Dominic Smith — Corporate Fundraising & Strategic Partnership Specialist

Dominic Smith is a results-driven corporate fundraising consultant with more than a decade of experience in securing and managing impactful private sector partnerships. His expertise spans the full corporate engagement lifecycle, from identifying new business opportunities to executing high-value, multi-year collaborations.

What sets Dom apart is his ability to align corporate social responsibility (CSR) priorities with the missions of NGOs and charities. Through a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, he has helped organisations across sectors — including international development, education, environment, and youth — to significantly increase their corporate income.

Areas of Expertise

Dom offers a comprehensive skill set, making him a valuable asset to any organisation seeking to scale its fundraising efforts. His core strengths include:

  • New business development and prospect pipeline management

  • Building strategic, values-aligned corporate partnerships

  • Leading Charity of the Year bids and corporate pitch strategies

  • Creating integrated cause marketing campaigns

  • Maximising employee engagement and workplace giving

  • Structuring and securing corporate sponsorships

  • Developing innovative fundraising products and partnership models

  • Writing successful applications for corporate foundation grants

Career Achievements

Over the course of his career, Dom has consistently delivered measurable results:

  • At Restless Development, he led the global corporate fundraising function. He designed and implemented a partnership strategy that grew income by 430%, building a portfolio of 30+ corporate partners and securing multiple six-figure commitments.

  • He negotiated a £1.4 million strategic partnership between ActionAid UK and McCain Foods, promoting women’s rights and climate-smart farming in Brazil — a standout success in sustainable development funding.

  • Dom also played a key role in managing and growing corporate sponsorships for flagship fundraising events such as The Schools Triathlon and the Ultimate News Quiz, bringing on board brands like Flight Centre, Octopus, Cazenove, and the Premier League.

Recognition

Dominic’s work has not gone unnoticed. He was:

  • Nominated for the Institute of Fundraising’s Rising Star Award in 2018

  • Part of the ActionAid UK fundraising team nominated for Best Fundraising Team in 2021

  • Lead strategist on Restless Development’s UK Aid Match bid, successfully securing £1 million and six media partnerships to amplify impact

Consulting Experience

In addition to full-time roles, Dom provides strategic advice to charities and international NGOs. His consultancy clients have included:

  • IntoUniversity

  • Tanzanian Children’s Fund

  • Young People Cornwall

  • Montessori Group

  • The Tor Project, where he built connections with European tech companies on behalf of the open-source privacy organisation

What Makes Dom Different?

Unlike many fundraisers, Dominic combines creativity with structure. He builds strong, scalable processes while keeping the relationship-driven core of fundraising intact. He thrives in complex, cross-sector environments where alignment between corporate and charitable goals is essential.

Above all, Dom is passionate about helping mission-led organisations increase their reach and resilience through strategic corporate partnerships.

📩 To discuss partnership opportunities or tailored support, get in touch today.

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