9. How to Keep Corporate Partners Engaged, Inspired, + Happy - Mary Kate Tolan
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Overview
Meet Mary Kate Tolan. The Oreo-loving Oregon girl is the Manager of the Youth Development Programs team at ALSAC St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Mary Kate is skilled in the cultivation, management, and stewardship of regional and national partners and leverages her passions for customer service and leadership development into these relationships! Tune in and hear 3 Tips for building deeper, more meaningful relationships with organizational partners.
“Danny Thomas built this hospital as a thank you to America. We hold onto his dream of ending childhood cancer.”
The mission and history of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
The innovative culture at ALSAC / St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
3 Key Takeaways for Partnership Management
Be solutions oriented for your partners / customer service is key
Where to start with building partnership relationships
The culture of storytelling at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Powerful Quotes:
“No family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, and food.“ - Mary Kate
“St. Jude brings people together, no matter what walk of life.” -Mary Kate
“If we don’t innovate ourselves, somebody else will. We need to disrupt ourselves and our fundraising initiatives. Our donor base will change and the world is changing too.” -Mary Kate
“We want to adapt in the space that our partners are in and lift their values up.” -Becky
“Learn your partner, learn the staff hierarchy, and learn how they tick and how they talk.” -Mary Kate
“If I haven’t said it this month, I haven’t said it at all.” -Mary Kate
“I’ve learned that people will always rise to your expectations, so you have to set them high.” -Mary Kate
“Know your mission. Stick to your guiding light.” -Mary Kate
“At the end of the day, we cannot get out the one size fits all playbook. When we choose to be unique and customized for our donors, we have them for life.” -Becky
3 Key Takeaways for Partnership Management
Get to know your corporate partner
Never say no (at least not right away!) to your corporate partner
Constantly remind partners of their impact
Connect with Mary Kate:
Connect with ALSAC / ST. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube
