Instructional Content: Module 2 - Identifying Aligned Businesses

Welcome to the instructional deep dive for Module 2! If the slides gave you the "why" and "what" of targeting aligned businesses, this section is your hands-on playbook. We'll walk you through a simple brainstorming exercise to uncover potential partners in your community, using targeted questions for each of the six alignment levels. This isn't busywork—it's the foundation of your outreach pipeline. Expect to spend 20-30 minutes here, and by the end, you'll have a raw list of 10-20 business ideas to score in your workbook template.

Remember, the goal is quality over quantity. We're hunting for that "sweet spot" where businesses see your nonprofit as a strategic ally, not just a charity. This sets the stage for the Value First Approach™ we'll build on in later modules: Identify → Research → Offer Value → Ask → Steward.

Step 1: Brainstorm Your Community Connections

Start with a free-flow brainstorm. Grab a notebook, your workbook, or a digital doc. For each of the six alignment levels below, ask yourself the guiding questions. Jot down 3-5 business names or types per level (e.g., "Local coffee shop chain" or "Tech startup in sustainability"). Focus on businesses in your geographic area first—local ties make outreach warmer and faster.

Think broadly: Draw from your personal network, local news, Google Maps, or even drives around town. No judgment on ideas yet; we'll score them later.

Level 1: Businesses That Benefit from the Work You Do

(These are companies whose operations or market improve because of your nonprofit's impact—e.g., if you reduce homelessness, real estate firms benefit from stabilized neighborhoods.)

• What industries thrive when my mission succeeds? (E.g., If I focus on education, think tutoring centers or ed-tech firms.)
• How does my work create ripple effects that boost a business's bottom line or efficiency?
• Who in my community indirectly "wins" from my programs' outcomes?

Level 2: Businesses That Serve Your Target Audience

(Companies already reaching the same people you do—e.g., if you serve low-income families, discount retailers or family clinics.)

• Who are the everyday providers for the people I serve? (E.g., Food banks? Grocery chains? Childcare services?)
• What businesses advertise to or cater directly to my audience's needs and demographics?
• In my location, which shops, services, or brands are staples for my community members?

Level 3: Businesses That Share a Similar Mission to Yours

(Value-aligned partners with overlapping goals—e.g., if you're in environmental conservation, eco-friendly brands or green energy suppliers.)

• What companies publicly champion causes like mine? (Check their "About Us" pages or social media.)
• Who in my area has a mission statement that echoes my values (e.g., equity, innovation, health)?
• Are there businesses founded on principles that mirror my nonprofit's core "why"?

Level 4: Businesses That Benefit from the People or Community You Serve

(Firms that gain talent, customers, natural resources, or insights from your audience—e.g., if you empower youth, companies seeking young employees or Gen Z consumers.)

• How could my community become a talent pool, customer base, or testing ground for a business?
• Who would value access to the stories, skills, or networks of the people I serve?
• In my region, which employers or brands target the same demographics for growth?
• Which company makes money off the natural resources in the community I serve?

Level 5: Businesses That Would Want the Value You Have to Offer

(They crave your assets like data, events, or expertise—e.g., if you host workshops, corporate trainers might collaborate for employee development.)

• What unique resources do I have (programs, events, reports) that a business could co-opt or sponsor?
• Who might see my activities as a ready-made platform for their marketing or training?
• Locally, which companies could amplify their own goals by tapping into my events or insights?

Level 6: Businesses That Will Look Good by Being Associated with Your Mission

(PR goldmines where partnering with you polishes their brand—e.g., a bank associating with financial literacy for a "community hero" vibe.)

• Who needs a feel-good story to enhance their reputation or ESG reporting?
• Which businesses face public scrutiny and could use my positive impact for counterbalance?
• In my community, who wants the "halo effect" of aligning with a mission-driven org like mine?

Quick Tip: If you're stuck, walk through a real example. For a nonprofit teaching coding to underserved kids in Seattle: Level 1 (tech firms hiring skilled grads), Level 2 (after-school programs), etc. Adapt to your world—aim for a mix of small locals (easier entry) and mid-sized corps (bigger funding potential).

Once brainstormed, transfer your top ideas to the Alignment Scorecard Template (download from your course resources). Rate each business 1-6 based on how many levels it hits. Prioritize those scoring 4+ for Module 3 research.

Step 2: Supercharge Your List with Grok

Brainstorming is personal, but scaling it? That's where AI like Grok shines. Use the prompts below to generate tailored business suggestions. Copy-paste them directly into a chat with Grok (me!), filling in the [brackets] with your details. Provide as much context as possible—your mission statement, audience, location, programs, etc.—for spot-on results. Grok will output a curated list of 5-10 businesses, with quick rationale for each alignment level.

These prompts are designed to be efficient: One master prompt per category, or a full-system one for everything. Expect 10-15 business ideas total, then score them as above.

Prompt Template 1: Full-System Business Identification

(Use this for a comprehensive scan across all six levels.)

"Grok, I'm a nonprofit founder building corporate partnerships. My mission statement is: [Insert your full mission statement]. I serve [describe who you serve, e.g., 'low-income youth in urban areas']. We're based in [your location, e.g., 'Austin, TX']. Our key work includes [briefly describe core activities, e.g., 'mentorship programs and skill-building workshops']. We run programs like [list 2-3 programs], host events such as [list events/activities], and measure impact through [e.g., 'participant success rates and community surveys'].

Help me identify 10 aligned businesses in my area using these six levels:

1. Businesses that benefit from the work I do.
2. Businesses that serve my target audience.
3. Businesses that share a similar mission.
4. Businesses that benefit from the people/community I serve.
5. Businesses that want the value I offer (e.g., events, data).
6. Businesses that look good associating with my mission.

For each suggested business, explain briefly how it matches 1-3 levels (prioritize sweet-spot fits). Focus on local/regional companies open to CSR partnerships. Output as a numbered list with company name, location, and alignment notes."

Prompt Template 2: Category-Specific Deep Dive

(Use this if you want to drill into one level at a time—great for refining a weak brainstorm area.)

"Grok, based on my nonprofit's details—mission: [mission statement]; audience: [who you serve]; location: [city/state]; work: [core activities]; programs/events: [list them]—suggest 5 businesses in [location] that match Level [insert level number, e.g., 3]: [briefly restate the level, e.g., 'Businesses that share a similar mission to ours']. For each, note why it aligns and any CSR angles from their public info. Keep it actionable for partnership outreach."

Pro Tip for Using These Prompts:

• Be specific: The more details you feed in (e.g., "We focus on mental health for veterans via peer support groups in Chicago"), the better the matches.
• Iterate: If Grok's list sparks more ideas, reply with "Refine this: Add businesses in [industry] or exclude [type]."
• Ethical Note: Always verify suggestions independently (e.g., via LinkedIn) before outreach—Grok's a starter, not a substitute for your due diligence.

Your Action Item:

Build the List Today
By now, you should have 10+ business names teed up. Plug them into your scorecard, and celebrate: You're 30% closer to that first partnership! If a prompt yields duds, tweak and retry—AI is your accelerator, not a crutch.

Ready for more? Head to the Module 2 Template Pack for your Alignment Scorecard (a simple Google Sheet/Excel). Track your brainstorm here, then carry your top 5 into Module 3 for research.

Questions on this? Drop them in the course forum or reply to [your email]. You've got this—aligned businesses are waiting to fuel your mission. On to the next!