Over the past six months, I’ve had the privilege of taking part in the Bright Spot Corporate Fundraising Mastery Programme, and it has been an incredibly positive and rewarding experience.
As Corporate Fundraising Manager at the Child Brain Injury Trust, I’m passionate about helping children and families affected by childhood-acquired brain injury (ABI). Taking part in this programme has given me the chance to explore new ways to grow my skills, reach a wider audience, and strengthen how we build meaningful partnerships that create lasting impact.
The course encouraged us to think creatively about how we engage with corporate partners: from offering “test drives” that allow supporters to experience the difference their support makes, to using the power of storytelling to highlight the reality of living with an acquired brain injury. These approaches have shown me that authentic connection and shared purpose are key to building strong, sustainable partnerships.
I’ve had the opportunity to learn from professionals with extensive experience in corporate fundraising, which has helped me to refine my approach, think differently, and recognise my strengths. The other participants came from a wide range of charities, each bringing unique experiences and insights. Together, we built a supportive and inspiring community of learning and growth.
The lessons I’ve taken away have helped me focus on what our corporate partnerships should look like and who we want to partner with. I’m now excited to be launching a new partnership offer for our supporters very soon.
At CBIT, we know that every organisation is unique, and we celebrate the individuality of our supporters. But we also recognise the strength that comes from shared values. Our future partnerships will highlight both individuality and collaboration, to show the incredible difference that working with us can make to children and families living with childhood-acquired brain injury.
Corporate support plays a vital role in helping us deliver our mission. When companies choose to stand alongside us, they help children rebuild confidence, families find hope, and schools access the tools they need to support recovery. Together, we can make a lasting difference for every child and every family affected by acquired brain injury.
There are so many ways for organisations to get involved, including:
- Charity of the Year – championing our cause and raising vital funds throughout the year.
- Sponsorship opportunities – supporting our events and campaigns to increase your brand visibility while helping families across the UK.
- Employee fundraising – encouraging teams to take part in runs, challenges, or themed events to raise funds and awareness.
- Payroll giving and matched donations – simple and impactful ways to make ongoing contributions.
- Cause-related marketing – aligning your products or services with our mission to elevate both brands while doing good.
If you’d like to learn more about our work or explore how your organisation can make a difference for children with acquired brain injury, I’d love to hear from you. Simply email me at emmapilling@cbituk.org.