Episode of The Nonprofit Compliance Brief — practical guidance on charitable solicitation compliance.
Episode Summary:
Cause marketing partnerships can expand visibility and fundraising opportunities for nonprofits, but they also introduce specific compliance requirements that are often overlooked. This episode examines how commercial co-venture and cause marketing arrangements are regulated, including registration, contract, and disclosure obligations that may apply in certain states. The discussion helps nonprofits understand how partnerships with businesses can change compliance responsibilities and what steps organizations should take before launching a campaign.
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Educational podcast for nonprofit leadership and compliance teams covering charitable solicitation registration and multi-state fundraising requirements.
Episode Length: 25 minutes
Release Date: February 26, 2026
Series: The Nonprofit Compliance Brief
New episodes released weekly covering nonprofit compliance and multi-state fundraising.
Key Topics Covered
- What qualifies as cause marketing or a commercial co-venture
- State regulations governing business–nonprofit fundraising partnerships
- Contract requirements and filing obligations
- Required consumer and donor disclosures
- Registration requirements for commercial co-venturers
- Revenue tracking and reporting expectations
- Marketing language and transparency considerations
- Multi-state compliance risks for national promotions
- Common mistakes nonprofits make in cause marketing campaigns
- Practical compliance planning before launching partnerships
Episode Overview
Cause marketing campaigns — where a business promotes sales tied to charitable donations — can be highly effective for both nonprofits and corporate partners. This episode explores how these arrangements are regulated differently from traditional fundraising. Many states treat cause marketing as a commercial co-venture, requiring specific agreements, disclosures, and sometimes registrations designed to ensure transparency for consumers and donors.
The discussion highlights how compliance responsibilities are shared but not always clearly understood between nonprofits and their corporate partners. Organizations may assume the business manages regulatory requirements, while businesses may expect the nonprofit to oversee compliance. Without clear planning, campaigns can unintentionally create regulatory exposure, particularly when promotions reach audiences across multiple states.
Designed for nonprofit executives, development teams, and board members, this episode provides a practical framework for evaluating cause marketing opportunities responsibly. By understanding compliance expectations early, nonprofits can participate in partnerships that expand fundraising reach while maintaining transparency, regulatory confidence, and donor trust.
Unsure whether your organization needs to register before fundraising? We help nonprofits evaluate requirements across all states.
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Who Should Listen
- Executive directors planning fundraising expansion
- Development and fundraising teams
- Finance and compliance staff
- Board members overseeing risk management
- Organizations launching online donation programs
Related Compliance Resources
- Charitable Solicitation Registration Services
- Multi-State Fundraising Compliance Guide
- Cause Marketing and Commercial Co-venturer Compliance
- Charitable Solicitation Registration Requirements
Episode Transcript
About The Nonprofit Compliance Brief
The Nonprofit Compliance Brief explores the regulatory and operational realities nonprofits face as fundraising expands across multiple jurisdictions. Each episode explains complex compliance topics in clear, practical terms to help organizations understand requirements before they become problems.
Learn more and browse all episodes on The Nonprofit Compliance Brief Podcast.
About the Host
The podcast is produced by Ironwood Registrations. The firm focuses exclusively on charitable solicitation registration and multi-state compliance management for nonprofit organizations.
Discuss Your Compliance Questions
If your organization is evaluating fundraising expansion or navigating multi-state registration requirements, you may schedule a consultation to discuss your situation.
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