, online giving, automatic payroll deductions, UNICEF card purchases, and employee matching gift programmes.
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| © UNICEF Snowflake 2006 |
Special Events
Corporate partners can designate UNICEF as the beneficiary of their own fundraising activities or they can sponsor UNICEF special events. Learn more about UNICEF special events.
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| © IKEA |
| IKEA's in-store UNICEF greeting card display. |
Many of our corporate partners support UNICEF through the purchase, sale or distribution of our unique range of greeting cards and products, particularly during the year-end holiday season. Greeting cards are an effective way to communicate an alliance with UNICEF to consumers and clients.
Emergency Appeals
The critical support of corporate partners in response to emergency appeals helps UNICEF deliver life-saving supplies and assistance to children and families affected by natural disasters and violent conflict. Learn more about UNICEF's emergency relief efforts.
