Unlocking Corporate Support for Social Enterprises, Charities and CICs

Could Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) help your organisation access funding, resources, expertise or new partnerships?

Many businesses are keen to support their local communities through their CSR programmes, but knowing who to approach, what to ask for and how to make a successful request can be challenging.

Join the East Midlands Social Enterprise Network (EMSEN) for an evening of practical advice, real-world experiences, and networking as we explore how social enterprises, charities, and CICs can access corporate support.

What to Expect

🎤 Richard Donovan – Experian

We're delighted to welcome Richard Donovan from Experian, who will share insights into how businesses approach Corporate Social Responsibility and what organisations can do to improve their chances of securing support.

Richard will cover:

What makes a strong CSR request – How to present your organisation and its needs effectively.

What businesses are looking for – The types of projects and organisations most likely to attract CSR support.

Common mistakes to avoid – Understanding what can weaken an application or approach.

How CSR requests are reviewed – Insights into what businesses consider when deciding which organisations to support.

Building successful relationships – Practical tips for developing meaningful, long-term partnerships with businesses.

💡 Community Case Study – CSR in Action

We'll also hear from a representative of a community organisation who will share their first-hand experience of approaching businesses for CSR support.

They'll talk about how they identified potential corporate supporters, made their initial approaches, navigated the application process and what they learned along the way.

This will provide a valuable perspective from an organisation that has been through the process, including the challenges, successes and practical lessons others can learn from.

🤝 Networking and Collaboration

As always, there will be plenty of opportunities to connect with other social enterprises, charities, CICs, and purpose-driven organisations from across the East Midlands.

You'll have the opportunity to introduce yourself and your organisation, share your experiences and explore potential opportunities to collaborate.

Who Should Attend?

This event is ideal for:

Social enterprises, charities, and CICs looking for corporate support.

Community organisations seeking funding, resources, or business partnerships.

Fundraisers and business development professionals.

Organisations wanting to develop their approach to CSR.

Businesses interested in supporting social impact.

Anyone passionate about strengthening the social enterprise sector.

Whether you've never approached a business for support or you're looking to improve your existing CSR relationships, you'll leave with practical ideas you can put into action.

Event Details

📅 Wednesday 4 November 2026

🕔 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

📍 Dryden Enterprise Centre, Nottingham

🎟️ Tickets: £5

Supporting the NG Community Impact Fund

A proportion of ticket income helps support the NG Community Impact Fund, EMSEN's micro-grant initiative providing financial support to grassroots organisations and projects creating positive social impact.

By attending, you'll gain valuable knowledge and connections while helping us reinvest in the local social enterprise community.

Book Your Place

CSR isn't just about asking businesses for money. It's about building relationships that create shared value and lasting community impact.

Join us to discover how to approach businesses with confidence, make stronger requests and develop partnerships that benefit everyone involved.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Description supplied by the event organiser.