Case Study: Canine Companions for Independence achieves record online fundraising and donor growth with Merkle

Winning Together with Corporate Cause Marketing

Canine Companions for Independence engaged Merkle (through its Merkle Nonprofit practice) to help diversify fundraising and reach new audiences by developing a cause-marketing partnership with a long‑time corporate dog food sponsor. The nonprofit’s challenge was to raise funds for training assistance dogs and to grow its donor contact list and awareness among dog‑loving prospects.

Merkle implemented two multi‑channel campaigns — a puppy naming vote and an “Initial Puppy Offering™” (IPO) fundraising drive that leveraged the corporate partner’s $100,000 “IPO Angel Investor” gift with a 2‑for‑1 match, plus a live webcam feed and social promotion — producing $134,050 total revenue (including $107,950 online in 7 weeks, the highest online haul in Canine Companions’ history), 26% first‑time donors, more than 4,200 name votes (37% of voters became new email subscribers) and a 20% lift in Facebook fans. Merkle’s work strengthened the corporate partnership, grew Canine Companions’ supporter base and delivered measurable fundraising and awareness gains.

Canine Companions for Independence