CauseConnect® is a marketing consulting firm that specializes in helping companies and charities achieve business returns on charitable investments.™ Founded in 1999, CauseConnect begin by providing unprecedented networking opportunities for corporate and nonprofit executives responsible for sponsorship, cause marketing, and corporate giving. Growing demand evolved into the CauseConnect of today.
MISSION
CauseConnect seeks to develop meaningful relationships between companies and charities that result in mutually beneficial outcomes.
VISION
CauseConnect helps companies and charities in a manner that:
- Recognizes respective assets.
- Optimizes complementary strengths.
- Fulfills stated expectations.
- Anticipates unanticipated needs.
- Leverages the complete range of marketing and philanthropic opportunities.
- Engages what each partner brings to the table, including reputation, staffing, and expertise.
- Achieves measurable results derived from predetermined goals.
OUR TEAM
CauseConnect maintains a roster of qualified individuals who possess expertise in a variety of areas from the corporate and nonprofit sectors. This allows us to provide our clients with an array of services that integrate doing business by doing good.™
Melissa Richardson Banks is known for producing successful corporate-nonprofit partnerships tied to cause marketing. Since 1989, she has raised over $40 million and provided professional services to numerous companies and charities. Her client roster includes City National Bank, Toyota Financial Corporation, Target Corporation, Cheech Marin, Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center for the Arts & Education, and many more. Previously, she worked for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles where she successfully started an inaugural corporate partnership program in support of the Los Angeles Public Library. She also spearheaded a new exhibitions program at Central Library, managing project teams for almost 40 major shows and providing professional services such as sponsorship, marketing, community outreach, special events, volunteer engagement, contract negotiation, and budget management. She formerly worked at the Autry National Center where she launched an integrated marketing/sponsorship program and Texas A&M University where she managed statewide business-school partnerships. Prior to the nonprofit arena, she worked in corporate sales, marketing, and Hispanic market research. She holds a B.A. in journalism and communication studies from Texas State University and a master’s degree (and Ph.D. coursework) in educational administration with an emphasis on business and finance from Texas A&M University.
